CA says QC high school defied its order in Krisel Mallari’s case

The Court of Appeals does not think that the certificate earlier issued by the Santo Nino Parochial School to Krisel Mallari could be classified as a "certificate of good moral character."

In a three-page resolution, the appelate court's Second Division said the Quezon City school had defied its order by failing to issue a "proper" GMC certificate to the salutatorian, who tried delivering a scathing speech against her school in March.

As a result of her controversial speech - a video of which became viral online - Mallari's school refused to issue a certificate of good moral character that prevented her from enrolling to the University of Santo Tomas' accountancy program.

Last July 29, the CA ordered the school to issue the certificate to Mallari. The SNPS eventually came out with a "Certificate of good moral character... in compliance with the ex-parte writ of preliminary mandatory injunction issued by the CA."

The school said that it was issuing the certificate "with reservation" because the injunction was issued ex-parte or without them being given a chance to air their side, contrary to the Rules of Court.

In its latest resolution, the CA branded the school's act as a defiance of a court order.

"Indeed, a scrutiny of the Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by SNPS, thru school Principal Herminida G. Catud, readily shows that it is not a Certificate of Good Moral Character at all. It does not contain a statement certifying that Krisel is of good moral character," ruled the CA.

The CA, however, noted that Mallari still managed to be accepted by UST "on the merit of the credentials she presented" and despite the SNPS's "non-compliant" GMC certificate. This rendered the student's original petition moot.

"Be that as it may, since Krisel's application for enrollment has already been accepted by the University of Sto. Tomas despite the defiance of respondents SNPS and Ms. Casero in not issuing a proper Certificate of Good Moral Character, Krisel's prayer to hold SNPS, through its top-level officials, and Ms. Casero, in contempt for non-compliance with this Court's Resolution dated July 29, 2015 has become moot and academic," the CA said.

The CA also argued that it will reserve its judgment against SNPS, by awaiting the school's and Casero's comments, as well as Mallari's reply.

"This Court finds it prudent to reserve judgment thereon to await SNPS Comment to herein petition and Krisel's reply to SNPS' and Ms. Casero's comment as directed by this Court," it added. —NB, GMA News