SUBJECT: STOP harassment by defending free speech and Alumni Association accountability at CARLOS P. GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL (Pandacan, Manila Philippines)!

TO: The Alumni Community, Concerned Citizens, Advocates for Transparency, Division of City School Manila, and the City Prosecutor Office- City Government of Manila

PETITIONERS/DEFENDANTS: Concerned Alumni Group, Batch 1995, Various Alumni

THE ISSUE: Weaponizing the Law to Silence Dissent

 

We recently learned an alarming situation regarding our two (2) fellow alumni, who were charged and was filed multiple criminal case for being (only) very vocal in expressing their serious concern to the fellow alumni. The respondents, who have broad knowledge in terms of historical events in the past administrations' anomalous activities, alleged misuse of alumni funds, and improper formation of alumni association are now in an uncomfortable situation where they are facing criminal charges to silent by this complainant, or the group behind this retaliation .

Ms. Rowena Agamata and Mr. Estan Vincent Caldez (both from Batch 1995), are alumni committed to transparency and accountability within our Carlos P. Garcia High School (Manila) Alumni community. Their efforts to raise serious, unresolved issues—specifically allegations of anomalous activities from past activities or events involving officers of past administrations of the Alumni Association, and the lack of an audited Financial Report from the current Board of Trustees (BOT)—have been met not with transparency, but with unjust legal retaliation.

Our high school batch mate, a Teacher and current BOT appointee by the Alumni Association, Mr. R.M., has filed two alarming cases against them:

1. Unjust Vexation against Rowena Agamata;
2. Cyber Libel (RA No. 10175) against Estan Vincent Caldez.

These cases stem from heated but private discussions within a closed Facebook Group and in a Private Messenger group chat concerning the school's officially recognized Alumni Association.

OUR COMMITMENT TO TRUTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY
 

The messages they posted in a Private Group and Private Room (chat) were a response to the biased practices and the continuous cover-up of alleged misuse of funds and anomalous activities by the present Alumni Association leadership, where previous officers implicated in alleged misuse of alumni's fund remains in the circle of influence of the current administration.

• The Statements Were Contextual, Not Vexatious: The statements cited in the filed case—were directed at the group of officers who refuse accountability, not maliciously or personally towards Mr. M. (the complainant). We maintained respectful salutations (e.g., “Sir”). And, our objective was to highlight the urgent need for a financial audit and transparency in general of the previous and current Alumni Association officers.
• No Malice in Cyber Libel Allegation: Mr. Caldez’s messages, starting with “RESPETO LANG SANA,” were meant to foster respectful dialogue and question the complainant's objectives after he created a separate group chat. His use of the title “Master Teacher” was not intended to malign or insult Mr. M.(the complainant).; any perceived damage is a clear misinterpretation of a professional title.
   

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS
 

This lawsuit represents a clear attempt to intimidate, harass, and silence alumni volunteers who are advocating for a clean, unbiased, and financially transparent Alumni Association.

The law is being weaponized to transform normal, albeit heated, discourse in a private online setting into a criminal act, thus stifling legitimate criticism and dissent about public-facing volunteer organizations. If this case succeeds, it sets a dangerous precedent, making any critical conversation about leadership vulnerable to legal attack.

 

WE DEMAND:

1. Transparency from the Alumni Board of Trustees: Immediately provide the long-overdue, audited Financial Report to the alumni community (by external or private auditors).
2. Dismissal of Unjust Charges: A fair and honest review by the prosecutor's office that recognizes the context of the private group and private group chat, and dismisses the cases for Unjust Vexation and Cyber Libel, which are clearly being used as tools for legal harassment.
3. Protection of Free Speech: Support the right of alumni to criticize and demand accountability from organizations that claim to represent them.

We call upon our fellow alumni and the public to stand with us against the use of the law to evade transparency and silence dissent.