Labor Midterm Case Digests

University of San Carlos - College of LawMidterm Case Digests Atty. Jefferson M. Marquez Compiled by: Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB-2 Rm 402 Labor Standards University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Contents PASEI vs Torres (1992) G.R. 101279 ......................................................................................................... 7 San Juan de Dios Hospital vs NLRC (1997) G.R. 126383 ............................................................................ 8 Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association vs NLRC (1997) G.R. 156225 ..................................... 9 Asuncion vs NLRC (2001) G.R. 129329 .................................................................................................... 10 Singer Sewing Machine vs NLRC () 193 SCRA 271 ................................................................................... 12 Manila Golf & Country Club, Inc., vs IAC and Fermin Llamar (1994) G.R. 64948 ...................................... 13 Encyclopaedia Britannica (Phil) Inc., vs NLRC (1996) G.R. 87098 ............................................................. 14 Carungcong vs NLRC, Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada (1997) G.R. 118086 .......................................... 15 Ramos vs Court of Appeals () 380 SCRA 467 ........................................................................................... 16 Sonza vs ABS-CBN (2004) G.R. 138051 ................................................................................................... 17 Lazaro vs Social Security Commission (2004) G.R. 138254 ...................................................................... 19 ABS-CBN vs Nazareno (2006) G.R. 164156.............................................................................................. 20 Francisco vs NLRC (2006) 500 SCRA 690 ................................................................................................. 22 Nogales et al., vs Capitol Medical Center (2006) G.R. 142625 ................................................................. 23 Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., vs Dr. Climaco (2007) G.R. 146881 .................................................................. 26 Calamba Medical Center vs NLRC (2008) G.R. 176484 ............................................................................ 27 Ollendorff vs Abrahamson (1918) G.R. 13228 ........................................................................................ 29 Del Castillo vs Richmond (1924) G.R. L-21127 ........................................................................................ 30 Philippine Telegraph & Telephone Co vs NLRC (1997) G.R. 118978 ........................................................ 31 Duncan Asso. Of Detailman-PTGWO vs Glaxo Wellcome Phils., (2004) G.R. 162994 ............................... 32 Star Paper Corp., vs Simbol (2006) G.R. 164774 ..................................................................................... 33 Rivera vs Solidbank (2006) G.R. 163269 ................................................................................................. 34 Yrasuegui vs Philippine Airlines (2008) G.R. 168081 ............................................................................... 35 Ilaw at Buklod Manggagawa vs NLRC (1991) 198 SCRA 586 .................................................................... 37 Employers Confederation of the Phils vs NWPC (1991) 201 SCRA 759 .................................................... 39 Mabeza vs NLRC () 271 SCRA 670 ........................................................................................................... 41 Joy Brothers Inc., vs NWPC (1997) 273 SCRA 622 ................................................................................... 43 Prubankers Association vs Prudential Bank (1999) 302 SCRA 74 ............................................................. 43 Millares et al., vs NLRC () 305 SCRA 501 ................................................................................................. 46 International School Alliance of Educators vs Quisumbing (2000) 333 SCRA 13 ...................................... 48 Bankard Employees Union vs NLRC (2004) G.R. 140689 ......................................................................... 50 2 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Odango vs NLRC (2005) G.R. 147420 ...................................................................................................... 52 C. Planas Commercial vs NLRC (2005) G.R. 144619 ................................................................................. 53 EJR Crafts Corp., vs CA (2006) ................................................................................................................ 54 Pag Asa Steel Works vs CA (2006) G.R. 166647 .................................................................................... 55 Equitable PCI Bank vs Sadac (2006) G.R. 164772 .................................................................................... 56 Metropolitan Bank vs NWPC (2007) G.R. 144322 ................................................................................... 57 Rajah Humabon Hotel vs Trajano (1993) G.R. 100222-23 ....................................................................... 60 Guico vs Sec of Labor (1998) G.R. 131750 .............................................................................................. 61 EJR Crafts Corp., vs Court of Appeals (2006) G.R. 154101 ....................................................................... 62 Ex Bataan Veterans Security Agency vs Sec of Labor (2007) G.R. 152396 ............................................. 63 Catholic Vicariate Baguio City vs Hon. Sto. Tomas (2008) G.R.167334 .................................................... 64 Sapio vs Undaloc Construction (2008) G.R. 155034 ................................................................................ 66 Hon. Secretary of Labor vs Panay Veterans Security and Investigation Agency (2008) G.R. 167708 ........ 67 People s Broadcasting vs Secretary of DOLE (2009) G.R. 179652 ............................................................ 69 Phil Hoteliers Inc., vs National Union of Workers in Hotel Restaurant & Allied Industries Dusit Hotel Nikko Chapter (2009) G.R. 181972 ......................................................................................................... 71 Gaa vs Court of Appeals (1985) 140 SCRA 304 ........................................................................................ 75 Nestle Phils Inc., vs NLRC (1991) 193 SCRA 504 ...................................................................................... 