FELIPE v. LEUTERIO 2.

After a hearing and over the objection of the other four judges of the contest,
the court declared Emma as the winner of the first place
May 30, 1952 | Bengzon, J. | Implications

ISSUE/s:
PETITIONER: RAMON FELIPE, Chairman, Board of Judges
1. WoN the courts have the authority to reverse the award of the board of judges
RESPONDENTS: HON. JOSE LEUTERIO, EMMA IMPERIAL, JUSTO IMPERIAL and on an oratorical competition – NO.
SOUTHERN LUZON COLLEGE

RULING: SC ruled in favor of petitioner

SUMMARY: An inter-collegiate oratorical contest was held in Naga, Camarines Sur.

Emma was one of the contestants and was awarded with second honor. However, 6 RATIO:
days later, she protested that she should be the first honor. Since the board refused
what she was protesting, she went to the court of first instance to have the award 1. One of the respondents reasoned out that where there is a wrong there is a
reversed. The court granted it. The issue now is whether the court has the authority remedy and that courts of first instance are courts of general jurisdiction
to reverse the award of the board of judges on an oratorical competition and the
2. The flaw in his reasoning lies in the assumption that Imperial suffered some
Supreme Court ruled that no, nor rights to the prizes may be asserted by the
wrong at the hands of the board of judges. If at all, there was error on the part
contestants in an oratorical competition, because theirs was merely the privilege to
of one judge, at most. Error and wrong do not mean the same thing. "Wrong" as
compete for the prize and that privilege did not ripen into a demandable right.
used in the aforesaid legal principle is the deprivation or violation of a right. As
Moreover, “wrong” as used in the legal principle that where there is a wrong there
stated before, a contestant has no right to the prize unless and until he or she is
is a remedy, is the deprivation or violation of a right.
declared winner by the board of referees or judges.

DOCTRINE:

Error and wrong do not mean the same thing. "Wrong" as used in the aforesaid legal
principle is the deprivation or violation of a right. As stated before, a contestant has
no right to the prize unless and until he or she is declared winner by the board of
referees or judges. The fact that a particular action has had no precedent during a
long period affords some reason for doubting the existence of the right sought to be
enforced, especially where occasion for its assertion must have often arisen.

FACTS:

1. An oratorical contest was held in Naga, Camarines Sur wherein Emma Imperial
was awarded second honor. 6 days later, Emma asked the Court of First
Instance to reverse the award alleging that one of the judges had fallen into the
error in grading her performance