Cudia vs.

Superintendent of the PMA

GRN 211362, Feb 24, 2015

FACTS:
Petitioner, Cadet First Class Cudia, was a member of the Siklab
Diwa Class of 2014 of the Philippine Military Academy. He was supposed to
graduate with honors as the class salutatorian, receive the Philippine Navy Saber as
the top Navy cadet graduate, and be commissioned as an ensign of the Philippine
Navy. Cudia received a Delinquency Report (DR) for being late for his ENG412. Cudia
said he was dismissed late from his previous class (OR432), however the OR432
lecturer never discharged her class late. Cudia incurred the penalty of 11 demerits
and 13 touring hours. Several days after, Cudia was reported to the Honor Committee
(HC) per violation of the Honor Code. Lying that is giving statements that perverts
the truth in his written appeal stating that his 4th period class ended at 3:00 that
made him late for the succeeding class.

ISSUES:
Whether or not the the PMA enjoys the academic freedom which authorizes it to
impose disciplinary measures and punishment as it deems fit and consistent with the
peculiar needs of the academy.

RULING:
Yes, PMA enjoys the academic freedom which authorizes it to impose disciplinary
measures and punishment.
The schools' power to instill discipline in their students is subsumed in their academic
freedom and that "the establishment of rules governing university-student relations,
particularly those pertaining to student discipline, may be regarded as vital, not merely
to the smooth and efficient operation of the institution, but to its very survival."
Moreover, the school has an interest in teaching the student discipline, a necessary, if
not indispensable, value in any field of learning. By instilling discipline, the school
teaches discipline. Accordingly, the right to discipline the student likewise finds basis in
the freedom "what to teach." Incidentally, the school not only has the right but the duty
to develop discipline in its students. The Constitution no less imposes such duty.