76 Five J Taxi vs NLRC (1992) 235 SCRA 556 ................................................................................................ 78 Manila Electric Co vs Sec of Labor (1999) G.R. 127598 ........................................................................... 80 Philippine Veterans Bank vs NLRC (1999) G.R. 130439 ........................................................................... 81 Philippine Appliance Corp., vs Court of Appeals (2004) G.R. 149434 ...................................................... 83 Special Steel Products vs Villareal (2004) G.R. 143304 ............................................................................ 84 Agabon vs NLRC (2004) G.R. 158693 ...................................................................................................... 85 American Wire & Cable Daily Rated Employees vs American Wire (2005) G.R. 155059 ........................... 86 Honda Philippines Inc., vs Samahang Manggagawa sa Honda (2005) G.R. 145561 .................................. 87 Producers Bank vs NLRC () 335 SCRA 506 ............................................................................................... 88 Jardin vs NLRC (2000) G.R. 119268 ......................................................................................................... 89 Manila Jockey Club Employees Labor Union vs Manila Jockey Club (2007) G.R. 167601.......................... 90 San Miguel Corp., vs Layoc Jr. Et al., (2007) G.R. 149640 ........................................................................ 91 San Miguel Corp vs Pontillas (2008) G.R. 155178.................................................................................... 92 3 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 ................................... 110 Salazar vs NLRC (1996) 256 SCRA 273............. 170734 ...............................R...................................................................................................... 105 Bisig Manggagawa sa Tryco vs NLRC (2008) G............................R............... 118 Lambo vs NLRC (1999) 317 SCRA 420 ...R............. 168194 ......................University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Arco Metal Products Co.R....... 116 San Miguel Corp.................R................ 120 Asian Transmission vs Court of Appeals (2004) 425 SCRA 478 ...................................... 182114 ... 93 Genesis Transport Service et al................ 121 Autobus Transport System vs Bautista (2005) G... 134 PNCC Skyway Traffic Management & Security Division Workers Organization vs PNCC Skyway Corp................ et al......................R.......... 100 Sime Darby Pilipinas Inc.............. 155214 .................................................. vs UMM Genesis Transport (2010) G..................... 157775 .....................R...............R........................................................................ (2007) G........................................................................... 125 Penaranda vs Baganga Plywood Corp (2006) G............................. et al.. 117 Tan vs Lagarama (2002) G................................................................................................R............... 140 4 Ma................................ 123 San Miguel Corp............R.... 94 Congson vs NLRC (1995) 243 SCRA 260 ................................ 113 Labor Congress of the Philippines vs NLRC (1998) G......................... vs Del Rosario (2005) G........ vs Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Arco Metal NAFLU (2008) G.................... 146775 ... 162195 ......................................................................................... 123938 . 155214 .................................................................. 103 Linton Commercial Co.R................................................................. 163147 ................................ 137 R&E Transport vs Latag (2004) G.......................................................................................... vs Chua (2008) G.... vs Hellera (2007) G..................................... 119 R&E Transport vs Latag (2004) G......................................................................................................................................... 127 House of Sara Lee vs Rey (2006) G....................... vs Layoc.......................................................... Jr... (2010) G....... vs Court of Appeals (2002) G........ (2005) G.................. 148542.... vs LEYECO IV Employees Union ALU (2007) G.......... 135 Pantranco North Express vs NLRC (1996) 259 SCRA 161 ............................. 106 Union Filipro Employees vs Vivar (1992) 205 SCRA 203 ............................................ 108 National Sugar Refinery Corp vs NLRC (1993) 220 SCRA 452 ...... 139 Gerlach vs Reuters Ltd......... vs NLRC (1998) G........... 112574 ......................R................... 149640 ... 131 San Miguel Corp..............R....R.............................................. 98 San Juan de Dios Hospital vs NLRC (1997) 282 SCRA 316 .. vs NLRC (1998) 289 SCRA 86 ................... 171231 .................... 133 Bahia Shipping Services Inc.......... 114 Mercidar Fishing Corp......... 149013 ............................................ 156364 .... 159577 ....................... 102 Philippine Airlines vs NLRC (1999) 302 SCRA 582 ........... Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .........................R...............R..................... Phils............ Inc............................................................R.............................. et al........................................................ 96 North Davao Mining vs NLRC (1996) 254 SCRA 721 ................................................................ 151228 ...............................R..........R...................... 151309 .......... 129 Leyte IV Electric Cooperative Inc......................................................................... ........................................... 165910 ................................. Inc......................................... vs Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Arco Metal NAFLU (2008) G... 166421 ........................... vs Caballeda (2009) G... 158 Philtranco Services vs NLRC (1998) G.. Ltd. 160 St................... 175460 ............... Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .. (2008) G........R...................... vs Samahan ng Malayang Manggagawa sa Honda (2005) G............. Martin Funeral Homes vs NLRC (1998) G.............. 170734 .R.... 162 Hanjin Engineering and Construction Co............................... Journalistic Inc............................................ 145561 ............. Airlines Employees Association (2008) G................... 162813 ....................... 156 UERM Memorial Medical Center vs NLRC (1997) G............ Inc.............................. vs Amarilla (2006) G..................... 170 St................................... 172 DOLE Phils.......... vs Esteva (2006) G......... 151407 ............................ vs Court of Appeals (2006) G..... 160233 .................. 1104419 .......R.............................. 165 Phil.......R.... 156225 ... 177 Letran Calamba Faculty & Employees Association vs NLRC (2008) G...............R................................................................ 156934 ....................... Larkins vs NLRC (1995) G............................................... 152 Universal Sugar Milling Corp... 150 Philippine Airlines Inc.R......R.............R. 179 5 Ma...................................... 159268 ...... 142399..........R......... 130866 ........R.......................................................... 142351 ......... 151 Arco Metal Products Co............ 156644 ..................... 124100 .......R....................................... vs Panganiban (2007) G... 148 Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association vs NLRC (1997) G. 161 Ludo & Luym Corp.... 178 Metro Transit Organization vs Piglas NFWU-KMU et al............ 162775 .R..... 145 Reyes vs NLRC (2007) G......University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Honda Phils................ 153 T/Sgt.........................................R................. vs Phil...............R..................................... et al....R........................ vs NLRC (2006) G.............................................. vs Saornido (2003) G.................R... 161115 ..............R............................ 140690 .............R.........................................R.............R........................................ 143 Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp............ Martin Funeral Homes vs NLRC (2006) G......... 173 Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp.......... 92432 ....... 142 Jaculbe vs Siliman University (2007) G........ 169 Balagtas Multi-Purpose Coop vs Court of Appeals (2006) G........R.. 175 Far East Agricultural Supply vs Lebatigue (2007) G............ 156225 ...R.................. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 6 Ma. Pursuant to the above DOLE circular. More and more administrative bodies are necessary to help in the regulation of society's ramified activities. temporarily suspending the recruitment by private employment agencies of "Filipino domestic helpers going to Hong Kong". It is noteworthy that the assailed circulars do not prohibit the petitioner from engaging in the recruitment and deployment of Filipino landbased workers for overseas employment. WON that the assailed DOLE and POEA circulars are contrary to the Constitution. 16. is broad and far-ranging as provided by Articles 15. are unreasonable. Series of 1991. Payawal). Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . It has been necessitated by "the growing complexity of the modern society" (Solid Homes. 1982 to take over the functions of the Overseas Employment Development Board. Inc. to engage in the business of obtaining overseas employment for Filipino land-based workers. Book VII of the Administrative Code of 1987. WON respondents acted with grave abuse of discretion and/or in excess of their rule-making authority in issuing said circulars? 2. The vesture of quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers in administrative bodies is not unconstitutional. the National Seamen Board. 17 and 20 of the Labor Code. the POEA Administrator also issued Memorandum Circular No. the scope of the regulatory authority of the POEA. defective and unenforceable for lack of power publication and filing in the Office of the National Administrative Register as required in Art 2 of CC. The questioned circulars are therefore a valid exercise of the police power as delegated to the executive branch of Government. Art 5 of the Labor Code and Sec 3(1) and 4. vs. Chap 2. the POEA issued Memorandum Circular No. 1. On the other hand. as a result of published stories regarding the abuses suffered by Filipino housemaids employed in Hong Kong. Article 36 of the Labor Code grants the Labor Secretary the power to restrict and regulate recruitment and placement activities. Series of 1991.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests PASEI vs Torres (1992) G. 37. On June 1991. unreasonable and oppressive. 2. The power to "restrict and regulate conferred by Article 36 of the Labor Code involves a grant of police power. 7 Ma. Pursuant to the previous issuances. through the POEA took over the business of deploying such Hong Kong-bound workers. Series of 1991. DOLE Secretary Ruben Torres issued Department Order No. including domestic helpers. The DOLE itself. Issues: 1. 30. and the overseas employment functions of the Bureau of Employment Services.R. 797 on May 1. unfair and oppressive? Held: They are in accordance but legally invalid. which was created by Executive Order No. 101279 Facts: PASIE is the largest national organization of private employment and recruitment agencies duly licensed and authorized by the POEA. providing GUIDELINES on the Government processing and deployment of Filipino domestic helpers to Hong Kong and the accreditation of Hong Kong recruitment agencies intending to hire Filipino domestic helpers. on the processing of employment contracts of domestic workers for Hong Kong. petitioners' position is also negated by the very rules and regulations promulgated by the Bureau of Labor Standards which implement Republic Act No. petitioners filed a complaint regarding their claims for statutory benefits under the above-cited law and policy issuance .7. 54 to our mind unduly extended the statute. only Article 83 of the Labor Code which appears to have substantially incorporated or reproduced the basic provisions of Republic Act No. 8 Ma. What Article 83 merely provides are: (1) the regular office hour of eight hours a day. or an additional straight-time pay which must be equivalent at least to the regular rate [f]or work performed in excess of forty hours a week xxx. The Labor Arbiter dismissed the complaint which was also confirmed by NLRC. 54 dated April 12. 54 on which the latter s validity may be gauged. Further. 5901. and (2) where the exigencies of service require that health personnel work for six days or forty-eight hours then such health personnel shall be entitled to an additional compensation of at least thirty percent of their regular wage for work on the sixth day. There is nothing in the law that supports then Secretary of Labor s assertion that personnel in subject hospitals and clinics are entitled to a full weekly wage for seven (7) days if they have completed the 40-hour/5-day workweek in any given workweek . thus. rank-and-file employees and members of San Juan de Dios Hospital Employees Association sent a 4 page letter requesting and pleading for the expeditious implementation and payment by the respondent Hospital of the 40 HOURS/5-DAY WORKWEEK with compensable weekly two (2) days off provided for by Republic Act 5901 as clarified for enforcement by the Secretary of Labor s Policy Instructions No. and 15 of the said Act. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 5901. then there appears to be no sense at all why Section 15 of the implementing rules grants additional compensation equivalent to the regular rate plus at least twentyfive percent thereof for work performed on Sunday to health personnel. 54 relies and purports to implement Republic Act No.R. The Secretary of Labor moreover erred in invoking the spirit and intent of Republic Act No. the law must be taken to mean exactly what it says. Accordingly. otherwise known as An Act Prescribing Forty Hours A Week Of Labor For Government and Private Hospitals Or Clinic Personnel . 1988. 54 issued by then Labor Secretary Franklin Drilon is valid? Held: It is invalid. hence the petition under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Juan de Dios Hospital vs NLRC (1997) G. 5901 may support Policy Instructions No. 5901 and Article 83 of the Labor Code for it is an elementary rule of statutory construction that when the language of the law is clear and unequivocal. The Policy Instruction No. Policy Instructions No. five days per week for health personnel. Issue: WON Policy Instructions No. but reliance to this RA is misplaced since it has long been repealed with the passage of the Labor Code. Respondent hospital failed to give a favourable response. 126383 Facts: Petitioners. Pertinent portions of the implementing rules provided in Sections 1. If petitioners are entitled to two days off with pay. b) profit sharing payments. because it is being paid for additional work performed in excess of the regular teaching load. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 9 Ma.R. Calamba. owing to its very nature and definition. pay for regular holidays and night differentials. 1975. c) all allowances and monetary benefits which are not considered or integrated as part of the regular basic salary of the employee at the time of the promulgation of the Decree on Dec 16. it is clear that overtime pay is an additional compensation other than and added to the regular wage or basic salary. In the same manner that payment for overtime work and work performed during special holidays is considered as additional compensation apart and distinct from an employee's regular wage or basic salary. denied and dismissed the respective complaints. or maternity leaves. Inc. Under the Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 851.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association vs NLRC (1997) G. The Labor Arbiter (LA) handling the consolidated cases. As such they are deemed not part of the basic salary and shall not be considered in the computation of the 13th-month pay. earnings and other remunerations are excluded as part of the basic salary and in the computation of the 13th-month pay. (respondent) for collection of various monetary claims due its members. vacation. The all-embracing phrase "earnings and other remunerations" which are deemed not part of the basic salary includes within its meaning payments for sick. an overload pay. Under a later set of Supplementary Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 851 issued by the then Labor Secretary Blas Ople. for reason of which such is categorically excluded from the definition of basic salary under the Supplementary Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 851. premium for works performed on rest days and special holidays. may not be considered as part of a teacher's regular or basic salary. Issue: WON the pay of the faculty members for teaching overloads should be included as basis in the computation of their 13th month pay? Held: Teaching overload may not be considered part of basic salary. overtime pay. 156225 Facts: The Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association (petitioner) filed a complaint against Colegio de San Juan de Letran. 174. As provided for by Art 87 of the Labor Code. the following compensations are deemed not part of the basic salary: a) cost-of-living allowances granted pursuant to PD 525 and Letter of Instruction No. private respondents referred to the record book as its basis for petitioner s alleged absenteeism and tardiness. The failure of the employer to discharge this burden means that the dismissal is not justified and that the employee is entitled to reinstatement and back wages. In order for the dismissal to be valid. After the inspection conducted in the respondent s company premises for a violation of the lbor standards for non-coverage. He cannot be deprived of his work without due process. the employee must also be given an opportunity to be heard and defend himself. Interestingly. The Court. Asuncion was employed as an accountant/bookkeeper by the respondent (Mabini Medical Clinic). however. casts serious doubts on the factual basis of the charges of absenteeism and tardiness. some of which were allegedly committed almost a year before. In the memorandum charging petitioner and notice of termination. the authenticity thereof is highly suspect and devoid of any rational probative value especially in the light of the existence of the official record book of the petitioner s alleged absences and tardiness in the possession of the employer company. private respondent. the Court held that what would qualify as sufficient or ample opportunity. however. Issue: WON NLRC erred in finding that the petitioner was dismissed by the private respondent for a just or authorized cause? Held: Petitioner has been illegally terminated. 23 half-days and 108 tardiness).University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Asuncion vs NLRC (2001) G. Private respondents had possession thereof and the opportunity to present the same. Petitioner was then required to explain within 2 days why she will not be terminated. getting salary of an absent employee without acknowledging or signing for it. In the case at bar. Private respondents claimed that they sent several notices to the petitioner warning her of her absences. This prompted petitioner to file for a case of illegal termination which was judged by the Labor Arbiter to be true. considering that she was charged with several offenses and infractions (35 absences. takes note of the fact that the two-day period given to petitioner to explain and answer the charges against her was most unreasonable. both the handwritten listing and computer print-outs being unsigned. Ma. not only must it be based on just cause supported by clear and convincing evidence. Three days later. and disobedience and insubordination for continued refusal of signing memos given to her. loitering and wasting of company time. Thus. In Ruffy v. private respondents unexplained and unjustified non-presentation of the record book. likewise. would be every kind of assistance that management must accord to the employee to enable him to prepare adequately for his defense.R. she is necessarily entitled to reinstatement to her former previous position without loss of seniority and the payment of backwages. which is the best evidence in its possession and control of the charges against the petitioner. Medical Director Wifrido Juco issued a memorandum to petitioner charging her with chronic absenteeism. petitioner submitted her response to the memo but was also dismissed on ground of disobedience of lawful orders and failure to submit her reply in 2 days. The law mandates that every opportunity and assistance must be accorded to the employee by the management to enable him to prepare adequately for his defense. as required by law. 129329 Facts: On Aug 1993. habitual tardiness. the record book was never presented in evidence. NLRC. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 10 . It bears stressing that a worker s employment is property in the constitutional sense. petitioner refused to receive the same. not to mention the fact that the charges levelled against her lacked particularity. on Aug 1994. It is the employer who has the burden of proving that the dismissal was with just or authorized cause. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 11 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The nature of the relationship between a company and its collecting agents depends on the circumstances of each particular relationship. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 12 Ma. The company files the present petition on the determination of the relationship. There is no constitutional and legal basis for their union to be granted their petition for direct certification. The present case calls for the application of the control test. The company opposed the petition mainly because the union members are not employees but independent contractors as evidenced by the collection agency agreement which they signed. The requirement that collection agents utilize only receipt forms and report forms issued by the company and that reports shall be submitted at least once a week is not necessarily an indication of control over the means by which the job collection is to be performed. The plain language of the agreement reveals that the designation as collection agent does not create an employment relationship and that the applicant is to be considered at all times as an independent contractor. If the union members are not employees. Even if report requirements are to be called control measures. Issue: WON there exists an employer-employee relationship between the parties. Drilon.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Singer Sewing Machine vs NLRC () 193 SCRA 271 Facts: Singer Machine Collectors Union-Baguio filed a petition for direct certification as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of all collectors of Singer Sewing Machine. would lead to the conclusion that no employee-employer relationship exists. no right to organize for the purpose of bargaining or as a bargaining agent cannot be recognized. The agreement confirms the status of the collecting agents as independent contractor. The court finds that since private respondents are not employees of the company. any control is only with respect to the end result of the collection since the requirements regulate the things to be done after the performance of the collection job or the rendition of service. Med-Arbiter ruled that there exists an employee-employer relationship and granted the certification election which was affirmed by Sec. The union insist that the provisions of the Collection Agreement belie the company s position that the union members are independent contractors. payment of wages. The following elements are generally considered in the determination of the relationship: the selection and engagement of the employee. which if not satisfied. Held: Respondents are not employees of the company. Not all collecting agents are employees and neither are all collecting agents independent contractors. power of dismissal and the power to control the employee s conduct which is the most important element. they are not entitled to the constitutional right to form or join a labor organization for the purposes of collective bargaining. it may be supposed. showing that the Club has not the measure of control over the incidents of the caddies' work and compensation that an employer would possess. Issue: WON there exist an employer-employee relationship between the cadies and the Golf Club? Held: No existence of employer-employee relationship. on the other hand. they were not the Club's employees. A caddy is not required to exercise his occupation in the premises of petitioner. the latter had not registered them as such with the SSS. any discipline may be meted them beyond barring them from the premises which.. He may work with any other golf club or he may seek employment a caddy or otherwise with any entity or individual without restriction by petitioner. the Club may do in any case even absent any breach of the rules. It seems to the Court. vs IAC and Fermin Llamar (1994) G. however. were allowed into the Club premises to render services as such to the individual members and guests playing the Club's golf course and who themselves paid for such services. the petitioners were not subject to the direction and control of the Club as regards the manner in which they performed their work. For all that is made to appear. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . They alleged that although the petitioners were employees of the Manila Golf and Country Club. free to leave anytime they please. In the case before the SSC. and hence. caddies must submit to some supervision of their conduct while enjoying the privilege of pursuing their occupation within the premises and grounds of whatever club they do their work in. 13 Ma. a caddy who is absent when his turn number is called simply losing his turn to serve and being assigned instead the last number for the day. is less a measure of employer control than an assurance that the work is fairly distributed. In the very nature of things.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Manila Golf & Country Club. It is not pretended that if found remiss in the observance of said rules.R. that the intendment of such fact is to the contrary. as pointed out by petitioner which was never refuted that: has no means of compelling the presence of a caddy. caddies by occupation. to stay away for as long they like. All these considerations clash frontally with the concept of employment. they work for the club to which they attach themselves on sufferance but. The IAC would point to the fact that the Club suggests the rate of fees payable by the players to the caddies as still another indication of the latter's status as employees. 64948 Facts: Respondents were caddies and employees of Manila Golf & Country Club who originally filed a petition with the Social Security Commission (SSC) for coverage and availment of benefits under the Social Security Act. also without having to observe any working hours. Court agree that the group rotation system so-called. that as such caddies. the respondent Club alleged that the petitioners. Moreover. a domestic corporation. Inc. and without violating any right to work on their part. he could not be employed elsewhere and he would be required to devote full time for petitioner. Had he been an employee of the company. goodwill and logo. private respondent received commissions from the products sold by his agents. He then filed a complaint against petitioner Encyclopaedia Britannica with DOLE. received commissions there from. agreed upon that office expenses would be deducted from private respondent s commissions. petitioner argued that it had no control and supervision over the complainant as to the manner and means he conducted his business operations. In ascertaining whether the relationship is that of employer-employee or one of independent contractor. Limjoco was aware of conflict with other interests which xxx have increasingly required my personal attention . where a person who works for another does so more or less at his own pleasure and is not subject to definite hours or conditions of work. The salaries of his secretary. At the time he was connected with the petitioner company. If private respondent was indeed an employee. Petitioner would also be informed about appointments. each case must be determined by its own facts and all features of the relationship are to be considered. On June 1974. He was also allowed to use petitioner s name. and sales representatives were chargeable to his commissions. Thus. claiming for non-payment of separation pay and other benefits. 87098 Facts: Private respondent Benjamin Limjoco was a Sales Division Manager of petitioner Encyclopaedia Britannica and was in charge of selling petitioner s products through some sales representatives. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . promotions. it was rather unusual for him to wait for more than a year from his separation from work before he decided to file his claims. private respondent was also a director and later the president of the Farmers Rural Bank.. the latter did not even report to the office of the petitioner and did not observe fixed office hours Issue: WON there exist an employer-employee relationship and necessarily entitles Limjoco of his claims? Held: Private respondent was merely an agent or an independent dealer of the petitioner. As compensation. it would indicate that petitioner has no effective control over the personal activities of Limjoco. moreover. Respondent was free to conduct his work and he was free to engage in other means of livelihood. Limjoco did not have any salary and his income from the company was dependent on the volume of sales accomplished. Petitioner alleged that Limjoco was not its employee but an independent dealer authorized to promote and sell its products and in return. It was. and also illegal deduction from his sales commissions.R. As he pointed out in his resignation letter. Limjoco resigned from office to pursue his private business. and maintained his own workforce. and in turn is compensated according to the result of his efforts and not the amount thereof. however. and transfers of employees in private respondent s district. As pointed out the element of control is absent. who as admitted by the latter had other conflict of interest requiring his personal attention. 14 Ma. He also had his own separate office.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Encyclopaedia Britannica (Phil) Inc. vs NLRC (1996) G. At the very least. financed the business expenses. utility man. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Carungcong vs NLRC, Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada (1997) G.R. 118086 Facts: Susan Carungcong began as an agent of Sun Life in 1974, she signed an Agent s Agreement and was designated to solicit applications for insurance and annuity services. The contract set out in detail the terms and conditions particularly those concerning the commissions payable to her under which her relationship with the company would be governed. Five years later, said contract was superseded by 2 new agreements: first, is the "Career Agent's (or Unit Manager's) Agreement," dealt with such matters as the agent's commissions, his obligations, limitations on his authority, and termination of the agreement by death, or by written notice "with or without cause." It declared that the "Agent shall be an independent contractor and none of the terms of agreement shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relationship; second, was titled, "MANAGER'S Supplementary Agreement." Making explicit reference to the first agreement "which became effective on the 1st day of July, 1979" said second contract explicitly described as a "further agreement" contained provisions regarding remuneration (overriding commissions in accordance with a fixed schedule), limitation of authority, and termination of the agreement inter alia by written notice "without cause." Subsequently, Carungcong and Sun Life executed another Agreement - by which the former was named New Business Manager with the function generally "to manage a New Business Office established by her and to obtain applications for life insurance policies and other products offered by or distributed through Sun Life and to perform such other duties in connection therewith as Sun Life may require from time to time." This latest Agreement stressed that the "New Business Manager in performance of his duties defined herein, shall be considered an independent contractor and not . . an employee of Sun Life," and that "under no circumstance shall the New Business Manager and/or his employees be considered employees of Sun Life." After receiving reports of anomalies in relation thereto from unit managers and agents by the company s VP, the Manager of Sun Life's Internal Audit Department, commenced an inquiry into the special fund availments of Carungcong and other New Business Managers which later prompted the petitioner s termination. She then instituted proceedings for vindication in the Arbitration Branch of the National Labor Relations Commission where she succeeded in obtaining a favorable judgment finding that there existed an employeremployee relationship between her and Sun Life; ruled that she had been illegally dismissed, thus entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and other benefits. Issue: WON there existed an employer-employee relationship between Caruncong and Sunlife? Held: Carungcong was an independent contractor and not an employee of Sun Life. The contracts she had willingly and knowingly signed with Sun Life repeatedly and clearly provided that said agreements were terminable by either party by written notice with or without cause. Noteworthy is that this last agreement, it was emphasized, like the "Career Agent's (or Unit Manager's) Agreement" first signed by her, that in the performance of her duties defined herein. Carungcong would be considered an independent contractor and not . . an employee of Sun Life," and that "(u)nder no circumstance shall the New Business Manager and/or his employees be considered employees of Sun Life." 15 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Ramos vs Court of Appeals () 380 SCRA 467 Facts: Petitioner Erlinda Ramos was advised to undergo an operation for the removal of her stone in the gall bladder. She was referred to Dr. Hosaka, a surgeon, who agreed to do the operation. The operation was scheduled on June 17, 1985 in the De los Santos Medical Center. Erlinda was admitted to the medical center the day before the operation. On the following day, she was ready for operation as early as 7:30 am. Around 9:30, Dr. Hosaka has not yet arrived. By 10 am, Rogelio wanted to pull out his wife from the operating room. Dr. Hosaka finally arrived at 12:10 pm more than 3 hours of the scheduled operation. Dr. Guiterres tried to intubate Erlinda. The nail beds of Erlinda were bluish discoloration in her left hand. At 3 pm, Erlinda was being wheeled to the Intensive care Unit and stayed there for a month. Since the ill-fated operation, Erlinda remained in comatose condition until she died. The family of Ramos sued them for damages. Issue: WON there was an employee-employer relationship that existed between the Medical Center and Drs. Hosaka and Guiterrez. Held: No employer-employee between the doctors and hospital. Private Hospitals hire, fire and exercise real control over their attending and visiting consultant staff. While consultants are not technically employees, the control exercised, the hiring and the right to terminate consultants fulfill the hallmarks of an employer-employee relationship with the exception of payment of wages. The control test is determining. In applying the four fold test, DLSMC cannot be considered an employer of the respondent doctors. It has been consistently held that in determining whether an employer-employee relationship exists between the parties, the following elements must be present: (1) selection and engagement of services; (2) payment of wages; (3) the power to hire and fire; and (4) the power to control not only the end to be achieved, but the means to be used in reaching such an end. The hospital does not hire consultants but it accredits and grants him the privilege of maintaining a clinic and/or admitting patients. It is the patient who pays the consultants. The hospital cannot dismiss the consultant but he may lose his privileges granted by the hospital. The hospital s obligation is limited to providing the patient with the preferred room accommodation and other things that will ensure that the doctor s orders are carried out. The court finds that there is no employer-employee relationship between the doctors and the hospital. 16 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Sonza vs ABS-CBN (2004) G.R. 138051 Facts: In May 1994, ABS-CBN signed an agreement with Mel & Jay Management and Development Corp for a radio and television program. ABS-CBN agreed to pay for SONZA s services a monthly talent fee of P310,000 for the first year and P317,000 for the second and third year of the Agreement. ABS-CBN would pay the talent fees on the 10th and 25th days of the month. On April 1996, Sonza wrote a letter to ABS-CBN President Eugenio Lopez III about a recent event concerning his programs and career, and that the said violation of the company has breached the agreement, thus, the notice of rescission of Agreement was sent. At the end of the same month, Sonza filed a complaint against ABS-CBN before the DOLE for non-payment of salaries, separation pay, service incentive leave pay, 13th month pay, signing bonus, travel allowance and amounts due under the Employees Stock Option Plan (ESOP) which was opposed by ABS-CBN on the ground there was no employer-employee relationship existed between the parties. Issue: WON Sonza was an employee or independent contractor? Held: There was no employer-employee relationship that existed, but that of an independent contractor. Case law has consistently held that the elements of an employer-employee relationship are: (a) The selection and engagement of the employee - ABS-CBN engaged SONZA s services to co-host its television and radio programs because of SONZA s peculiar skills, talent and celebrity status. The specific selection and hiring of SONZA, because of his unique skills, talent and celebrity status not possessed by ordinary employees, is a circumstance indicative, but not conclusive, of an independent contractual relationship. (b) The payment of wages - ABS-CBN directly paid SONZA his monthly talent fees with no part of his fees going to MJMDC. All the talent fees and benefits paid to SONZA were the result of negotiations that led to the Agreement. If SONZA were ABS-CBN s employee, there would be no need for the parties to stipulate on benefits such as "SSS, Medicare, x x x and 13th month pay" which the law automatically incorporates into every employer-employee contract. (c) The power of dismissal - For violation of any provision of the Agreement, either