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The Sto. Nino Parochial School is defying a Court of Appeals (CA) order to release the certificate of good moral character of its salutatorian, Krisel Mallari, according to Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda Acosta.
Acosta said they waited at the school’s registrar’s office for 30 minutes to get Mallari’s GMC. However, the school refused to issue the said certificate.
According to the PAO chief, the school argued that it has yet to receive the CA order.
But Acosta said she checked the CA’s server and saw that the order was already received by the school.
Acosta said she will file a motion to cite school officials in contempt.
In an 8-page order, dated July 29, penned by Associate Justice Socorro Inting, the appellate court’s Second Division granted Mallari’s plea for a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction and ordered the issuance of the certificate to Mallari.
“It is of judicial notice that the [University of Sto. Tomas] starts its classes for the first semester anytime within the month of August 2015. In this regard and considering that time [is] of the essence, this court reiterates its order that SNPS should issue a Certificate of Good Moral Character in favor of Krisel immediately upon receipt of this resolution,” the CA said.
The certificate is a requirement for Mallari’s admission into UST’s accountancy program. The university gave Mallari up to July 15 to comply with the requirement, which led Mallari to request for an extension.
The appellate court stressed that Mallari is a minor who was merely expressing her own views and opinions during the graduation rites last March 21st and “should not be punished arbitrarily for exercising her right to freedom of expression.”
“Krisel, just like any other child, commits transgressions and therefore, must be disciplined. However, the manner by which she is disciplined should not go to the extent of spoiling or destroying her dreams and aspirations.”
“Krisel’s welfare is of paramount interest and of primordial consideration and the state is mandated to act on her behalf to ensure that her rights are protected and her dreams and hopes are not put to waste,” the CA said.
The appellate court also ordered SNPS and its registrar, Yolanda Casero, to comment on Mallari’s petition within a period of 10 days. —from reports by Dexter Ganibe, dzMM and Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
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