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MANILA, Philippines – The student who took a video of their professor verbally and physically abusing a classmate has spoken up about why their teacher lost his temper.

The student, identified only as Ledor, said their teacher Narciso Varona, who teaches personality development, got mad after seeing his students taking tests for another subject during a period reserved for his class.

Ledor said Varona forgot that he had cancelled his class that day.

"Kaya po siya nagalit, nung pagpasok niya, nagte-test kami sa ibang subject. Bali nakalimutan niya, parang ulyanin na po, ganoon. Parang nakalimutan niya na sinabi niya na walang pasok," he told ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda.

Ledor said Varona vented his ire against the female student since the latter was the class president.

After having a mediated talk, the students decided not to press charges against the professor, who was fired from his job at the Montessori Professional International College in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) official warned educational institutions against accepting professors who have a record of abusing students.

"Hindi pwede itong manatili sa isang academic setting. Mataas ang expectations sa ating mga guro kasi sila ang nagsisilbing role models. Mino-mold nila ang kaisipan ng mga bata," CHED Executive Director Julito Vitriolo said.

"Sana malaman ng marami na dinismiss siya for caution. Dapat magsilbing kuwan ito eh, notice sa paralaan. Baka i-employ pa siya, maging liable ang paaralan."

Vitriolo said he would not go as far as to recommend that Varona be blacklisted.

He said the female student in the video who was seen being hit and berated by Varona may file civil and criminal charges.

"Maaaring sa mga pagkakataong ito anguished ang bata, 'di nakakatulog, at medyo naaapektuhan ang pamilya - cause iyan for civil action," he said.

For Ledor, however, Varona must be taught a lesson for his behavior.

"Dapat panagutan niya po talaga. Gusto kong makasuhan kung saka-sakali po sana," he said.