VOL.

68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 277

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g
*
N . L-40779. N embe 28, 1975.

EPICHARIS T. GARCIA,
e i i e , . THE FACULTYADMISSION COMMITTEE, LOYOLA SCHOOL OFTHEOLOGY,
he ei e e e ed b FR. ANTONIO B. LAMBINO, e de .

C a a ; Acade c f eed ; Sc e f acade c f eed ec g ed b C ;I f

h ghe ea g e acade c f eed . I i be ed ha he efe e ce i he i i i f highe
lea i g a he eci ie f hi b .I ld f ll he ha he ch l c llege i elf i e ed f ch a
igh . I decide f i elf aim a d bjec i e a d h be a ai hem. I i f ee f m ide c e ci
i e fe e ce a e ibl he he e idi g blic elfa e call f me e ai . I ha a ide he e f
a m ce ai e e di g he ch ice f de . Thi c i i al i i i be c ed i a
igga dl ma e i a g dgi g fa hi . Tha ld be f a ei e, llif i i e .
Sa e; Sa e; D ffe e ce be ee acade c f eed f e a a a d acade c f eed f
e eache . I i a ell-e abli hed fac , a d e e hich me ime e d be b c ed i
di c i f he blem f f eed m, ha he c llec i e libe f a ga i a i i b mea he ame
hi g a he f eed m f he i di id al membe i hi i ; i fac , he ki d f

_______________

* EN BANC.

27

278 SUPREME COURT REPORTS

ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee,

L a Sch f The g

f eed m a e e e ece a il c ec ed. I c ide i g he blem f academic f eed m e m

di i g i h, he ef e, be ee he a m f he i e i , a a c a e b d , a d he f eed m f he
i di id al i e i eache .
Sa e; Sa e; Sa e; Acade c f eed f e eache e a ed. The e al a ec f f eed m
c i i he igh f each i e i eache ec g i ed a d effec i el g a a eed b cie eek a d
e e he h a he e all ee i , b h i hi academic ka di hi ca aci a a i a e ci i e .
Th he a f he i di id al i e i eache i a lea a im a ,i c ide i g academic f eed m, a
he a f he i i i hich he bel g a d h gh hich he di emi a e hei lea i g.
Sa e; Sa e; I e a c d f acade c f eed e . The i e al c di i f academic
f eed m i a i e i a e ha he academic aff h ld ha e de fac c l f he f ll i g f c i : (i) he
admi i a d e ami a i de ; (ii) he c ic la f c e f d ; (iii) he a i me a d e e f
ffice f academic aff; a d (i ) he all ca i f i c me am g he diffe e ca eg ie f e e di e. I ld
be a ec f academic f eed m if i e i ie had el he li e al i e e a i f hei
c i i i de ac i e f hei academic membe c l f he e f f ci , f i e
c i i a he m f he e f c i a e laid he h lde f he la g e i g b d .

/
 Sa e; Sa e; F e e a f eed f a e . I i he b i e f a i e i ide ha
am he e hich i m c d ci e ec la i , e e ime a d c ea i . I i a a m he e i hich he e
e ail he f e e ial f eed m f a i e i de e mi e f i elf academic g d h ma each,
ha ma be a gh , h i hall be a gh , a d h ma be admi ed d .
Sa e; Sa e; C ege a d e e hd c e a e f ad fa ca . I i e all
diffic l ield c f mi he a ach ake ha c llege a d i e i ie h ld be l ked a blic
ili ie de id f a di c e i a h m admi ejec . Ed ca i , e eciall highe ed ca i , bel g
a diffe e , a d ce ai l highe , ca eg .
Ma da ; Re e ; E e ce f c ea ega gh e f a ce f ac ec f ca e ed b a .
The e a e a da d ha m be me . The e a e licie be ed. Di c e i a ea be f he e e ce.
I e m f H hfeld e mi l g , ha a

27

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 279

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee,

L a Sch f The g

de i he ii f eii e e e i a i ilege a he ha a igh . She ca he ef e a i f

he ime a d i di e able e i i e f a ma dam ceedi g. S ch bei g he ca e, he e i d im ed
he L la Sch l f The l g .

ORIGINAL ACTION i he S eme C . Ma dam .

The fac a e a ed i he i i of he C .
E cha T. Ga c a i he behalf. Be g , V ega , Za aga, Na c & C da a f
e de .

FERNANDO, J.:

The ecific i e ed b hi ma dam ceedi g c m el

he Fac lt Admission Committee of he Lo ola School of Theolog , e e e ed b Fa he
A i B. Lambi , all e i i e E icha i T. Garcia c i e d i g he ei i he he
he i deemed e ed of ch a igh ha ha be e ec ed. Tha i de ied l ge e al
i ci le, b al i ie of he cha ac e of he a ic la ed ca i al i i i i l ed. I i a
emi a . I ld a ea he ef e ha a m he ca la claim a i ilege, d bei g ca
e de school. M e e , a a ei f ceme ch a b i c cl i , he e i he
a m ec g i ed b he C i 1i i hi e lici la g age: All i i i of highe
lea i g hall e j academic f eed m. The e i i m he ef e fail.
Pe i i e alleged: 3. Tha i mme , 1975, Re de admi ed Pe i i e f die leadi g
a M.A. i Theolog ; 4. Tha Ma 30, 1975, he Pe i i e a ed e ll f he ame
c e f he fi eme e , 1975-76, Re de ld he ab he le e he had i e he ,
i f mi g he of he fac lt deci i ba he f m e-admission i hei school; 5. Tha he
ea a ed i aid le e , da ed Ma 19, 1975 * * * d c i e alid legal g d f
e l i , f he ei he e e a i la i of a of he school eg la i , a e he
i dica i e of g mi c d c ; 6. Tha f m J e 2-5, 1975, Pe i i e e m ch ime a d eff i
aid school f he e of a i i g a a c m mi e ha ld d l i c e ie ce he
fe a d ill all he e j he be efi of he ki d of i ci ha he school ha
ffe , b all i ai ; he a i fac ld b F . Ped Se illa, he

