STC: Dismissal of habeas data weakens case filed by students

SAINT Theresa’s College  yesterday reiterated its claim that there was nothing illegal in extracting from Facebook the alleged “lewd” photos of its students.

In a press conference yesterday, STC lawyer Joan Largo said the school was just implementing its policy against five of its students.

With the dismissal of the habeas data petition, STC is hopeful the criminal cases against them will also be dropped.

“STC was simply enforcing its very clear policy on the conduct of students as a Catholic school,” said Largo.

A Cebu City court recently dismissed the petition for habeas data which was meant to recover all photos of the girls who were prohibited by the school from joining their graduation rites last March 30.

Regional Trial Court Judge Raphael Yrastorza of branch 14 did not find sufficient evidence to hold STC liable for taking alleged “lewd” photos of the students from their Facebook accounts.

Largo said the dismissal of the case is welcome as it would educate people on cyber responsibility.

In his decision, Yrastorza agreed with STC’s claims that the girls who uploaded the photos on Facebook could not expect complete privacy.

Yrastorza further ruled that the remedy of habeas data cannot apply to the STC students in the case as there was no sufficient showing of evidence that the life, liberty and security of the parents or on the minors in the case were threatened.

“So the judge consider the fact. Aside from that, the judge also took note that there is no violation to the right of privacy,” she said./Intern Jessa P. Omega And Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol