Teacher sacked for sexual abuse

Olongapo City, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has dismissed from service a high school teacher for allegedly sexually abusing students in 2018.

In a statement issued on May 12, the DepEd said Franco Arañas of the New Cabalan National High School in this city was found guilty of violating the department’s Rules of Procedure.

“Arañas’ dismissal from service was a success for the victims and for all those who believed and supported them in their fight in the past several years,” Emmanuel Drewery, executive director of the People’s Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance or PREDA Foundation.

In a decision dated Oct. 7, 2021, DepEd-Central Luzon director May Eclar said Arañas failed to keep the standards expected of him as an educator and public employee.

Three complainants said Arañas abused them in two separate incidents in a local hotel.

The accused denied the charges, saying he was at work and at a party on the dates when the alleged abuses occurred.