G.R. No.

223665 September 27, 2021

University of the Cordilleras, et. al., petitioners

vs.
Benedicto F. Lacanaria, respondent

Hernando, J.:

Facts:
On March 5, 2010, Rafael Flores, a student, filed a notarized Complaint-Affidavit addressed to
the Dean of College of Teacher Education of University of Cordilleras, the petitioner, against his
instructor, Benedicto Lacanaria, the respondent for alleged serious misconduct and violation of
the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers. Behind this complaint is an incident last February
25, 2010, where Flores collapsed during a presentation during Lacanaria’s class. Flores requested
to be brought to the clinic but Lacanaria refused since “he doesn’t look like dying yet”. He was
then eventually brought to the clinic after persistent requests.

The University issued a Charge Sheet with Notice of Investigation to Lacanaria last March 11,
2010 and a Grievance Committee was formed last March 26, 2010. The Committee issued notice
of hearing twice but Lacanaria failed to attend both. Past complaints against him were also
uncovered, where several students complained about his “green jokes”. Furthermore, Lacanaria
had submitted a letter of resignation dated last March 12, 2010. On May 15, 2010, Lacanaria was
officially dismissed from his position. For this reason, He filed a complaint on June 19, 2010
against the petitioners for illegal dismissal.

The Executive Labor Arbiter (ELA) dismissed the complaint, and held that respondent was
validly dismissed. The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) affirmed the decision of
the ELA. However, the Court of Appeals, reversed the former ruling and assailed in their ruling
that there was no factual basis and ground for Lacanaria’s dismissal from employment, and the
Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers does not apply to teachers at the tertiary level
instructions. Thus, resulting in this petition filed before the Supreme Court.

Issue:
Whether or not Lacanaria was validly dismissed by the University of the Cordilleras.

Ruling:
Petition granted. The Supreme Court declared Lacanaria to have been dismissed for just cause on
the grounds of serious misconduct, and with the totality of infractions rule, where his previous
infractions may be penalized but that didn’t mean they were wiped clean. Despite the sanctions
imposed upon him, he continued to commit misconduct and exhibit undesirable behavior.