CHR on Pisay dispute: Excellence must be manifested in academics, respect for dignity

Excellence should be demonstrated not only in academic qualities but also in respect for dignity, the Commission on Human Rights said Wednesday, commenting on the recent controversy haunting the Philippine Science High School.

“Excellence must not only translate to academic laurels, but to a sense of respect for human rights and dignity,” CHR commissioner Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

De Guia's statement came after a controversy arose in the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)—commonly known as Pisay—involving a practice among students of the school of spreading online without consent lewd photos of female schoolmates.

Reports indicate that the controversy broke out when a female Pisay student exposed the practice of some male students of sharing obscene photos they acquired through swapping.

De Guia added, the PSHS should have more defined child protection policy to implement, including better management of such delicate cases.

School officials, according to her, must always consider the "present and future life" of the children when carrying their sanctions in line with the Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“Their general welfare, safety, and development—must always be put in mind,” she said.

Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Philippines is a signatory, notes that “in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration”.

Aside from the school’s administration, De Guia also asked the media to be careful and sensitive in reporting the Pisay controversy, and other similar cases to help protect the future and rights of the children.

“In this regard, the Guide for Media Practitioners on the Reporting and Coverage of Cases involving Children by the Department of Justice may be of help in carrying out their responsibilities of informing the public, while being aware of the need to respect and protect the rights of the children,” she added.

CHR has offered to educate the students, parents, and Pisay's faculty members on child rights and protection.

Moreover, De Guia said the CHR had offered training on the conduct of child-friendly investigation among members of the faculty and administration to improve the handling of such cases.

A group of Pisay students recently staged a protest action after the school’s Board of the Trustees decided to allow six students involved in the sharing of the videos to graduate, amid complaints.

However, sources confirmed to GMA News that the six PSHS scholars involved in the photo swapping scandal have been barred from marching in last Wednesday's graduation rites.

“This decision aligns with the earlier recommendation of PSHS school committees to not allow the six students to graduate, but also effectively counters the Board’s prior decision on the case, “ De Guia said. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News