The former president of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila has added her voice to the growing number of people, who are expressing their anger over the indecent Facebook post of La Sallian Johnrey Apellido last week against Vice President Leni Robredo.
In a Dec. 1 letter addressed to Bro. Joaquin Severino Martinez, FSC, president and chancellor of the University of St. La Salle, Sr. Mary Thomas Prado, OSB, said Apellido’s post is “blatantly insulting, demeaning and offensive to the second highest official of the land, to women, to Catholic education, to the youth, to parents, to every decent Filipino in this country”.
Sr. Mary, former president of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, is a Negrense from Bago City.
“I add my voice to the outcry for speedy investigation into and appropriate action on a malicious post by your student Johnrey Apellido,” Sr. Mary, who is now based at the Missionary of Benedictine Sisters station in Tagaytay City, told Bro. Martinez.
The subject of the indignation of the Lasallian community, including students, alumni and faculty, as well as netizens and civil society organizations, was Apellido’s FB post late last week where he called on the President to have sex with Robredo which she lacks that’s why she is stupid.
Apellido, who confessed to be a Diehard Duterte Supporter and a Marcos apologist, accompanied his post with his photo flashing a dirty finger.
Apellido, who is from Talisay City and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology freshman at the USLS, has since removed his vulgar and graphic post in Filipino.
He then issued an apology on his FB account Saturday, Nov. 28, suggesting that someone must have posted the material on his wall, adding that “I am hoping that I can still be afforded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty”.
But in an apparent inconsistency with his argument, he sought forgiveness and admitted “full responsibility for my words and actions”.
In a random check by the Negros Now Daily, as of press time Wednesday, to see the latest reactions on his FB apology, Apellido, by all indications, has already deactivated his account.
Sr. Mary, in her letter, further said that as a former school administrator, she believes in due process but “not in cheap apology and excuse”.
“I also believe in the Ilonggo brand of softness and compassion but not in tolerating and enabling bad behavior,” she continued.
The Benedictine sister added: “As I denounce Mr. Apellido’s damaging post, I likewise denounce the influen e of political leaders in our country that has shaped the mentality and culture of degradation, patriarchy, indecency, insensitivity, callousness, hatred and violence. I weep at the thought that the next generation (are) bred and taught this way and I trust Catholic institutions will bring light into this darkness,” Sr. Mary said.
In her reaction over the weekend, Robredo wrote: “Just saw this now. Hindi naman ako ang nabawasan, yung nadadamage ng mga ganitong comments ay yung pamilya na pinanggalingan ng mga taong katulad nito, at yung mga lider na iniidolo nila.”
Leaders who bring out the worse in people are not what our country needs, Robredo said.
USLS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Annabelle Balor issued a statement earlier, saying that the university has already started its investigation on Apellido.
La Salle is expected to conclude its investigation late this week. — NND
