CHR to probe bloggers' suspension

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is likely to begin within the week its investigation of the suspension of four Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) students who posted a blog criticizing their principal and other school officials.

CHR chairperson Leila de Lima said yesterday the suspension of the students over the blog might constitute a violation of their rights to free speech and expression and due process.

De Lima also said the suspension of the QCSHS students might be also be a violation of Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

De Lima urged the students to file a formal complaint before the CHR, even as the constitutional body has powers to initiate investigations on human rights issues.

“There are definitely human rights issues involved, principally the right to free speech and expression, and possibly due process. It’s worth probing by the CHR,” she said in a text message to The Star.

De Lima said she would assign the matter to the CHR-National Capital Region (NCR) in coordination with the CHR’s Legal Office.

She said the investigation will be a “fact-finding mission” that would involve gathering of information regarding the incident.

Depending on the result of the CHR’s initial action, the constitutional body would determine whether it is necessary to call a public hearing on the issue.

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued Friday a stay on the implementation of a 10-day suspension meted on the four students.

Lawyer Franklin Sunga, Education Undersecretary for Legal Affairs, said DepEd National Capital Region (NCR) director Teresita Domalanta lifted the suspension order pending an investigation into an appeal filed by parents of two of the suspended students.

The suspension order, issued by QCSHS principal Zenaida Sadsad and approved by DepEd Quezon City division superintendent Dr. Victoria Fuentes, would have taken effect today.

Sunga said the investigation would look into the concern raised by the parents that the suspension did not observe “due process” and that there was “lack of jurisdiction” in the suspension.

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) said it is planning to file a complaint against the QCSHS administration before the DepEd and Congress on behalf of the students.

The CEGP described Sadsad’s move to suspend the students as “campus repression” that undermines the students’ right to freedom of speech and expression.