A.L. Dapiawen At Law

21/04/2026

Power interruption on Thursday April 23, 2026 (Kayapa and Bambang)

29/03/2026

We're open on Monday (March 30) to Wednesday (April 1) this upcoming Holy Week. Please be guided ✅

11/03/2026

"Reasonable certainty" over "probable cause"

27/02/2026

"Joinder of parties" - to Answer or not to Answer?

20/02/2026

Set in stone!

14/02/2026

Better think twice about the "risk premiums" then and back out already

25/01/2026

And finally, they haven't found anything that's worth the trouble in those samples

24/01/2026

Keep resisting DDN 👊

24/01/2026

A school has a contractual duty to maintain a safe environment for its enrolled students, which includes implementing appropriate measures and taking reasonable action to prevent or address harmful incidents such as bullying or physical assault.

“DILIGENCE OF A GOOD FATHER” IS THE STANDARD

In 2007, Rhys was repeatedly punched by classmates over a dispute involving a lost pencil during class while the teacher was in the comfort room.

Reports to several teachers and school authorities were not properly acted upon, and the school dismissed initial complaints as mere play or roughness.

Rhys’s parents filed a civil complaint against the school and other authorities for damages due to negligence in protecting their child.

RTC DECISION

The Regional Trial Court held the school and the teacher liable for negligence and awarded damages.

COURT OF APPEALS

The CA modified the decision and held that the teacher is not held negligent since he was absent at the moment of the assault. Also CA held the school directly liable for negligence and reduced some damages. 

SUPREME COURT FINAL RULING

The school was grossly negligent because it failed to prevent or properly address the bullying incident and did not exercise the diligence of a “good father of a family” in supervising and protecting the pupil.

The school cannot avoid liability simply by proving it selected competent teachers; it also had to show it fulfilled its safety obligations toward students. 

The school was ordered to pay the complainants:

₱300,000.00 for moral damages,
₱200,000.00 for exemplary damages,
₱150,000.00 for attorney’s fees,
with interest at 6% per annum from finality of the decision until full payment. 

24/01/2026