Students join class photo, to get cards

AFTER being barred from attending last Friday’s graduation, the five high school students of St. Theresa’s College will be allowed to join their fellow graduates in posing for their class picture.

Sr. Celeste Ma. Purisima Pe, high school principal, said the five girls can get their report cards today.

She said their grades were unaffected except for their personality grade that was raised from D to C for “humanitarian” reasons.

The report cards will serve as a requirement for enrollment in tertiary education.

This came even as the parents of one of the girls will file contempt charges against the STC officials today.

In refusing to allow them to join the graduation, the officials said the girls violated four provisions in the school rules that prohibit possession and drinking of alcoholic drinks outside the school campus.

The school officials noted that the Facebook photos of the girls showed them clad in swimwear that showed off ample body exposure.

STC lawyer Romeo Balili earlier explained that the school found no reason to comply with the court’s temporary restraining order, which he said was “defective” because the judge didn’t order a bond for possible damages.

In an interview, one of the parents who requested anonymity said they were informed by school officials ahead of time that their daughters won’t be allowed to join the graduation rites even if the court permitted them.

Though knowing they would be barred from entering the school premises, the mother said they decided to try going to STC in time for the graduation ceremony last Friday.

She said they were told by school officials that the latter won’t obey the court ruling since STC’s motion for reconsideration hasn’t been resolved yet. /Marian Z. Codilla, Reporter