Fiscal clears STC in FB pics case

Fiscal clears STC in FB pics case

THE Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed another one of the criminal complaints filed by a student and her mother against the St. Theresa’s College (STC).

Prosecutor Van Russel Inopiquez found insufficient evidence to charge Sister Celeste Ma. Purisima Pe, principal of the STC high school department,

with unjust vexation in relation to Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

The complainant was one of the four students who were barred from attending the graduation rites last March 30. They allegedly violated school policy when photos of them in skimpy attire were circulated on Facebook.

The girls tried to join the commencement exercise after they obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) from Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro.

But for her part, Pe said the complainants cannot use the TRO because questions over its “validity and propriety” were pending in court at the time.

Prosecutor Inopiquez, in his resolution, said “bare allegations” are not equivalent to proof under the Rules of Court when there is no evidence.

“There is no evidence that (Sister Pe) closed the gate of the school campus, neither ordered the school guards to close the gate and not allow them to enter,” he said.

Last March 28, Judge Navarro issued the TRO ordering STC to stop enforcing its sanction on a few students who were penalized for posting “obscene” photos on Facebook.

He asked the school to allow the students to “fully participate” in the graduation.

Despite the TRO, the girls did not manage to attend their commencement rites. STC’s lawyers maintained they did nothing illegal.