“Beautiful Girl” can’t join her family for Christmas

CEBU, Philippines - Will the Christmas be merry for the “Beautiful Girl” who is still being housed in a facility for minors after her series of brushes with the law?

Rose Jao, assistant Officer-in-charge of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said the minor may not be able to celebrate Christmas in her hometown in Sogod, Southern Leyte, since she has to undergo diversion program.

“She is very sad. She wants to celebrate Christmas at home. (But) She cannot go back yet sa Sogod because we have to process a lot of things. We did not assure her nga makapasko siya sa ilaha because there will be false hopes,” Jao told reporters.

The minor has been transferred to another facility accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Wednesday afternoon.  The minor’s aunt and elder sister finally visited her. But they cannot take custody of the minor yet, pending the psychosocial processes she has to undergo, Jao said.

Apart from this, Jao added that there is no order from the court yet for the release of the minor from their custody.

“We received a letter of authorization from the father letting us take care of the child,” she said.

She said they assured that the minor will be well safeguarded and provided with her needs while being housed in the facility.

The minor is facing complaints for estafa for allegedly not paying her three-day accommodation at a resort in Asturias town worth P15,000, and the services worth P2,000 she availed at a salon in Cebu City.

However, the beach resort owner in Asturias town has already executed an affidavit of desistance on Monday after somebody paid for the bill. But the minor’s camp is waiting for a decision from the court regarding the affidavit filed by the resort owner.

Her legal counsel said the mere filing of desistance does not by itself make the criminal case dismissible. (FREEMAN)