Despite a “scolding” from the Court of Appeals (CA), Sto. Niño Parochial School (SNPS) in Quezon City is questioning the basis for issuing a certificate of good moral character to 16-year-old Krisel Mallari, who allegedly vilified her alma mater in her graduation speech in March.
“The question is, is there a legal basis to demand [that] the school… issue a certificate of good moral character?” SNPS lawyer Maritonie Renee Resurreccion said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “With everything that has transpired, after vilifying the name and reputation of the school, how can we now issue a certificate of good moral character?”
The lawyer was reacting to the news that the CA’s Second Division had ordered SNPS to immediately issue the certificate, saying the school’s “act of vengeance” should not stop the high school graduate from having a “bright future.” She said the school would wait for a copy of the court ruling.
School officials in March prevented the class salutatorian from finishing her speech because it insinuated that there were discrepancies in the computation of her grades. The incident was caught on video and went viral on the web.
Persida Acosta, head of the Public Attorney’s Office who is representing Mallari, said that as of Wednesday afternoon, the school was still refusing to comply with the appellate court’s order.
“We will be constrained to ask for a contempt order [from the court],” Acosta added. Mallari needs the certificate to comply with the requirements set by the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) where she has been accepted as an accountancy freshman.
According to Resurreccion, the school had already provided Mallari with her transfer credentials, particularly the transcript of records and certificate of eligibility for admission to college.
She said SNPS had initiated a settlement asking Mallari and her parents for a written acknowledgment that it exercised special parental authority over their daughter as a minor under its care.
“They said she was not allowed to exercise her freedom of expression when her graduation speech was interrupted. But as a parent, you can do that and that is not contrary to law or morals. The school exercises special parental authority given to it by the law,” Resurreccion told the Inquirer.
But the CA noted that “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,” read the ruling penned by Associate Justice Socorro Inting.
The court also said the “unreasonable nonissuance” of Mallari’s certificate “appears to be an act of vengeance [that] adversely affects the bright future awaiting Krisel.”
The school’s “stubborn refusal” placed Mallari’s “desire to pursue her higher education at the university of her choice and her dream of becoming an accountant… on the brink of being shattered,” it said.
The Department of Education earlier ordered the school to issue the certificate but the directive was ignored. The Mallaris filed a case against SNPS in a Quezon City court but their petition was denied, prompting them to go to the CA.
Mallari welcomed the CA ruling: “I am relieved because my right to study will now come true. I need that certificate so I can move on to my next journey in life.”
“I learned that no matter how difficult the challenge is, you have to be strong. That’s the way for you to be successful. Face all challenges in life, do not turn your back,” she told the reporters. With a report from Veronica Roque
Editors Note. This story has been updated to correct the statement attributed to the school lawyer, in particular the phrase “after vilifying the name and reputation [NOT: the vision] of the school.” The original version was based on a mishearing of the recorded interview. Our sincere apologies.
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