Priest apologizes to minor student

CEBU, Philippines - The priest-instructor of  Talisay City College (TCC), who was dragged into a controversy after allegedly humiliating his minor student in class, personally went to the house of the victim to apologize.

Acting TCC president Ritchel Bacaltos told the reporters that when the incident came out, Fr. Judito Rosende did not report in his class for a few days.

Bacaltos said that he called the attention of Rosende, and the priest told him he was looking for the house of the 16-year-old girl. Rosende, according to Bacaltos, went to the house and apologized to the minor.

Earlier, Rosende was reported to have uttered unpleasant words to the minor in front of the victim's classmates. The priest confirmed the said allegation and said that he was carried by his anger because the minor kept on insisting.

Allegedly, the priest got angry when he was being teased by the minor's classmates after the victim jokingly called him "salbahis" because he pursued the midterm examination even if the two class officers were in a meeting during that time.

The minor, due to financial problem and shame, did not report for school anymore following the incident.

According to Bacaltos, the minor and Rosende have already settled the commotion after the priest personally asked apology from the victim the other week.

Bacaltos said that he was looking for the minor and invited her to his office but the latter did not come. He also said that he cannot force the minor to come to his office since she is not already a student of TCC.

It can also be recalled that in the teacher evaluation, the students commented that he allegedly articulated unpleasant words during his class.

Bacaltos added that the academic council of the school will decide on Rosende's status. — Brenda D. Batuto of Banat News