School: Girl in sex video will graduate

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) is helping the female student involved in the sex video scandal finish her studies. 

In a press conference yesterday, officials of USJ-R assured that the student will graduate next month once she complies with necessary academic requirements of her course.

USJ-R president Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter Silab said the school has been helping the student even before the sex video proliferated and the issue reached the media.

Atty. Jesus Velez, director of Student Affairs Office, said that when the issue broke out, “the university immediately called her to check on her.”

Silab said the university has undertaken measures to help the girl finish her course “with the minimum amount of exposure so as to protect her privacy.”

The school had set up an arrangement in which the girl is allowed to report to her professors outside of class for her lessons. She is also permitted to continue her internship.

“Her thesis defense was scheduled and will proceed on the date set by her professor,” Silab said. 

Such strategies extended by the school to make sure the student could graduate, contrary to reports that the USJ-R has expelled her, Silab said.

“The material that has sparked this present controversy was made two years ago. A lot can change in a person in two years. And a lot did change for the better in the person in this present case. The greater danger now is the one faced by all Josenians,” he said.

The university admitted that it conducted an investigation into the issue to determine whether school policies were violated.

But when the video went viral, the inquiry was diverted to primarily prioritize the student’s physical and psychological wellbeing.

“The investigation will still be done but this is not to impose penalties on her but to help the student to move on through psychological help. This is a tragedy of sin. The investigation is aimed to find the root cause and to seriously take preventive measures to avoid this from happening again in the future,” Silab said.

He pointed out that the university will also extend legal assistance to any of its stakeholders who complain of disrespect and physical harm due to the controversy.

“Students, faculty and personnel who find themselves harassed, disrespected or bullied are urged to take photographic recording or video evidence that will identify the perpetrator for easier prosecution under the law. We call on the proper authorities to help safeguard the wellbeing of our students as adamantly as we do; and we condemn those who uploaded, continue to upload, shared, continue to share, and maliciously commented or, in any way, added fuel to this conflagration,” he announced.

Section 4 of the Republic Act 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act 2009 prohibits the act of reproducing or copying of video or photo of sexual act “or any similar activity with or without consideration.”

On February 5, the university administration suspended the requirement of wearing the uniforms following incidents of harassment, bullying and ridicule against its students over the scandal.

However, Silab announced the wearing of uniforms will resume on February 11. 

“This incident does not define what and who we are. But it does present us with the opportunity to show the rest of the world that we are courageous in dealing with issues such as this. This is a good lesson for us as we follow the attitude of Christ. Condemn the sin, not the sinner,” he stated.

The school’s vice president for academics, Rev. Fr. Amado Emmanuel Bolilia, said the suspension of wearing of the uniform was aimed to protect the students from public mockery.

But he clarified that the university does not intend to change the Josenian uniform.

The school administration has not yet convened with the honors’ committee to check if the student, a dean’s lister, will still be included on the honor list.

“What we’ve heard is that she has a very good academic performance. We are not preventing her from getting honors. Her performance is something she has earned. The stigma and trauma is more than enough. All we want is to protect her and all our students by all legal means,” he said.

He added that the girl is not a university scholar but has a scholarship grant from a certain benefactor.

The student is still taking up 18 units of subjects for this semester.

On Tuesday, she sought the help of Atty. Inocencio dela Cerna over the issue, brushing aside reports that she was depressed.

Lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, School of Law assistant dean and legal counsel, said that seeking legal assistance was the girl’s right.

“There was never an insinuation or a clear statement made by the school that she might not be able to pursue her studies. But right from the start, we have always been in touch with the student. Seeking help from a lawyer is within her right and we respect it,” she said.

Prior to the press conference, the university held a Holy Mass.

Through a live streaming, hundreds of USJ-R students witnessed the announcement of the university’s statement over the scandal during the media briefing. —/LPM (FREEMAN)