Raps eyed vs Comelec official for bullying teacher

DAVAO CITY, Philippines —The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) is considering the filing of charges against an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for allegedly threatening a teacher after he gave a low grade to his son.

AdDU president Joel Tabora said the action of Comelec-Davao director Remlani Tambuang could be considered parental bullying.

“The AdDU and its affected personnel will be taking the necessary steps and coordinating with…officials to ensure that complaints will be filed against the public official and lawyer,” Tabora said in a statement on Thursday.

Tabora did not identify Tambuang, who was named in the police blotter filed by Gerry Ariz Bambico. The teacher claimed Tambuang was accompanied by a bodyguard and some relatives when the Comelec official confronted him.

“When a parent, accompanied by relatives and bodyguards, comes in brandishing statements like, ‘We are a family of lawyers and killers or we can take down this school,’ these are statements the AdDU…can only take very seriously as they threaten the safety and security of its personnel,” Tabora said. 

He said parents need not resort to threats in dealing with teachers on the performance of their children. 

“The AdDU is a safe zone not only for its students, but also for its teachers who ought to be able to teach and give out grades accordingly, free from intimidation and threats from parents or any related persons or personalities,” Tabora said. – Janvic Mateo