_______________
1 A icle XV, Sec i , a . 2 f he C i i .
/
 2 0

280 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g

school Di ec , ha he c m mi e he a ffe i g e e acce able, hei deci i a fi al,

a d ha i e e be e f he eek f admission a he UST G ad a e School; 7. Pe i i e he
b e e l made i i ie i aid school, a he ibili ie f he i g he g ad a e
die f a M.A. i Theolog , a d he a i f med ha he c ld e ll a he UST
Eccle ia ical Fac l ie , b ha he ld ha e f lfill hei e i eme f Baccala ea e i
Phil h i de ha e he deg ee la e i Theolog hich ld e ail ab f fi e
ea m e of die he ea i he Lo ola School of S die hich he i bei g la f ll
ef ed eadmi i , i ld e ail l ab ea m e; 8. Tha Pe i i e , c ide i g ha
ime a of he e e ce i he ca e, a d a i g be de i ed of a i f gai i g
k ledge ece a f he life k, e lled a a ecial de a aid UST Eccle ia ical
Fac l ie , e e if he ld he eb be c edi ed i h a academic i f he bjec he ld
ake; 9. Tha Pe i i e c ld ha e ec e ei he he P e ide of he school, F . J e C , he
bei g i h he Fi C le e age i Red Chi a, i h he Sec e a of Ed ca i , 2 i ce
hi i hi b ie ime of he ea , a d J e 11, 1975 i he la da f egi a i ; * * * She
a ed f a i of ma dam f he e of all i g he e ll i he c e eme e . She
made i m e ecific i a leadi g he called Ame ded Pe i i ha he ld be all ed c -
e llme e e be d he J e 11, 1975 deadli e f egi a i a d ha ha e e i ma be
acc edi ed he i he UST Eccle ia ical Fac l ie be like i e ec g i ed b e de . He
e i i i cl ded he le e of e de Fa he Lambi hich a ed a ha e ha he
a gi e he g ade of B+ a d B i theolog bjec , b e ded i a ma e fa f m
a i fac f he , a h b hi i he e f: N , ill ha e f gi e me f g i g i
a ma e hich i lea a . The fac lt had a mee i g af e he mme e i a d e e al
membe a e gl ed ha i g back i h a Lo ola School ofTheolog . I he
i i of h e ma I e hi a hei ea : The fel ha f e e e i a d
diffic l ie e e al a e i e a d had he effec of l i g d he g e of he cla ;
he fel c ld ha e

_______________
2 Pe i i , a , 3-9.

2 1

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 281

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g

ied gi e he e e a i a cha ce a d e e ed m e eff de a d he i made bef e

immedia el hi ki g of diffic l ie a d blem . The a hi g a e, I ld a ha he
ad i abili of c m le i g a g am ( i h all he c e k a d he i i i g) i h i
e e i able. Tha ha e he e i i e i ellec al abili i be d b ed. B i ld
eem be i be i e e k i h a fac lt ha i m e c m a ible 3
ih
ie a i . I eg e ha e make hi e , b I am l hi ki g of elfa e.
Thi C , i a e l i of J e 23, 1975, e i ed c mme 4
he
a of e de Fac lt AdmissionCommittee, Lo ola School of Theolog . A bmi ed
behalf of Fa he Lambi , i e f h he f ll i g: Re de i he
Chai ma of he Fac lt AdmissionCommittee of he Lo ola School of Theolog , hich i a
/
 eligi emi a i a ed i Lo ola Heigh , Q e Ci ; I c llab a i i h he A e e de
Ma ila U i e i , he Lo ola School of Theolog all me la de a e d i cla e
a d/ ake c e i aid Lo ola School of Theolog b he deg ee, if a , be b ai ed f m
ch c e i g a ed b he A e e de Ma ila U i e i a d b
he Lo ola School ofTheolog ; F he ea ab e gi e , la de admi ed
he Lo ola School of Theolog ake c e f c edi he ei ha e be fficiall admi ed
b he A i a Dea of he G ad a e School of he A e e de Ma ila U i e i de f he
be c de ed a ad ed a deg ee g a ; Pe i i e i he mme of1975 a admi ed b
e de ake me c e f c edi b aid admission a a admission a deg ee
g am beca e l he A i a Dea of he A e e de Ma ila G ad a e School ca make
ch admission; Tha i he ca e of e i i e , acce a ce b he A i a Dea of he A e e
de Ma ila G ad a e School a gi e , ha he a acce ed a deg ee g am b a
me el all ed

_______________
3 Le e f Fa he A i B. Lambi , A e A Pe i i .
4 Refe e ce a made e de a he ame ded e i i i cl ded The Di ec , B ea f P i a e Sch l a d The
Di ec , UST G ad a e Sch la e de . H e e , he did deem i bmi c mme , a d hi C , i ie f
he a e f he c e hich lel i l ed he igi al e de , did e hem d . The ca e i he ef e
decided a if he e e e e made a ie .

