- Petitioner
- Manuelito A. Isabelo, Jr.
- Respondent
- Perpetual Help College of Rizal
- Citation
- G.R. No. 103142
- Court
- Supreme Court En Banc
- Division
- En Banc
- Ponente
- Vitug, J.
- Decided
- November 8, 1993
Summary
A criminology student and student council officer was dropped from college enrollment allegedly for opposing tuition fee increases, though the school cited academic deficiencies including CMT requirements. The Supreme Court found the expulsion disproportionate and perceived arbitrariness in the school's actions, noting the timing coincided with the student's opposition activities. While recognizing academic freedom, the Court emphasized it must be exercised responsibly and in good faith. Since DECS had ordered readmission but administrative issues regarding the student's academic standing remained unresolved, the Court remanded the case to DECS for final determination rather than granting mandamus. The decision balanced academic freedom against student rights and due process in educational settings.