Pisay scholars want schoolmates banned from graduation over online pics

Several students of the Philippine Science High School  and their parents are up in arms over the reported decision of the Board of the Trustees to allow six of their schoolmates to graduate despite pending cases of child abuse and cybercrime.

The students allegedly posted online private and unseemly photos of female students, some of whom are minors.

Scores of students and parents held a rally on Thursday in front of the PSHS main campus in Quezon City to demand that the BOT reverse its decision and to express support for the victims.

"If you choose to fight, we are here for you and we will stand behind you. So please find in your heart that you're ready to speak up, we're here," student organizer Ericka Aala said.

Campus director Dr. Lawrence Madriaga said the school respected the action but advised the protesters to file a formal appeal before the BOT.

"While we recognize the fact na they have the right to express, the official thing to do is put it in writing," Madriaga said.

Underage victims, no consent

In s statement posted on Facebook, the batch council and a group of students condemned the decision of the BOT “concerning the eligibility of graduation of select students in the batch.”

The graduation rites is scheduled on May 29.

“The evidence before the PSHS-MC Student Discipline Office has proven that some students were in possession of voyeuristic images of several female students which were then uploaded and shared online without consent from the subjects of these images,” the statement said.

"The victims testified that they were underage when their pictures were taken, and to reiterate, all pictures were distributed without their consent," it added.

The statement claimed that the student discipline office found that these students “committed multiple counts of voyeurism which includes the posting of indecent or lewd photos or videos on the internet."

It said that such offense violated the PSHS Student Code of Conducts and constituted a “level III offense.”

‘Damaged dignities’

The statement also said the alleged acts of the students violated provisions of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“The dignities of the victims have been damaged.  The offenders have reduced them to mere objects of sexual desire, instead of human beings who deserve utmost respect,” the statement said.

“A lenient decision is not an act of compassion. Instead, it is an insult to the sanctity of the graduation rites themselves. The decision has undermined the validity of the rules and policies of the school . . . It is a manifestation of the rampant silencing of victims of sexual harassment and cybercrime done in order to protect the reputation and good name of those who have wronged them,” it added.

One case or multiple counts?

After several hearings, campus officials recommended that the erring students be kept from graduating.

Madriaga, however, said he respected the BOT's decision, adding that the board also acknowledged that the students committed an offsense..

"Hindi naman ibang-iba 'yung sinabi ng Board sa recommendation namin. For instance, 'yung gravity ng offense ng mga bata, parehas kami ng sinasabi. Sabi namin Level 3, sabi ng Board Level 3," Madriaga said.

"It's just that nagkatalo doon sa sabi namin kasi multiple counts of Level 3, ang sabi ng Board one count of Level 3 lang," he added.

Madriaga said he received the information that the students would have to render community service for 30 days instead of not being allowed to graduate.

"It's less than what we recommended. They are the Board of Trustees. They have their own way of interpreting things... Policy-making body 'yan eh,"

Madriaga, however, ensured that the BOT is already dealing with the matter especially now that it had resulted in protest action.

Up for reconsideration

Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and an ex-oficio member of the BOT, said the matter was now up for reconsideration.

Good morning! Yes we do have a seat on the board of Pisay. My representative raised the issue with me and the matter is now up for reconsideration. We will vote in favor of the recommendation of the Discipline Committee and Management Committee,....

— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) May 23, 2019

"We will vote in favor of the recommendation of the Discipline Committee and Management Committee which is not to allow the identified students to graduate based on the degree of their offenses and previous decisions in similar cases," he said. —NB, GMA News