2 2

282 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g

ake me c e f c edi d i g he mme of 1975; F he m e, e i i e a cha ged a

i gle ce a b he Lo ola School of Theolog a d/ he A e e de Ma ila U i e i i
c ec i i h he c e he k i he mme of 1975, a he a all ed ake i
f ee of cha ge; Tha e de F . A i B. Lambi , S.J., a d/
he Lo ola School of Theolog h i Fac lt Admission Committee, ece a il ha
di c e i a he he admi a d/ c i e admi i g i he aid school a a ic la
de , c ide i g l academic i ellec al a da d b al he c ide a i ch a
e ali ai a d cha ac e ie a i i ela i i h he de a ell a c ide i g he
a e of Lo ola School of Theolog a a emi a . The Pe i i f Ma dam he ef e d e
lie, a he e i d , m ch le a clea d , he a of e de admi he e5 i i e
he ei i he c e ea ake f he c e i he Lo ola School ofTheolog I a
like i e alleged i he af e aid c mme ha a e f h i he le e of Ma 19, 1975, he deci i
all eii e ake
6
f he c e i aid emi a i a bi a , a i i ba ed
ea able g d , * * *. The efe e7 ce a made he a ailabili of -j dicial emedie
hich e i i e c ld ha e ed. The a e a f he di mi al of he e i i f
lack of me i . Pe i i e gh e mi i e l a d i a g a ed. The eaf e , he had a
de ailed eci al of h de he ci c m a ce he i e i led elief f m he c . I a
e l i of A g 8, 1975, hi C c ide ed he c mme of e de a a e a d
e i ed he a ie file hei e ec i e mem a da. Tha he did, a d he e i i a deemed
bmi ed f deci i . A a made clea a he e , ed ee me i i i . I m he ef e be
di mi ed.
1. I e de mem a d m, i a made clea h a e i i f ma dam i he e
emed . Th : Pe i i e ca c m el b ma dam , he e de admi he i f he
die i he Lo ola School ofTheolog . F e de ha c ea d admi he
e i i e . The Lo ola School of Theolog i a emi a f he ie h d. Pe i i e i
admi edl a d b i l d i gf he

/
_______________
5 C mme , a . 1-7.
6 Ibid, a . 8.
7 Ibid, a . 9-10.

2 3

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 283

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g

ie h d, he bei g a la e a da ma . A d e e a mi g e g a a a g e ha he i
alified d f he ie h d, he e i ill d he a of e de admi he
aid die , i ce he schoolha clea l he di c e i d e e alified a lica d e
limi a i of 8 ace, facili ie , fe a d im m cla m i e a d c m e
c ide a i . N a h i ie e e ci ed, e de a a e l bei g of he ie ha he la ha
eached he age he e he ma e of admission a i i i of highe lea i g e
he le a d c lled di c e i of he a lica . The e a e a da d ha m be me . The e
a e licie be ed. Di c e i a ea be of he e e ce. I e m of H hfeld e mi l g ,
ha a de i he i i of e i i e e e i a i ilege a he ha a igh . She ca
he ef e a i f he ime a d i di e able e i i e of a ma dam ceedi g. S ch bei g he
ca e, he e i d im ed he Lo ola School of Theolog . I a a he c m ehe i e
mem a d m of e i i e , h f a el did ha e c el, a a em a made di e
he c e i of e de . The e a a lab ed eff ai he a d, b i a
fficie l e a i e. I i de a dable h . I a he kill of a la e a he ha a
ac i i e ha a e ide . While he e ed he i i h ig , he a able
dem a e he e i e ce of he clea legal igh ha m e i j if he g a of hi i.
2. N i hi all. The e i , a e i l ed, he ec g i i i he
C i i of i i i of highe lea i g e j i g academic f eed m. I i m e f e ide ified
i h he igh of a fac lt membe e hi die i hi a ic la ecial a d he eaf e
make k bli h he e l of hi e dea ih fea ha e ib i ld be i i ed
him i he e e ha hi c cl i a e f d di a ef l bjec i able he e ha be,
he he i he li ical, ec mic, academic e abli hme . F he ci l gi , R be McI e , i
i a igh claimed b he acc edi ed ed ca , a eache a d a i e iga , i e e hi fi di g
a d c mm ica e hi c cl i ih bei g bjec ed a i e fe e ce, m le a i ,
e ali a i beca e he e c cl i a e acce able me c i ed a h i

_______________
8 Re de Mem a d m, 1.

2 4

284 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g
9
i hi be d he i i i . A f he ed ca a d hil he Sid e H k, hi i hi
e i : Wha i academic f eed m? B iefl ,i i he f eed m of fe i all alified e
i i e, di c e , bli h a d each he ha he ee i i he field of hei c m e e ce. I i
bjec c l a h i e ce he c l a h i of 10 he a i al me h d b hich
h c cl i a e gh a d e abli hed i he e di ci li e .

/
 3. Tha i l e a ec h gh. S ch a ie d e c m ehe d f ll he c e of academic
f eed m ec g i ed b he C i i . F i i be ed ha he efe e ce i he
i i i of highe lea i g a he eci ie of hi b . I ld f ll he ha
he school c llege i elf i e ed of ch a igh . I decide f i elf i aim a d bjec i e
a dh be a ai hem. I i f ee f m ide c e ci i e fe e ce a e ibl he he
e idi g blic elfa e call f me e ai . I ha a ide he e of a m ce ai l
e e di g he ch ice of de . Thi c i i al i i i be c ed i a igga dl
ma e i a g adgi g fa hi . Tha ld be f aei e, llif i i e . F me
P e ide Vice e G. Si c of he U i e i of he Phili i e , i hi Phili i e P li ical La , i
imila l of he ie ha i defi i el g a he igh of academic f eed m he 11 i e i a a
i i i a di i g i hed f m he academic f eed m of a i e i fe . He ci ed he
f ll i g f m D . Ma cel B cha d, Rec of he U i e i of Dij , F a ce, P e ide of he
c fe e ce of ec a d ice-cha cell of E ea i e i ie : I i a ell-e abli hed fac , a d
e e hich me ime e d be b c ed i di c i of he blem off eed m, ha he
c llec i e libe of a ga i a i i b mea he ame hi g a he f eed m of he i di id al
membe i hi i ; i fac , he ki d of f eed m a e e e ece a il c ec ed. I
c ide i g he blem of academic f eed m e m di i g i h, he ef e, be ee he
a m 12of he i e i , a a c a e b d , a d he f eed m of he i di id al i e i
eache . Al : T cla if f he he di i c i be ee he f eed m of he i e i a d
ha of he i di id al

_______________
9 McI e , Academic F eed m i O Time, 6 (1955).
10 H k, Academic F eed m a d Academic A a ch (1965).
11 Si c , Phili i e P li ical La , 489 (1962).
12 Ibid, 489-490.

