Facebook lessons

The recent controversy about the high school students who were denied participation in graduation rites in Saint Theresa’s College because they allegedly posted lewd photos on their Facebook accounts apart from other offenses should be a lesson to our students especially those studying in Catholic Schools.

Social networking is a fad, but students and parents should remember that there are rules to be observed with vigilance. The presumption is that rules are made for the good of the students and that is why they must be followed strictly.

While freedom of expression must be respected, students and parents must also be reminded that every act bears consequences. But schools and universities should be prudent in imposing sanctions on  their erring students taking into consideration the requirements of due process of law.

* * *

The pictures of a trapped whale shark on the front page of  Cebu Daily News showing  people playing with the animal in Boljoon town  was quite disturbing. The way they handled the whale sharks was harmful to these creatures.

Residents there  should be  careful and not abuse the whale sharks because they may disrupt their migration pattern.

Government agencies should intervene and regulate activities that involve whale sharks.  Since it’s summer, it’s  expected that more people will go down south to see these  gentle giants.

* * *

I hope that our courts will help settle the controversy surrounding the Rallos case that has been  weighing down Cebu City  for decades.

Mayor Mike Rama is fighting tooth and nail to protect the interest of the city by refusing to pay the Rallos heirs for  property that was expropriated by the city government long time ago.

Mayor Rama visited the area and saw for himself the condition of the area.  He refuses to pay because he found out that the Rallos family had donated part of the property to the city through a convenio that was approved by the Court of First Instance.

Second,  the city government already paid the Rallos family  P50 million for the property in the sala of Judge Ycong.

Third, the property that was expropriated by the city government is now occupied by informal settlers. The road can no longer be  located.  Why didn’t the previous administrations discover and present these matters to the court?

Mayor Rama has gone to the Court of Appeals to seek a reprieve from the hasty execution by the sheriff of the court order.

Should Cebu City pay the Rallos family?  I think Rama’s arguments for not doing so are tenable. Rama is correct in seeking remedy from the courts to obtain justice in behalf of the people of Cebu City.