For lack of probable cause, the City Prosecutor's Office has dismissed all the 11 counts of estafa charges filed by “misguided and ill-advised” teachers against GreAtMinds Leadership Academy (GLA) and three of its administrative officers, a legal victory considered by the GLA management as an “ultimate vindication” to the school, “which was unjustly maligned by the complainants without any basis at all.” Upon learning of the court victory, GLA parents, teachers, and students have expressed elation over the outcome of the so-called “weird” complaint, saying “justice has been served to GreAtMinds Leadership Academy,” which was represented by lawyer Lord “Popot” R. Marapao IV.

In a resolution penned by associate city prosecutor Fara Ricarda Matuod, she ruled that the dismissal was based on the failure of the complainants “to establish in the case that the respondents actually misappropriated or converted the amount involved,” and for lack of probable cause. In November 2013, 11 GLA teachers filed estafa complaints, which according to the GLA management in a press statement are “totally baseless and ridiculous,” against GLA and alleged that their supposed SSS deductions were not remitted to the Social Security System (SSS). But contrary to their complaints, SSS-Tagbilaran Branch had issued a clearance (Compliance Certificate) under F2-13-11-001 dated November 26, 2013 clearing GLA of any liability regarding its contribution payments and reported employees.

The court found that delays in the reporting of payment had been attributed to SSS system upgrade for its online reporting, which was remedied by doing manual reporting, or due to the complainants themselves for their failure to submit the required documents (i.e birth certificate, application form) necessary for the processing of their new SSS member application. According to the GLA administration, the school management has always been transparent in all their dealings with their teachers. “In fact, receipts and reports duly received by SSS were posted on the faculty and staff announcement board,” the GLA admin said. “What confused the GLA administration is that despite its consistent transparency, as seen on its public announcements, the complainants still pursued the case or even brought matters to this level when the administration office doors have always been open to queries, complaints, and suggestions,” the school said.

In the complaint described by lawyer Marapao as “baseless and ridiculous,” all the 11 “misguided and ill-advised” teachers had demanded a mind-blowing amount of money from GreAtMinds Leadership Academy as payment for alleged damages. The complainants were identified as Mary Jane Cabridas, Agera Gian Geangan, Donna Serino, Riza Marie Aguipo, Noveliza Requilmen, and Elaine Ihalas. All are still working for GreAtMinds Leadership Academy. Other complainants were Delia Arcader, Leedy Mae Doydora, Marilou Logrosa and Marites Mozo – all the four had breached their contracts for school-year 2013-2014. Another complainant was Rowena Rose Ingking, whose contract had ended last March 2013, and was no longer renewed. The complainants had filed a motion for reconsideration but the same was junked by the fiscal's office on January 21, 2014, for lack of probable cause.