2 5

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 285

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g

ch la , he a : The e al a ec of f eed m c i i he igh of each i e i eache

ec g i ed a d effec i el g a a eed b cie eek a d e e he h a he e all ee
i , b h i hi academic k a d i hi ca aci a a i a e ci i e . Th he a of he i di id al
i e i eache i a lea a im a , i c ide i g academic f eed m, a he 13 a of he
i i i hich he bel g a d h gh hich he di emi a e hei lea i g. He like i e
ed f m he P e ide of he Q ee U i e i i Belfa , Si E ic A hb : The i e al
c di i f academic f eed m i a i e i a e ha he academic aff h ld ha e de
fac c l of he f ll i g f c i : (i) he admission a d e ami a i of de ; (ii) he
c ic la f c e of d ; (iii) he a i me a d e e of ffice ofacademic aff; a d (i ) he
all ca i of i c me am g he diffe e ca eg ie of e e di e. I ld be a ec f
academic f eed m if i e i ie had el he li e al i e e a i of hei c i i i
de ac i e f hei academic membe c l of he e f f ci ,f i ec i14 i
a he m of he e f c i a e laid he h lde of he la g e i g b d . J ice
F a kf e , i h hi e e i e backg d i legal ed ca i a a f me P fe of he Ha a d
La School, efe ed ha he called he b i e of a i e i a d he f e e ial f eed m
i he f ll i g la g age: I i he b i e of a i e i ide ha a m he e hich i m
c d ci e ec la i , e e ime a d c ea i . I i a a m he e i hich he e e ail he
f e e ial f eed m of a i e i de e mi e f i elf academic g 15
d h ma each,
ha ma be a gh , h i hall be a gh , a d h ma be admi ed d . Th i ei f ced
he c cl i eached b ha ma dam d e lie i hi ca e.

/
 4. I i a ea ma e he di ega d he ie of e k ledgeable i he field,
h m ca be im ed lack of a a e e of he eed e ec f eed m of h gh he
a of de a d ch la . M e e , i c ld am mi imi i g he f ll e ec ha m be
acc ded he academic f eed m e e l g a ed b he C i i i i i

_______________
13 Ibid, 490.
14 Ibid, 490-491.
15 J ice F a kf e ,c c i g i S ee . Ne Ham hi e, 354 US 234, 263 (1957).

2 6

286 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g

of highe lea i g. i i e all diffic l ield c f mi he a ach ake ha c llege a d

i e i ie h ld be l ked a blic ili ie de id of a di c e i a h m admi
ejec . Ed ca i , e eciall highe ed ca i , bel g a diffe e , a d ce ai l highe , ca eg .
5. I l emai be added ha he f ili ha ma ked he e i e ce of e i i e
c i e he die i he Lo ola School of Theolog i he e l lel of a legal
a ai al of he i a i bef e . The deci i i be c ed a i a a eflec i g
he ch la ic a di g of e i i e . The e a he a of e de d e
ack ledgme of he i ellige ce. N e hele , f ea e lai ed i he le e of Fa he
Lambi , i a deemed be , c ide i g he i e e of he school a ell a of he he de
a d he elfa e, ha he c i e he g ad a e k el e he e. The e a hi g a bi a i
ch a ai al of he ci c m a ce deemed ele a . I c ld be ha m e ma e eflec i ,
e e eii e ld eali e ha he a fe me he i i i ld ed d he
be efi of all c ce ed. A a a e, a i dica ed ea lie , l he legal a ec of he c e a
ched i hi deci i .
WHEREFORE, he e i i i di mi ed f lack ofme i .

Ba ed , A , E g e a, M Pa a, A ,C ce c , J . a d Ma , JJ., c c .
Ma a a , C.J., i hi a d i he e a a e i i f J ice Teeha kee.
Ca , J., did ake a .
Teeha ee, J., c c i a e a ae i i .
Ma a a , J., di e i a e a ae i i .

TEEHANKEE, J., c c g:

Ic ci h he di mi al of he e i i f ma ife lack of me i .
O he h eadba e claim ha d i g he mme of1975 he had bee admi ed b e de F .
A i B. Lambi , S.J.,
chai ma of he Fac lt AdmissionCommittee of he Lo ola School of Theolog (a eligi
emi a f he ie h d) a e d he ei f ee of cha ge mme c e f c edi ,
e i i e ha filed he e e eii f ma dam agai e de de
he admission i aid school a a de
2 7

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 287

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
Sch f The g
/
f a M.A. i Theolog a d f he a me he ofe em la a d m al damage a d a
am e i ale m e le a e fee hich e i i e ld ha e aid a c m e e
la e , had he em l ed e. (Acc di g e i i e , he e llme i he Lo ola emi a
ld allegedl e ail l ab ea m e he e he ld eed ab f fi e ea
m e of die a he UST G ad a e School f Eccle ia ical Fac l ie he e he ha
e lled a a ecial de ih c edi f a academic i f he bjec ake b he .)
The igi al e de , F . Lambi , filed hi c mme he e i i , hile he he
e de , he Di ec of P i a e Sch l a d he Di ec , UST G ad a e School, did e e
deig (a d e e e i ed) file hei c mme , i h a di g he C e l i of J e
23, 1975 e i i g hei c mme he ame ded e i i , i ce b he e e m of aid e i i ,
e i i e had e e b he ed make a a lica i e e e ai i h hem bef e hali g
hem bef e hi C a a ie - e de he fa cied igh e llme a d c -
e llme a he i i i (Lo ola a d UST).
The e i i m be di mi ed, i ce e i i e ha admi edl failed e ha he
admi i a i e emedie . The fac of ec d am l h ha e i i e i b i l di alified, a d
i d i g, f he ie h d, he bei g a la ma a d eligible f admission
e de emi a . Ma dam de he admissioni e de emi a ca lie i he
ab e ce of a clea igh he a a d a clea d e de a admi he .
Pe i i e i he e i i admi ha he ha failed a ail of a d e ha he admi i a i e
emedie e he b eek j if he fail e b allegi g.
Tha Pe i i e c ld ha e ec e ei he he P e ide ofhe school, F . J e C , he bei g i h he
Fi C le e age i Red Chi a, i h he Sec e a ofEd ca i , i ce hi i hi b ie
ime of he ea , a d J e 11, 1975 i he la da f egi a i ; .

