BY FR. SHAY CULLEN
THE CASE was filed in March 2019 and the promulgation of the guilty verdict just came out.
The convicted teacher will also have to pay compensation to the teenage victim of a hundred thousand pesos. That amount will increase at the rate of 6 percent annually until paid in full.
The teacher is at present out on bail pending his unlikely appeal to the Court of Appeals.
The conviction of the teacher gives hope to the many other high school youth sexually exploited and abused by other teachers everywhere but under threat never to complain or report such abuse.
However, more shocking is the fact that the teacher was allowed by the Department of Education to continue to teach children from the filing of the case in March 2019 until May 2022 when he was finally dismissed from service by the Secretary of Education. All that time, he was still teaching children endangering them and even possibly abusing more victims.
The Department of Education under Secretary Sara Duterte must change its rules to put the safety of students first to protect the children and not protect accused members of their profession and institution. All dedicated teachers are surely angry and shocked by this case. It is not the only one, surely there are many where no action is taken.
The students and youth just have to find the courage like Juanito and believe that they will be helped by the judicial system and the Preda Foundation in getting justice. Preda helped Juanito get justice in convicting the two youth that pimped him and in the case against the teacher has over a period of three and a half years.
Likewise, a male teacher formerly of Olongapo City National High School was charged with child sexual abuse of a young student boy in July 2017. The Department of Education just said he was a naughty teacher and suspended him for six months. Then he was sent back to teach in another school where he is now despite the fact that he was convicted by Judge Gemma Theresa B. Hilario-Logronio of lascivious conduct twice against two child victims and given two separate eight year prison sentences in June 2019. It so happens that is the same school where the victim is now.
Asst. City Prosecutor Ria Nina Sususco also presented a strong case and convinced the court of the teacher’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. He is still out on bail, teaching children pending the long process in the Court of Appeals where justice is denied because of the long delay by the justices. Many children are in danger of abuse all this time. The Supreme Court administrator should look into the long delay in child abuse cases on appeal.
Secretary of Education Sara Duterte has to become the defender of children against these abusive teachers that prey on the vulnerable children under their ascendency and authority. School is the ideal hunting ground for paedophile teachers to satisfy their lust and desires for sexual gratification with children. Principals and teachers have to act and report to the authorities suspicious actions by fellow teachers. It is a legal and moral obligation to put the victims first and show that the Department of Education will never tolerate child abuse in its schools. (preda.org)/PN
