Minor banned from grad rites gets counseling abroad

CEBU, Philippines - One of the five Saint Theresa’s College high school students prevented from attending their graduation rites last March is set to leave the country for stress debriefing by a psychologist after the incident.

Lawyer Cornelio Mercado, who represented the minors, said while they are not blaming the school, he said STC also has some responsibility.

The statement of Mercado was confirmed by the mother of the minor.

The said minors were banned from their graduation exercises after posting “lewd” photos of themselves in a social networking site.

Though the students and their guardians came with a court order directing the school to allow them to participate in the March 30, 2012 commencement exercises, the school chose to defy the order.

STC is a Catholic school founded by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Meanwhile, STC legal counsel Joan Largo told the media STC was “not attributable” if minors will not enroll this school year.

As far as the school is concerned, Largo said they did the right thing.

She added in fact the school was generous enough to permit the students to graduate despite the violations committed.

Largo said as far as they know some of the five students have already enrolled in other schools.

As to the issue of good moral character, Largo said most of the universities here do not require good moral for first year college enrollees. — /BRP (FREEMAN)