CHUA – QUA vs. CLAVE G.R. No.

L-49549 August 30, 1990

Digested Case

A Landmark Case

FACTS:

This would have been just another illegal dismissal case were it not for
the controversial and unique situation that the marriage of herein
petitioner, then a classroom teacher, to her student who was fourteen
(14) years her junior, was considered by the school authorities as
sufficient basis for terminating her services.

The case was about an affair and marriage of 30 years old teacher
Evelyn Chua in Tay Tung High School in Bacolod City to her 16 years
old student. The petitioner teacher was suspended without pay and
was terminated of his employment “for Abusive and Unethical Conduct
Unbecoming of a Dignified School Teacher” which was filed by a public
respondent as a clearance for termination.

ISSUE:

Was her dismissal valid?

Whether or not there is substantial evidence to prove that the
antecedent facts which culminated in the marriage between petitioner
and her student constitute immorality and or grave misconduct?