By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A Paglaum Village National High School (PVNHS) teacher in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City is being accused of hurting her students and harassing the school principal and other teachers.

In a radio interview yesterday morning, PVNHS Principal Lourdes de Paula said the involved teacher, identified as Emelyn Mercorio, harassed her on several occasions.

De Paula admitted she had doubts about Mercorio’s mental health, claiming, the teacher would be well-mannered when being spoken to but would speak poorly of others behind their back.

She recalled an incident during a Parent-Teacher Association conference, where Mercorio allegedly began harassing and throwing expletives at her.

The incident compelled De Paula to file a complaint with Police Station 7.

In a separate interview with PVNHS teacher Jose Ernie Buelos, he claimed Mercorio confronted him about her test papers, who reportedly hit him twice in the shoulder.

Mercorio also allegedly harassed Buelos at his home, where she reportedly threw rocks at him and struck him with an umbrella.

According to TV Patrol-Negros report, 36 of Mercorio’s students visited the ABS-CBN studio in Bacolod City and told them they feared going to class because they were allegedly being verbally and physically abused by Mercorio.

They also claimed Mercorio forcefully collected money from them.

In response to the incidents, De Paula said she has recommended Mercorio to go on leave while they await a decision from the Department of Education-Division of Bacolod over the administrative charges filed against Mercorio.

Mercorio, meanwhile, denied the accusations and claimed Buelos was stalking her.

She also claimed to have been assaulted by him in front of her child and 70-year-old aunt.

Mercorio has since filed a complaint against Buelos./DGB, WDJ