The Supreme Court of the Philippines has made an important decision: having a baby outside of marriage is not something shameful or wrong, and it should not be used as a reason to suspend or punish someone at work.
In an 18-page ruling, the Supreme Court’s First Division declared that a Christian school in Bohol acted illegally when it suspended one of its grade school teachers back in 2016. The teacher was suspended after revealing she was pregnant but not married, which the school considered “immoral.”
What Happened to the Teacher?
The teacher, who taught subjects like language, physical education, arts, writing, and the mother tongue at the Christian school, informed her boss in September 2016 that she was two months pregnant. She told the grade school principal and the head of the school’s administrative team about her situation.
Instead of supporting her, the school told her she could not come back to work until she could prove she was married to the baby’s father. The administrative head even gave her a written notice saying she was suspended without pay and would stay suspended until she got married.
Feeling unfairly treated, the teacher filed a legal complaint claiming she had been “constructively dismissed.” This means she believed the school had forced her out of her job unfairly by creating impossible conditions for her to return.
The Legal Battle
At first, a Labor Arbiter agreed with the teacher and ruled that the school had effectively dismissed her. But the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), a government body that reviews labor disputes, disagreed and overturned the decision.
Later, the case was taken to the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA ruled that the teacher was not constructively dismissed but still found that her suspension was illegal.
Finally, the case reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the CA’s decision.
Supreme Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court emphasized that having a sexual relationship and a child outside of marriage between two consenting adults is not immoral, as long as there are no legal reasons preventing the couple from getting married. It explained that there is no law in the Philippines that says such actions are wrong.
The Court also stated that rules about morality should be based on public and secular (non-religious) standards, not religious beliefs. This means that while some people or organizations may hold certain beliefs, these cannot be used to judge or punish others in the workplace.
Because the teacher’s pregnancy was not immoral, the Supreme Court ruled that her suspension was unjust. The school was ordered to pay her back wages and all the benefits she should have received during the time she was suspended.
Why Is This Decision Important?
This case sends a strong message about fairness and respect in the workplace. It shows that personal choices, like having a child outside of marriage, should not affect a person’s job or career. The Court’s decision also reminds organizations that the law, not personal or religious beliefs, must guide their actions.
For the teacher, this decision means justice was served. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that compassion and fairness should always come first.
