CA GR SP NO 31546 August 10 1994

SORIAO vs PINEDA

FACTS:

Louie Soriao was a high school student in the sub province of Dinalungan, Aurora (S.Y. 1993 to 1994).
Due to his reputation of talking back to school authority during the past years, he was refused
readmission to complete his fourth and final year of high school through a verbal notice not to readmit.
Soriao questioned the notice, averring that he was deprived of a hearing on the matter and thus the
verbal notice was a denial of his right to due process. The administration ignored the students plea to
reconsider its decision to deny him readmission claiming that it was their prerogative. Seeking further
remedies but to no avail, Soriao filed a petition for certiorari to the CA.

ISSUE:

1. Whether or not the petitioner was denied his right to education.

HELD:

1. YES. The Court of Appeals ordered Pineda, Head Teacher of the Juan C. Angara Memorial High
School to allow Soriao to enroll and study after he was meted out a disciplinary action without
due process. The Court of Appeals invoked the 1987 Constitution and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights. Article XIV, Sections 1 and 2 and Article II, Sections 13 and 17 of the 1987
Constitution provide: Article XIV, Section 1: The State shall protect and promote the right of all
citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all. Section 2: The State shall:

(1) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education
relevant to the needs of the people and society;

(2) Establish and maintain, a system of free public education in the elementary and high school
levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children, elementary education is
compulsory for all children of school age;

(3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and
other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools,
especially to the under-privileged;

(4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning system, as well as self-study programs
particularly those that respond to community needs; and

(5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational
efficiency, and other skills. Article II, Section 13: The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs.

Section 17: The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
liberation and development.