Teacher suspended for immoral conduct

A PUBLIC school teacher was meted an eight-month suspension for living with another woman aside from his wife.

The Ombudsman-Visayas said it found sufficient basis to hold Rogelio Tines guilty of “disgraceful and immoral conduct.”

Regional Director Recaredo Borgonia of the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) was ordered to enforce the suspension against Tines who works in the Lawa-an Elementary School in Dumanjug town, Cebu.

“His actuations are contrary to prevailing community standards of conduct and this violated the trust reposed in his office,” said anti-graft investigator Ma. Regina Fernandez said.

The suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Tines’ wife Edna who claimed to be married with the respondent on Nov. 17, 1992.

Edna said Tines maintained a relationship with another woman.

Tines and his alleged paramour lived together in Dumanjug, Cebu with their child despite having five children with her, Edna said.

Edna said Tines should be held liable for concubinage because he is “cohabiting and maintaining a scandalous relationship with another woman.”

The anti-graft office gave Tines a chance to refute the allegations but he failed to waive his right to submit his defenses.

Disgraceful and immoral conduct is defined as “willful, flagrant, or shameless behavior which shows a moral indifference to the opinion of the good and respectable members of the community.” Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol