SC finds principal liable for cutting trees without necessary permits

MANILA — The Supreme Court found a school principal guilty of simple misconduct and neglect of duty for cutting trees in two schools and for failing to account for materials salvaged from the demolition of five classrooms.

The 2nd Division ruled in a decision promulgated on June 2, 2026, that the principal was liable for two counts of simple misconduct for the cutting of one acacia tree at the San Jose Pilot Elementary School and one mahogany tree at Bagong Sikat Elementary School.

The court stressed that simple misconduct exists when the act does not involve additional elements of corruption, willful intent to violate the law or flagrant disregard of established rules.

“His omission merely reflected a lack of prudence in securing permits for said specific trees, rather than an intentional defiance of or disregard for established regulations,” the court said in the decision penned by Associate Justice Antonio Kho.

The cases stemmed from cutting trees in 2008 and 2014, which led to a decision of the Ombudsman in 2016 finding the principal guilty of grave misconduct, simple neglect of duty and simple misconduct for multiple offenses.

Private complainants alleged that the principal violated Republic Act No. 3571, or the Act to Prohibit the Cutting, Destroying or Injuring of Planted or Growing Trees, Flowers, Plants and Shrubs or Plants of Scenic Value Along Public Roads in Plazas, Parks, School Premises or in Any Other Public Pleasure Ground.

Aside from cutting trees without necessary permits, the Ombudsman ruled that the principal sold wood from the cut trees to a bakery amounting to P2,800, based on records.

For his part, the principal filed a petition for review before the Court of Appeals, arguing that the Ombudsman failed to establish corruption.

The CA affirmed the Ombudsman ruling that the principal’s act of selling chunks of wood to a bakery without authority and profiting by not remitting the proceeds of the sale to the school treasurer.

The SC however ruled that the supposed sale to a bakery was not supported by substantial evidence.

The SC stated that the principal admitted to selling the cut trees to Lopez but failed to observe the proper procedures in handling the proceeds.

“In the Court’s considered view, his infraction amounts only to simple misconduct, not grave misconduct,” the court said.

The SC ordered the principal’s suspension for six months as penalty.