CASE DIGEST

EVELYN CHUA-QUA vs HON. JACOBO C. CLAVE and TAY TUNG

HIGH SCHOOL INC.

FACTS:

In this case, the appellant, a high school teacher is praying for the
reversal of the lower court’s decision that ruled for the termination of
her employment from Tay Tung High School on the grounds of
having committed serious ethical misconduct for marrying her student
who is 14 years younger.

No sufficient proofs were adduced to show that petitioner committed

serious misconduct or breached the trust reposed on her by her
employer or committed any of the other grounds enumerated in
Article 283 (now Article 282) of the Labor Code.

ISSUE:

WON the appellant’s acts are immoral and justify her dismissal?

RULING:

No. The court held that despite their disparity in age and academic
level, their relationship “lends substance to the truism that the heart
has reasons of its own which reason does not know.” Further, the
allegations of the respondents regarding the immoral acts that
occurred in the classroom are merely speculative, without substantial
evidence. Thus, the court ruled in favor of the appellant.

The petition for certiorari is GRANTED and the resolution of public

respondent is ANNULLED.