Facebook photos no obstacle to Philippines school graduation

Catholic girls who were originally barred from their school graduation for placing images of themselves in bikinis at a beach party on their facebook pages will be able to join the ceremony.

A regional court in Cebu has cleared the way for the students saying the officials at St Teresa’s College had no right to prevent their attendance.

The judge also ordered the college to treat the minors with kindness and civility, and avoid discriminating against them.

School rules ban posting Internet pictures showing “ample body exposure.”

One of the families sued Principal, Sr Celeste Maria Purisima Pe, and four other lay officials who reportedly claimed the students violated the school handbook for conduct on and off campus, reports say.

Despite only one family taking the legal action, the judge ruled in favour of all five.

Judge Wilfredo Navarro of Cebu City issued a temporary restraining order against the school, labeling its actions as ‘unlawful’ and ‘unchristian’.

In making the decision, Judge Navarro also took into account the reportedly unprofessional and unacceptable behavior of school officials to the girls, who allegedly called them ‘inappropriate names’ – including ‘disgusting’, ‘cheap’, and ‘drunkards’.

The school asked the court to reconsider its decision. Through its lawyer, Romeo Balili, the school said  St Teresa’s had rules and regulations to maintain the morality of the college.

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