COTABATO Third District Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Talino Santos is pushing for a measure amending Republic Act 386 or the Civil Code of the Philippines to include academic educational institutions.

In her House Bill 9596, Talino-Santos said in case of torts committed to students, Article 2180 of the Civil Code provides that teachers or heads of establishments of arts and trades will be held liable for damages caused by their pupils and students or apprentices, so long as they remain in their custody.

“Glaring from this provision is the fact that it excludes all other educational institutions not classified as establishments of arts and trades,” the solon said.

To prevent any more ambiguity and completely harmonize law with jurisprudence, there is a need to amend the provision in Article 2180 to cover all educational institutions.

Based on the measure, the lady lawmaker proposed to include academic educational institutions to be liable for damages caused by their pupils and students or apprentices, so long as they remain in their custody.

“The responsibility treated of in this article shall cease when the persons herein mentioned prove that they observed all the diligence of a good father of a family to prevent damage,” the solon said.