Thi e ec e i of c e ae l i e , i ce ei he he i e i e ide em a ab e ce
he Sec e a of Ed ca i ha i g hi b ie ime of he ea j ifie eii e b - a i g
he e fficial h e fi al
2

288 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
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admi i a i e deci i h ld fi be gi e . S ch e ha i of admi i a i e emedie i a e-

c di i f c ac i a d ld ge all he fac i a e able he c i a eii f
e ie im l decide he ba i of he fac he he he e i ed ac of e i i e -
admission c i e a a bi a ac i ha ld a a j dicial i e e i .
Wi hal, he fac of ec d am l h ha fa f m bei g a bi a , e i i e -
admission a f e fec l alid c ide a i , a f ll :
The Lo ola School of Theolog i a emi a f he ie h d; a d e i i e i admi edl
a d b i l d a f ed, a d i d i g, f he ie h d, he bei g a la ma , a d
he ef e eligible f admission;
Pe i i e a admi ed f ee ake me mme c e hi ea f c edi , b acc di g
e de F . Lambi hi a a admission a deg ee g am i ce he
fficial admission b he A i a Dea of he G ad a e School of he A e e de Ma ila
U i e i ( hich i he i i i , he Lo olaSchool of Theolog , ha g a he dec ee)
e i ed f he e ha ei he bee gh b eii e g a ed b he aid A i a
Dea . Re de F . Lambi h a e ha he i he g a be ed;
Pe i i e claim he c a ha he a ac all admi ed f a deg ee g am, a d
a g i g ha The fac a e, h e e , of 1
he he eii e a ac all admi ed f a
deg ee g am eed be e l ed fi eheme l i i ha hi C e l e he fac a
e i he fa he ba i of he ba e c e -a e i a d he e de school e le e
ejec i g he admission; (Pe i i e h i a la e ofc ed e a ecia e ha hi C
/
i ei he a ie e ie e of fac a d ha eci el e of he ea f
e ha i of admi i a i e emedie i ha all he fac ma be laced bef e he fi al
admi i a i e a h i ie , h e deci i ma be e ie ed b he c2 l a clea
h i g of f a d, c ll i , a bi a i e , illegali , im ii mi ake. ); a d
A ide f m he fac ha he -admission e de emi a f he ie h d b
i e of he bei g di alified a a la ma i a ma e of school lic a d eg la i ha

_______________
1 Pe i i e mem a d m, age 2.
2 See Lac e a . He e a, 62 SCRA 115.

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 289

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b i l ca i a be aid be a bi a ( i ce female all e he ld a e

admi ed he ie h d), he fac lt g ii ha i g he back i he school af e
mme beca e he fel ha (he ) f e e e i a d diffic l ie e e al a e i e
a d had he effec of l i g d he g e of he cla a d e de F . Lambi c e
b ca did a ai al ha he ad i abili of(he ) c m le i g a g am ( i h all he c e k
a d he i i i g) i h i e e i able a e ma e of ech ical a d academic j dgme ha
he c ill di a il i e fe e i h.
Pe i i e ac i f ma dam clea l d e lie, i ce clea igh f he admission a
deg ee g am f a M.A. i Theolog a clea d he
a of he Lo ola School of Theolog ( of he A e e G ad a e School hich i e e a
a ) admi he ha e bee h .
O l af e e ha i of admi i a i e emedie a d he he e i ma ked a bi a i e , ill he
c i e fe e i h he academic j dgme of he schoolfac lt a d he e a h i ie a
he c m e e ce a d fi e of a a lica f e llme c i e aki g g ad a e die
i a g ad a e school. The c im l d ha e he c m e e ce i cli a i c i e
hem el e a Admission C mmi ee of he i e i ie a d i i i of highe lea i g a d
b i e hei j dgme f ha of he eg la l c i ed Admission C mmi ee of ch
ed ca i al i i i . We e he c d , he ld c cei abl be am ed i h e i i
f admission f m he h a d ef ed admission e e ea , a d e he h a d h
fl ked a d e e d ed ld al be e i i i g he c f a j dicial e ie of hei g ade !

___________

Bef e cl i g hi c c e ce, I m make of ec d m c c e ce i h a d adhe e ce he

f dame al i ci le of f eed m a d libe el e l e e ed b M . J ice Maka ia i hi
di e . Hi e e i of dee c ce f he e e a i a d e ha ceme of he dig i a d
h of he h ma e ali , ci i g J ice Ca d i j ci ha ma f eed m m be
gi e a c a agai he a a l of i m, he e edie c of he a i g h , he
e i of
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290 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

