On May 5, 1989, 16-year old Rozanno, who was issued a student permit, drove to school a car, a gift from his parents. On even date, as his class was scheduled to go on a field trip, his teacher requested him to accommodate in his car, as he did, four (4) of his classmates because the van rented by the school was too crowded. On the way to a museum which the students were scheduled to visit, Rozanno made a wrong maneuver, causing a collision with a jeepney. One of his classmates died. He and the three (3) others were badly injured.
Who is liable for the death of Rozanno’s classmate and the injuries suffered by Rozanno and his 3 other classmates? Explain. (2%)
How about the damage to the jeepney? Explain. (2%)
Under the same facts, except the date of occurrence of the incident, this time in mid-1994, what would be your answer? Explain. (2%)
Suggested answer only. Not an official answer and not legal advice.
(a) School authorities are principally liable and parents subsidiarily liable for student casualties. (b) Only Rozanno is liable for jeepney damage. (c) In 1994, only Rozanno is personally liable. Under FC Articles 218 and 219, school authorities exercise special
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Quick check
Under Articles 218 and 219 of the Family Code, what degree of liability do school authorities bear for damages caused by minor students during a field trip?
School authorities exercise special parental authority over minor students during school activities and bear principal and solidary liability.
Under Article 219 of the Family Code, what is the nature of the parents' liability for quasi-delicts committed by minor students under school supervision?
Biological parents bear subsidiary liability for quasi-delicts committed by minor children under the special parental authority of school officials.
What law lowered the age of majority in the Philippines from twenty-one to eighteen years in December 1989?
Republic Act 6809 enacted in December 1989 lowered the statutory age of majority to eighteen years.
If a student involved in a traffic collision during a school activity is already of legal age, who bears civil liability for the resulting damages?
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Under Article 2176 of the Civil Code, what is the basis for holding a driver liable for property damage caused to another vehicle in a collision?
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1. Special Parental Authority
Under Articles 218 and 219 of the Family Code, school authorities, administrators, and teachers exercise special parental authority and responsibility over minor students while under their supervision, instruction, or custody. This authority applies to all authorized school activities, whether inside or outside school premises, such as official field trips. Under this rule, school authorities and teachers are principally and solidarily liable for damages caused by acts or omissions of minor students, while biological parents exercise subsidiary liability unless they prove exercise of proper diligence.
2. Third Party Liability
Under Article 2176 of the Civil Code in relation to quasi-delicts, liability for damage caused to third-party property, such as a damaged jeepney, rests upon the negligent driver whose direct action or improper maneuver constituted the proximate cause of the collision. While special parental authority of school officials under the Family Code covers injuries suffered by or inflicted upon students during supervised school activities, damage caused to independent third parties outside the school community remains the direct personal civil responsibility of the negligent driver.
3. Majority Age Effect
Under Republic Act No. 6809, which took effect in December 1989, the statutory age of majority in the Philippines was lowered from twenty-one to eighteen years. Upon reaching the age of majority, a person attains full legal capacity and emancipation from parental authority. Consequently, when an eighteen-year-old or older student commits a quasi-delict during a school activity, special parental authority no longer applies, rendering the adult student solely and personally liable for all resulting death, bodily injuries, and property damages.