UP files charges vs 12 Sigma Rho officers, members

The legal office of the University of the Philippines in Diliman Quezon City has filed administrative charges against 12 officers and members of the Sigma Rho fraternity in connection with the fatal hazing of Cris Anthony Mendez, GMA News’s Saksi reported Friday night. According to the report, the charges were filed before the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). The 12 officers could face suspension or expulsion for misconduct in the form of hazing and lack of respect for university rules governing students, UP vice chancellor for student affairs Elizabeth Enriquez told GMA News in an interview. “It is up to the tribunal to assess the case and render a decision later on," Enriquez said. The investigation of the tribunal - composed of three members from the UP faculty, a parent juror and a student juror – might take months before rendering a decision. Also Friday, the same newscast reported that the National Bureau of Investigation has stepped up its probe on the Mendez’s case. An employee of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center showed up at the NBI to give his statement on the day Mendez’s body was brought to the hospital. On August 27, the employee said he talked with Dr. Francisco Cruz when the latter took the hazing victim to VMMC. Cruz allegedly told the employee that he will take care of the body as the victim’s parents are in Quezon Province. Cruz was scheduled to appear Friday at the NBI but he did not show up. The NBI said it will file obstruction of justice case against the doctor next week. On Thursday night, Mendez’s classmates held a benefit concert for him at the National College of Public Administration and Government in UP, the proceeds of which will go to his family. - GMANews.TV