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/
 mall e c achme a d he c a d de i i of h e h ha e a ie ce i h ge e al
i ci le , a d La ki he i ha he ha i e of he i di id al, he ell-bei g of he S a e,
a he c i e i b hich i beha i a be j dged, hi i e e , i e , e he limi
he a h i i a e i led e e ci e eaffi m f cef ll he ba ic e e ha di i g i he a
dem c a ic f m a ali a ia a e, , ha he S a e e i f he i di id al a he ha he he
a a d.
I a a i h him of c e i hi fac al emi e a d a m i hich m mi d a e
ed b he ec d he fac a ba . F em am g he e a e he emi e ha e i i e
had bee admi ed he theolog c e a d ca be ef ed f he a e da ce he ei , he a
h ab e, he e i of he he eii e a i fac admi ed a deg ee g am i
a c e ed e i h e i i e he elf maki g ch a e me i he e i i a d eci el
a ki g ha hi C e l e hi fac al i e a d he di i cli a i gi e d e c ede ce he
ea gi e b F . Lambi f he fac lt g ii e i i e admission( , ha
he f e e e i a d diffic l ie e e al a e i e a d had he effec of l i g d
he g e of he cla a d he fail e gi e he (fac lt ) e e a i a cha ce a d e e (ed) 3
m e eff de a d he i made bef e immedia el hi ki g of blem a d diffic l ie ,
he e e he e i i e e i i he e i i he e aci of ch fac lt i i a d he
ed fac al ea he ef b l he he he ame c i e alid legal g d f
e l l i .
Id ha e hi ie ha i a e ed ca i al i i i ma e a e l b delega i of he
Saea d a e diffe e i hi e ec f m4 he c mme cial blic ili ie h e igh e i
a d e a e de e d Sae a h i a d he a m i ha e de ha e c ibed
ea able le eg la i he ch le ha e e e bee bmi ed he C i
he e a claim ha ch le ha e e e bee e i ed i di a ed b he
Di ec of P blic Sch l (a mi g ha aid fficial ha j i dic i e a eligi emi a ch
a he Lo ola School of Theolog ).

_______________
3 A age 6.
4 A age 7.

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Pe i i e acc di g he eii ha b ai ed e llme a he UST G ad a e School f

Eccle ia ical Fac l ie he e acc di g he eii he c ld e he g ad a e die f
a M.A. i Theolog (af e f lfilli g hei e i eme f Baccala ea e i Phil h a d
a mi g he ha he e i ed ec g i ed de g ad a e i ,a hich he e i me e i ).
U de he ci c m a ce , i eem fai a e ha e i i e ma ell heed he ice a d i i
( ha call he a deg ee i Theolog ) i h ejec i he ha ha of e de school a d
ce ai l ih bei g de i ed be a he J a of A c.

MAKASIAR, J., d e g:

Wi h hi al ch la hi a d cha ac e i ic le, M . J ice Fe a d ha e a e a i e

maj i i i ha c mma d e ec .
The 1973 C i i ide ha : All i i i ofhighe lea i g hall e j academic
f eed m (Sec. 8[2], A . XV). Thi i b ade ha Sec i 6 of A icle XIV of he 1935 C i i ,
hich ide ha : U i e i ie e abli hed b he S a e hall e j academic f eed m. U de he
af eci ed cla e of he 1973 C i i , all c llege a d i e i ie of highe lea i g, he he
e abli hed b he S a e , a e g a a eed academic f eed m.
/
 I h ld be e ed ha he academic f eed m h g a a eed i limi ed he
membe of he fac lt he admi i a i e a h i ie of he ed ca i al i i i . I h ld
al be deemed g a ed i fa of he de b d ; beca e all h ee he admi i a i e
a h i ie of he c llege i e i , i fac lt a d i de la i c i e he
ed ca i al i i i , i h a e of hich he ed ca i al i i i ca ei he e i
e a e. The ed ca i al i i i i e mi ed b he S a e e i a d e a e, f he
be efi of i admi i a i e a h i ie fac lt membe , b f he be efi of i de .
A Chief J ice Wa e , h e ed he i i i S ee e Ne Ham hi e, em ha i ed:
N field ofed ca i i h ghl c m ehe ded b ma ha e di c e ie ca e be
made. Pa ic la l i ha e i he cial cie ce , he e fe , if a , i ci le a e acce ed a
ab l e . Sch a h ca f h a a he e f c a d
2 2

292 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

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d . Teache a d de a a e a f ee e, d a d e a a e, ga
e a a d de a d g; he e c a ag a e a d d e (354 US 234, 250; 1
L. ed. 2 d 1311, 1325, de c i g lied).
A i di id al ha a a al a d i he e igh lea a d de el hi fac l ie . I i f hi
ea ha he 1973 C i i di ec he S a e aid a d he a e i he
ea i g of he h (Sec. 4, A . II, 1973 C i i ); m e hei h ical, i ellec al a d
cial ell-bei g (Sec. 5, A . II); e abli h, mai ai a d e e ade a e cial e ice i he
field of ed ca i (Sec. 7, A . II; e abli h a d mai ai a c m le e, ade a e a d i eg a ed
em of ed ca i ele a he g al of a i al de el me (Sec. 8[1], A . XV); ec g i e
a d ec he academic f eed m of all i i i of highe lea i g (Sec. 8[2], A . XV);
mai ai a em of f ee blic eleme a ed ca i a d he e fi a ce e mi , a em of f ee
blic ed ca i he ec da le el (Sec. 8[5], A . XV); ide ci i e hi a d ca i al
ai i g ad l ci i e a d -of-school h a d c ea e a d mai ai ch la hi f
a d de e i g de (Sec. 8[6], A . XV); a d m e cie ific e ea ch a d i e i ,
a i e a a d le e , ide ch la hi , g a -i -aid he f m of i ce i e f
eciall gif ed child e (Sec. 9[1], [2] a d [3], A . XV).
O he he ha d, i ae e e i ha he i he e igh e abli h a d e ae
a school, c llege i e i .
He ce, he e i eed of e-e ami i g a d eca i g he limi ed defi i i of academic f eed m
c cei ed b P fe A h L ej (E c cl edia of S cial Scie ce , . 384) he effec ha i i
he f eed m of he eache e ea ch ke i highe i i i of lea i g i e iga e a d
di c he blem of hi cie ce a d e e hi c cl i , he he h gh blica i i
he i ci of he eache , i h i e fe e ce f m li ical a d eccle ia ical a h i ie
admi i a i e i i of i i i i hich he i em l ed, le hi me h d a e f db a
alified b d of hi fe i be clea l i c m e e c a fe i al e hic ,
hich i ech ed b MacI e (MacI e , Academic F eed m i O ime [6], 1955) a d b H k (H k,
Academic F eed m a d Academic A a ch ). The c e of academic f eed m h ld be e ic ed
he a f m la i of
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/
M . J ice F a kf e a a a m he e i hich he e e ail he f e e ial f eed m of a
i e i de e mi e f i academic g d h ma each, ha ma be a gh , h i
hall be a gh , a d h ma be admi ed d (Hi c c i g i i i S ee . Ne
Ham hi e, 353, US 234, 263 [1957]), hich e ali e hi belief ha i T he b i e of a
i e i ide ha a m he e hich i m c d ci e ec la i , e e ime a d
c ea i , hich he h e e e hibi l al a he c i ed a e:
P g e i he a al cie ce i em el c fi ed fi di g made i he lab a .I gh he
e e f a e a e b f h he a d ec a . The e h e he
f de a d g he g g e dea f ha a e ca ed he c a c e ce , he c ce f h ch
a a d c e . The blem ha a e he e ec i e e cc a i of a h l g , ec mic , la ,
ch l g , ci l g a d ela ed a ea of ch la hi a e me el de a me ali ed deali g, b
a of ma ageable di i i of a al i , i h i e e e a i g a ec of h li ic e le i ie . F ce g d
f de a d g he a e e a eed f ce e he e be , ec a ab he ,
a he f ef ec he , be ef a fe e ed a be .
O e eed l efe he add e of T. H. H le a he e i g of J h H ki U i e i , :

