Teachers sue after getting fooled on graduate program

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Six public school teachers from Dueñas, Iloilo, have filed a criminal complaint for syndicated estafa against seven individuals, accusing them of misrepresenting an unauthorized graduate degree program as one affiliated with Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) and collecting more than PHP 563,750 in fees.

The complaint, dated July 9, was filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Iloilo by Joenele Soqueño, Vivien Lavadia, Sharon Langreo, Rowena Ortizo, Mercy Lagulay, and Mary June Pacino through Cordero & Associates.

Named as respondents were Dr. Robert F. Galindez, Merry Plaza Alon, Dr. Tomas M. Panceles, Cesar Equibal Eglarinda III, Louise Bruza Mercader, Dr. Ma. Angie Padernilla, and several unidentified John and Jane Does.

The complainants charged the respondents with syndicated estafa under Article 315(2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1689, with the application of Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

According to the complaint, the respondents allegedly acted in concert to persuade professionals to enroll in what was presented as the International Oriental Medical Doctors College–Northwest Samar State University Special Academic Program (IOMDC–NwSSU-SAP).

NwSSU is a state university based in Calbayog City, Samar.

The complainants alleged that the program, offered through St. Robert’s International College (SRIC) and St. Robert’s Training and Management Center (SRTMC) in Iloilo City, was promoted as an officially recognized graduate program of NwSSU.

Galindez, one of the respondents, serves as president of SRIC.

The teachers said they enrolled after being assured that SRIC and SRTMC were authorized to facilitate NwSSU graduate programs.

They alleged that the respondents promoted the course as an accelerated program that could be completed in four months and would culminate in a graduation ceremony in Thailand in December 2025.

The complaint further alleged that the respondents reinforced the program’s legitimacy by using documents and communications bearing the name and logo of NwSSU.

The complainants said provisional receipts described SRTMC as being affiliated with NwSSU.

They also alleged that one respondent cited Department of Education personnel who had enrolled in the program.

Another respondent, they said, served as the complainants’ thesis adviser.

Relying on those representations, the six teachers said they collectively paid PHP 563,750 in enrollment, tuition, examination, and other school fees.

The complainants alleged that they later discovered the graduate program had no authorization from NwSSU.

They further claimed that neither SRIC nor SRTMC possessed the authority or qualifications to offer or facilitate the university’s graduate degree programs.

According to the complaint, the alleged deception continued after enrollment through Facebook Messenger, Zoom, and other digital platforms.

The complainants alleged they received updates, instructions, and assurances through those platforms that encouraged them to remain in the program and pay additional fees in succeeding terms.

The complaint argued that the respondents’ alleged misrepresentations deceived not only the complainants but also other prospective students, allowing them to collect substantial sums of money through what the teachers described as a fraudulent scheme.

“In truth and in fact, the program was unauthorized, and neither the respondents nor SRIC/SRTMC had the authority or qualifications to offer or facilitate NwSSU graduate programs,” the complaint read.

Earlier this year, the Office of the University President of NwSSU issued a public advisory clarifying that the university’s Graduate School is not affiliated with IOMDC.

The advisory also stated that the IOMDC–NwSSU-SAP had already been terminated through Board of Regents Resolution No. 06, Series of 2023.

According to the university, the academic records of students who officially enrolled in the terminated program would undergo evaluation by a Technical Working Committee created by the Board of Regents to determine the crediting of subjects and the confirmation of degrees.

The university also said degrees previously conferred by the Board of Regents would be reviewed to verify compliance with graduation requirements.

NwSSU added that official transcripts of records and diplomas would be issued only after the evaluation process and upon approval by the Board of Regents.

Syndicated estafa is considered a non-bailable offense when committed by five or more persons conspiring to defraud victims, as defined under Presidential Decree No. 1689.

The filing of a complaint, however, does not determine guilt, and the respondents will have the opportunity to answer the allegations during the preliminary investigation before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.