The University of St. La Salle community expressed indignation over the malicious post on Facebook imputed by a USLS freshman against Vice President Leni Robredo that went viral since last week.
In a statement issued today, Nov. 30, by the university’s Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Annabelle Balor, the school said “the earlier FB post associated with Johnrey Apellido, a BSIT 1st year student, has been deemed both alarming and upsetting by so many imcluding our alumni”.
The university, Balor said, has policy guidelines in place in dealing with matters of such nature to address the problem accordingly.
A thorough investigation surrounding the graphic and vulgar language, in Filipino, indicating a sexual act by the President on Robredo, is being conducted by the Office for Student Affairs of USLS.
The probe is anchored on the University Student Handbook, cyber crime-related policies under the Learning Management System and social media regulations.
The university also offered Apellido counselling services while the probe is going on.
The USLS investigation on Apellido began late last week and also covered members of his family.
As of Monday night, Apellido’s apology elicited almost 4,000 reactions and 568 shares, and triggered close to 700 comments mostly lambasting him for his vulgar post.
The controversial post reportedly stirred the whole La Salle system in the Philippines.
Apellido, in his Nov. 28 apology posted on his FB account, said: “The controversy involving myself in the social media post against Vice President Leni Robredo created a tremendous impact on my family, VP Leni and her loved ones, and my institution, the University of St. La Salle. I am deeply sorry for everyone who was offended or insulted, especially for VP Leni, by the malicious remarks. I commit to participate in the ongoing investigation conducted by the university to determine the truthfulness of the FB post that is credited to me”.
He added: “I also received criticisms from fellow students, the public, and even the alumni of my institution, which also affected me emotionally and psychologically these past days. I realized the value of being extra tactful and prudent in everything that I do and of safeguarding my social media account”.
Apellido continued: “I am a son to my mother and a brother to my sisters and I understand how the Vice President could have felt when the post went viral and for that, I am deeply sorry. I am hoping that I can still be afforded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Together with my family, we hope that this controversy will be cleared soon”.
Apellido admitted he understand that the entire university community detested his post on FB, which he said he considers conduct unbecoming of a Lasallian.
“But I am hoping that you could find forgiveness and space for me to prove my innocence, as I yield to the just and humane process the Office of Student Affairs is facilitating. As a university student, from now on, I am taking full responsibility for my words and actions,” he added.
Balor said that while the investigation on Apellido is ongoing, “the proper thing for the student to do is to make amends because although he has been saying that he did not make the comment, which was allegedly put together by another person, he is not entirely free or spared from the responsibility of having participated by making similar comments, which (is) not remote, as can be surmised from the personal photos he puts up in his FB account”.
Balor said the university is appealing for “patience and understanding even as we continue to undertake measures to resolve the matter”.
She also called on La Salle alumni to be “with us in our concerted effort to teach minds, touch hearts and transform lives”. — ETL