I a e edge e d, e e a ea a e d. A e cea e be e a e f
bec e he fCh ch Sae a ec a e e .A i e i i cha ac e i ed b he i i of f ee i i , i
ideal bei g he ideal of S c a e f ll he a g me he e i lead , Thi im lie he igh e ami e, e i , m dif
ejec adi i al idea a d belief . D gma a d h he i a e i c m a ible, a d he c ce fa ab e d c e
e g a he fa e . The c ce of i ch la i me el add a d e i e fac i ela i a
acce ed f ame k, b be e e e ami i g a d m dif i g he f ame k i elf.
F eed ea a d f eed f d a he ba f b e a a de e e a e he ece a c d f
he ad a ce e f ce fc edge. A e e of f eed m i al ece a f c ea i e k i he a hich, e all
i h cie ific e ea ch, i he c ce of he i e i (S ee . Ne Ham hi e354 US 234; 262-263, de c i g
lied).

2 4

294 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
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The ca di al a icle of fai h of dem c a ic ci ili a i i he e e ai a d

e ha ceme of he dig i a d h of he h ma e ali . I a M . J ice F a kf e
him elf h em ha i ed ha ma i i la e cha ac e h ld be ec ed he la ge ible
e e i hi h gh a d i hi belief a he ci adel ofhi e (Ame ica C mm ica i
A cia i , e c. . D d , 339 US 382, 421, ci ed i Phil. Bl mi g Mill Em l ee A . . Phil.
Bl mi g Mill C ., I c., e al., L-31195, J e 5, 1973, 51 SCRA 189, 200), ha he i di id al ca
f ll de el him elf a d achie e c m le e f lfillme . Hi f eed m eek hi ha i e ld
mea hi g if he ame e e gi e a c a agai he a a l of i m, he
e edie c of he a i g h , he e i of mall e c achme a d he c a d
de i i of h e h ha e a ie ce i h ge e al i ci le (J ice Ca d , The
Na e ofJ dicial P ce , 90-93, ci ed i Phil. Bl mi g Mill Em l ee A . . Phil. Bl mi g
Mill C ., I c., a, 201).
WE like i e ei e a ed i he Phili i e Bl mi g Mill ca e, a, ha he e of he
Bill of Righ i i hd a ce ai bjec f m he ici i de of li ical c e , lace
hem be d he each of maj i ie a d fficial a d e abli h hem a legal i ci le be
a lied b he C . O e igh life, be a d e , f ee eech f ee e ,
f eed f h a da e b ,a d he f da e a gh a be b ed a e; he
de e d he c e f e ec (51 SCRA 201), ch e he ca ce fb g ed, e a
a d a e fe a d c ege ad a . I he i i g la g age of La ki, he
ha i e of he i di id al, he ell-bei g of he S a e, a he c i e i b hich i beha i
a be j dged, hi i e e , i e , e he limi he a h i i a e i led
e e ci e (51 SCRA 201). Thi i di id al f eed m a d igh ha i e h ld be ec g i ed a d
e ec ed l b he S a e b al b e e i e a h i ed b he S a e e a e; f a
/
La ki e ed: Wi h f eed m of he mi d a ma ha ec i i cial de . He
ma eak gl f li hl , . Ye a de ial of hi igh i a de ial ofhi ha i e .
The eb he bec me a i me of he e le e d , him elf a e d (La ki, Libe i he
M de S a e, 73, ci ed i Ta ada a d Fe a d , C i i of he Phili i e , 1952 ed., 315).
2 5

VOL. 68, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 295

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
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A J ice H lme ced, he l ima e g d de i ed i be e eached b f ee ade i idea

