A fresh twist in the Philippines Facebook bikini girls saga that has hit the news this week could spell trouble for the school at the center of the dispute.
St. Theresa’s College (STC) in Cebu City stopped some of the girls involved in the case from entering the school to attend their graduation Friday. This was in spite of a temporary restraining order (TRO) telling the school to let the girls attend the ceremony.
At least two girls were barred from the graduation ceremony for uploading “obscene” photos of themselves in bikinis to Facebook. On Thursday, a judge slammed the Catholic school for calling the girls “sluts” and ordered STC to let them attend.
When the girls arrived at the school gates, however, they were stopped from entering by school guards, according to Inquirer News. Despite protests from the teens’ parents, the guards did not budge and the girls broke down in tears. A court sheriff and employee were barred from entering too.
One of the teens was so ashamed over the ordeal that she wanted to commit suicide, according to ABS-CBN.
The number of girls barred is unclear due to conflicting reports. Five teens were involved in the court order.
The students’ lawyer said they will ask the court to cite STC for contempt for defying the order.
STC filed a motion for the court to reconsider the TRO. However, a clerk of court said a motion for reconsideration on such an order has no legal standing
Criminal charges of oral defamation and child abuse have now been filed against STC by parents of two students. The Department of Education has also launched an investigation into the case.
Photo by Matthew Wilkinson