Provincial Board Member and Bicol Central Academy administrator Alexander James Jaucian via Facebook

BICOL, Philippines – Three months suspension without pay.

This was the decision of the Board of Trustees of Bicol Central Academy (BCA) against James Jaucian, the school administrator who went viral on social media for burning the personal belongings of some senior high school students last week.

The Board also ordered him to pay for all the students’ personal items that were burned.

In a dialogue on Wednesday (August 22), Jaucian personally apologized to the parents of the affected students as part of the sanction.

But though Jaucian admitted his wrongdoing, he argued that what he did was a disciplinary action for the students’ disobedience as they were asked not to bring in personal belongings in large backpacks on Tatsumaki Day, a school event when senior high school students are asked to teach lower grades.

Meanwhile, Department of Education (DepEd) Region 5 Director Gilbert Sadsad has recommended the revocation of BCA’s license to operate a senior high school program following the incident and asked Jaucian not to meddle with the school’s operation until further notice.

Also, DepEd recommended the entire school system to undergo guidance counseling and social media ethics seminar. Consequently, the agency has ordered revision of the school’s code of discipline in line with the incident.

The Education department appeals to the public not to politicize the matter especially because it involves minors. – Allan Manansala / Marje Pelayo

Tags: Bicol Central Academy (BCA), James Juician

Bicol Central Academy

A school in Bicol is in danger of being shut down after it went viral when its administrator started burning the students’ belongings.

Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Ann Sevilla said the incident could lead to the revocation of the school’s permit to operate.

“After the investigation, if we see that there is a violation in the provisions of the private school, including dito iyong disciplinary action na dapat na ginagawa ng mga private school, we can review, assess kung pwede nating i-suspend, cancel or revoke ang permit to operate ng isang private school.”

The Bicol Central Academy (BCA) in Libmanan, Camarines Sur went viral over the weekend after  a video that showed the school administrator scolding the students while burning their schoolbags, was uploaded on social media.

The administrator was identified as Alexander James Jaucian who is also a provincial board member in Camarines Sur and one of the school’s owners.

Jaucian allegedly scolded the students for bringing large bags instead of small slings as per school policy

Based on DepEd Order no. 88, Jaucian’s action was a clear violation of the department’s rules on disciplining students.

Even though the school has a no-bag policy, Sevilla said burning the students’ bags was overkill; confiscation would’ve been more appropriate.

DeEd has sent four guidance counselors to BCA to conduct psychosocial debriefing among 25-30 students whose belongings were burned.

Sevilla also called on the parents to file a formal complaint against the school administrator so that he can be penalized accordingly.

She said DepEd will not tolerate such behavior among private schools.

“Where there is an abuse of authority and you have an occurrence na iyong anak niyo ay naabuso (wherein your child is being abused), then it is a chance for you to collectively work. Let’s make use of the Parents Teachers Association,” Sevilla said. – Aiko Miguel

Tags: Alexander James Jaucian, Bicol, Bicol Central Academy (BCA)

CAMARINES SUR, Philippines – Authorities arrested Wednesday, June 13, the suspect in the murder of Judge Ricky Begino of the Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court in San Jose, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.

The suspect, Wilfredo Armea, shot Begino in the nape Tuesday night, June 12, while he was on his way home.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 Director PCSupt. Antonio Gardiola said they are still verifying motive for the killing.

“The motive is, accordingly still to be confirmed from our investigation, is land dispute,” Gardiola said.

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio condemned the killing of Begino. In a statement released Wednesday, the Supreme Court (SC) calls on authorities for the immediate resolution of the crime and arrest of the perpetrators. – Lea Ylagan / Marje Pelayo

Tags: Camarines Sur, Judge Ricky Begino