ha he be e of h i he e of he h gh ge i elf acce ed i he c m e i i of he
ma ke ; a d ha h i he l g d hich hei i he afel ca be ca ied (Ab am
. U.S. 250 US 616).
The h ma mi d i b a e a i i i g mi d, he he of he e g of he e ld
i -be ee ; f f eed m of eech i he d of J h Mil i he libe k , e ,a d
a g e f eel acc di g c cie ce ab e all libe ie .
Wha i i l ed he e i me el academic f eed m of he highe i i i of lea i g a
g a a eed b Sec i 8(2) of A icle SV of he 1973 C i i . The i e he e ike a he
b ade f eed m of e e i of he i di id al he e c e of h ma libe .
E e if he e m academic f eed m e e be limi ed i i i of highe lea i g hich
he mi d ofD . Vice e Si c , a emi e a h i i C i i al La , i he igh of he
i e i a a i i i , he academic f eed m of he i e i fe (Si c , Phil.
P li ical La , 1962 ed., 489) he e m i i i ofhighe lea i g c ai ed i he af eci ed
i i of Ne C i i c m ehe d l he fac lt a d he c llege admi i a
b al he membe of he de b d . While i i e ha he i e i fe ma ha e he
i i ia i e a d e cef l e e hi e ea ch a d f m la e hi c cl i c ce i g
he blem of hi cie ce bjec , he m i a i he ef ma be ked b e i
add e ed him b hi de . I hi e ec , he de eciall a g ad a e de m
be e ai ed f m ai i g e i f m challe gi g he alidi of d gma , he he
he l gical . The e ch la e e a id , b he c a elc me a d e c age , ch
ea chi g e i e e if he ame ill ha e he e de c c e hi ig a ce. I i
he ha i e a d elf-f lfillme of he fe al e ha a e g a a eed. The ha i e a d f ll
de el me of he c i i ellec of he de a e ec ed b he a
g a a ee of academic f eed m a d m e b he b ade igh of f ee e e i , hich i cl de
f ee eech a d e , a d academic f eed m.
Af e ha i g bee admi ed he theolog c e, e i i e ca be ef ed f he
a e da ce he ei he g d ha
2 6

296 SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED

Ga c a . The Fac Ad C ee, L a
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he f e e e i a d diffic l ie e e al a e i e a d had he effec of l i g d

he g e of he cla . I eem ha hi e ec e i me el a e hemi ic
a of cha ac e i i g he e i hich migh be emba a i g he cle g he fe
he e i i e l , f he e i migh im g he alidi of hei e e , d gma a d belief .
I i ha d belie e ha he f e e e i a d diffic l ie l ed d he g e of he
cla ; beca e e de Fa he Lambi him elf ec g i ed ha e i i e i e d ed i h he
e i i e i ellec al abili a d acc di gl me i ed g ade of B+ a d B i theolog bjec .
/
 Re de b i l fea La ki hec : The he e ie e ma e da ma be he
h d ie of m . Ne h begi al a i a mi i of e; i m be me e
e ce i bef e i bec me a ge e al e ce i . The ld gai hi g f m a ef al
e e ai he ibili ha a e idea ma be e. N ca e ick a d ch e am g
e i i ha ec of cce . I ld, i deed, be ha dl be d he ma k affi m ha
a li of i i c dem ed i he a a g da ge ld be a li of he
c mm lace of ime (La ki, Libe i he M de S a e, . 75, ci ed i Ta ada a d Fe a d ,
C i i of he Phili i e , 1952 ed., 316-317).
If he fl ked i aid bjec he e i e c e, he c ld ha e bee j ifiabl de ied
e llme i he ec d eme e . B ha i he ca e he e, a af e a ed.
The e de e e ffe ed a j ifica i f hei ef i g e i i e admission he e
eme e limi a i of ace facili ie , fe a d im m cla m i e. I i d b f l he he
he ame c ld ha e bee a alid ea i ef i g he f he admission, af e he had c m lied
i h all he he e i eme .
A d he fac ha he a admi ed f ee d theolog ih i e di g be a ie , d e
eake he i i . I h ld be e ed ha ed ca i i a e eig a e f c i . I i a i al
d of he S a e hich ca delega e he ame i a e ed ca i al i i i ha a e alified
a d d l a h i ed e a e. P i a e ed ca i al i i i he ef e a e diffe e i hi
e ec f m he c mme cial blic ili ie , h e igh e i a d e a e de e d Sae
a h i . The m me he a e all ed e a e, he m abide b he C i i , la a d
im leme i g
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le of he G e me he ma e . While he c llege i e i ca e c ibe eg la i

f admission he a i c e of d ffe ed b i , hi e ga i e d e i cl de he
e e c ibe ea ab e e eg la i i la i e of he c i i al igh of he
ci i e , ch a f eed m of e e i i ge e al a d academic f eed m i a ic la . The
ed ca i al i i i e f m a m e i al f c i ha he di a blic ili ie . The
i i i of lea i g feed a d e he h ma mi d a d i i i e a b , heal h a d
ed ca ed ci i e h m a i al i al a d a i al g ea e de e d. The di a blic
ili ie me el e e he ma e ial c mf a dc e ie ce of he e le, h ca ce ai l g
li i g i h hem. B he e le ca all i da k e a d ig a ce i h ha e i g
hei e e mi a i f m he face of he ea h.
T e ea he emi de of Chief J ice Wa e : Sch a h ca f h a
a he e f c a dd . Teache a d de a a e a f ee e,
d a d e a a e, ga e a a d de a d g; he e c a
ag a e a d d e (354 US 234, 250; 1 L. ed. 2 d 1311, 1325, de c i g lied).
J ice Fe a d him elf fi i gl c cl de : I ellec al libe cc ie a lace i fe i e
i he hie a ch of h ma al e . The mi d m be f ee hi k ha i ill , he he i he
ec la eligi he e, gi e e e i i belief b al di c e h gh he media,
a d h eek he ca did ie i cca i ga he i g i m e e ma e agg ai .
Emb aced i ch c ce he a e f eed m of eligi , f eed m of eech, of he e , a embl a d
e i i , a d f eed m ofa cia i (Fe a d he Phili i e C i i , 1974 ed., . 565).
The ca e of he ei e i i e i a mild el de a ee ac me of he e ec i of J a of A c.
Sec a ia ch l h ld ha e eali ed b ha i le a ce, big a d he i i ii
elic of he Da k Age a i e he mi d a d i i of ma a d a e a i he ical hei e
f c i of i hi g he i ellec a d eadi g e ligh e me .
I m ie , he e i i e ha a clea igh , a d he e de ha e he e all clea d
all he c i e d i g theolog .
/
Pe d ed.