Ivan Joshua Gabriel P.

Pacete – 1SE February 13, 2019

Reflective Essay- Evelyn Chua (G.R. No. 49549)

No one is above the law.

The case of Evelyn Chua and Booby Qua reflecting the unfathomable love and
connection despite the disparity of age is a clear manifestation that heart surmounts the
insurmountable, conquers the unconquerable and defeats the undefeatable. How
amazing how powerful love is. But in the fangs of the law, what Chua and Qua believes
about the semantics of love is just a dot.

As a background, Evelyn Chua is a teacher of Booby Qua in Tay Tung High

School Inc., Bacolod City, whose age is 30 and 16 years old respectively. Their affair
has drawn attention for a reason that they intertwined their strings through a civil
weeding. This may ring a bell that how come a teacher and a student became a lover
and even husband and wife.

In another side of the coin, there is totally nothing wrong about love. In fact, there
is no greater feeling that governs the universe than love and connection. What it makes
labeled as wrong is that how Chua and Qua exercised the power of love in the context
which is against with social norms and ethical standards.

To cite a proof, as stipulated in the G.R. No. 49549 wherein this controversial
case is anchored, it was clearly narrated that the two stayed late at the classroom
beyond official class hours with one door closed and another one which is partially
opened. Generally, in the eyes of society, it will promulgate an idea that there is an
existing amorous relationship and eventually emerged a questions pointing to decency,
conduct and morality provided that Chua is a teacher. In consequence, Chua was sued
by judiciary procedures and power.

In an international context, in Alabama, Kim Bynum had also an affair with her
17-year-old student in 2011. She was initially faced charges but managed to dismiss the
verdict after marrying her student at the age of 19. Alabama government permits
teacher-student intimate relationship provided that a student is in legal age.

Back in the Philippines, the decision and certiorari of the court has granted Chua
in the basis that the charges against her were not substantial. If I will give a verdict on
this case, I will be in favor with the decision of the court provided that I am in 1975, a
year that this case erupted and years when there were still no clear cut policies and
laws implemented regarding the conducts of the teachers. As a factual basis, RA 7836
or the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act is exercised in year 1994, a huge
disparity with 1975.

However, if this case occurred in today’s generation, I will deviate the court’s
resolution. In a generation where education and laws were properly enforced and
informed, there is no room for a teacher to commit such mistake.
 A teacher must stand for a persona whose spirit is imbued with ethical values.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with loving but loving is also a choice and not just a mere
product of the heart but rather an affectional projection of the natural being of a person
to rationalized. It is a choice to be in amorous relationship. After all, laws’ teeth are
sharp to bite lawbreakers.