FORMER TomasinoWeb adviser Leo Laparan II has filed a complaint against the two senior officials of the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) for claimed “consistent and continuous acts of censorship” against the organization.
According to TomasinoWeb’s report, Laparan submitted the complaint in the office of University of Santo Tomas Vice-Rector Fr. Isaias Antonio D. Tiongco, O.P., J.C.D. on April 11.
Photo Courtesy: TomasinoWeb
The complaint accused the OSA Director, Asst. Prof. Ma. Cecilia Tio Cuison, and her deputy, Asst. Prof. Ma. Regina Arriero, of abusive behavior toward TomasinoWeb and their prior adviser, Laparan.
“[Tio Cuison and Arriero’s] consistent and continuous acts of censorship violate the freedom and rights of students in publication and to free speech,” according to the complaint, which TomasinoWeb has a copy of.
It should be noted that on February 17, the administrators asked TomasinoWeb to remove a photo of students from the College of Information and Computing Sciences wearing their Type B uniforms.
Photo Courtesy: TomasinoWeb | Facebook
Netizens quickly reacted, since the outfits were remarkably similar to those worn by 7/11 employees. The funny photo was taken in front of the campus convenience store.
With the photo removed, Laparan was encouraged to quit as TomasinoWeb’s adviser on February 19, given that UST’s OSA has been censoring them and their content.
According to UST’s digital media group, Laparan has accused Laparan charged Tio Cuison and Arriero with seven violations. The complaint identified five instances in which the two officials’ acts allegedly violated some or all of the requirements listed in the complaint.
“The OSA Directors have no right to dictate upon my area of expertise in guiding TomasinoWeb, especially when the students commit no violation of University rules,” he said.
Aside from these, he claimed that the directors “engaged in unprofessional behavior” by repeatedly threatening him and their org. There were warnings of punishment, including the organization’s delisting.
Tio Cuison is still on medical leave, and Asst. Prof. Jaezamie V. Ong is the officer in charge. A statement regarding the charges filed against their office has yet to be published.