party may terminate their relationship. During the life of the Agreement, ABS-CBN agreed to pay SONZA s talent fees as long as "AGENT and Jay Sonza shall faithfully and completely perform each condition of this Agreement." Even if it suffered severe business losses, ABS-CBN could not retrench SONZA because ABS-CBN remained obligated to pay SONZA s talent fees during the life of the Agreement. (d) The employer s power to control the employee on the means and methods by which the work is accomplished - The control test is the most important test. This test is based on the extent of control the hirer exercises over a worker. The greater the supervision and control the hirer exercises, the more likely the worker is deemed an employee. The converse holds true as well the less control the hirer exercises, the more likely the worker is considered an independent contractor. First, ABS-CBN engaged SONZA s services specifically to co-host the "Mel & Jay" programs. ABS-CBN did not assign any other work to SONZA. To perform his work, SONZA only needed his skills and talent. How SONZA delivered his lines, appeared on television, and sounded on radio were outside ABS-CBN s control. SONZA did not have to render eight hours of work per day. The Agreement required SONZA to 17 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 but simply to protect the investment of the broadcast station. the huge talent fees partially compensates for exclusivity. Lastly. The hiring of exclusive talents is a widespread and accepted practice in the entertainment industry. the Agreement prohibited SONZA from criticizing in his shows ABS-CBN or its interests. Clearly. exclusivity is not necessarily the same as control. being an exclusive talent does not by itself mean that SONZA is an employee of ABS-CBN. The clear implication is that SONZA had a free hand on what to say or discuss in his shows provided he did not attack ABS-CBN or its interests. a much higher fee is paid to talents who agree to work exclusively for a particular radio or television station. The broadcast station normally spends substantial amounts of money. not to employees of radio and television stations. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 ." The KBP code applies to broadcasters. Second.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests attend only rehearsals and tapings of the shows." Normally. The Agreement stipulates that SONZA shall abide with the rules and standards of performance "covering talents" of ABS-CBN. time and effort "in building up its talents as well as the programs they appear in and thus expects that said talents remain exclusive with the station for a commensurate period of time. In short.and post-production staff meetings. Even an independent contractor can validly provide his services exclusively to the hiring party. 18 Ma. This practice is not designed to control the means and methods of work of the talent. The code of conduct imposed on SONZA under the Agreement refers to the "Television and Radio Code of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas (KBP). Broadcasters are not necessarily employees of radio and television stations. the rules and standards of performance referred to in the Agreement are those applicable to talents and not to employees of ABS-CBN. However. which has been adopted by the COMPANY (ABS-CBN) as its Code of Ethics. The Agreement does not require SONZA to comply with the rules and standards of performance prescribed for employees of ABS-CBN. In the broadcast industry. as well as pre. ABS-CBN could not dictate the contents of SONZA s script. Lazaro had failed during the said period. Lazaro denied that Laudato was a sales supervisor of Royal Star. Laudato alleged that despite her employment as sales supervisor of the sales agents for Royal Star from April of 1979 to March of 1986. As such. The fact that Laudato was paid by way of commission does not preclude the establishment of an employeremployee relationship. In Grepalife v. Laudato oversaw and supervised the sales agents of the company. to report her to the SSC for compulsory coverage or remit Laudato s social security contributions. The SSC examined the cash vouchers issued by Royal Star to Laudato. proprietor of Royal Star. Lazaro also maintained that Laudato was not subjected to definite hours and conditions of work. 19 Ma.R. whether the employer controls or has reserved the right to control the employee.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Lazaro vs Social Security Commission (2004) G. not only as to the result of the work done. and thus was subject to the control of management as to how she implements its policies and its end results. averring instead that she was a mere sales agent whom he paid purely on commission basis. she could not be deemed an employee of Royal Star. despite the fact that the compensation that the agents on commission received was not paid by the company but by the investor or the person insured. 138254 Facts: Rosalina Laudato filed a petition before the SSC for social security coverage and remittance of unpaid monthly social security contributions against her three (3) employers. which is engaged in the business of selling home appliances. that is. Issue: WON Laudato is considered employee of Royal Star Marketing? Held: Laudato is an employee of Royal Star and as such is entitled to the coverage of Social Security Law. Judico. It is an accepted doctrine that for the purposes of coverage under the Social Security Act. found that Laudato was a sales supervisor and not a mere agent. The Memorandum evinces the fact that Royal Star exercised control over its sales supervisors or agents such as Laudato as to the means and methods through which these personnel performed their work. the Court upheld the existence of an employer-employee relationship between the insurance company and its agents. but also as to the means and methods by which the same is accomplished. also as upheld by the Court of Appeals. calling cards of Royal Star denominating Laudato as a Sales Supervisor of the company. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Among them was Angelito Lazaro. A piece of documentary evidence appreciated by the SSC is Memorandum dated 3 May 1980 of Teresita Lazaro. As such. whether the "employer" controls or has reserved the right to control the "employee" not only as to the result of the work to be done but also as to the means and methods by which the same is to be accomplished. The finding of the SSC that Laudato was an employee of Royal Star is supported by substantial evidence. and Certificates of Appreciation issued by Royal Star to Laudato in recognition of her unselfish and loyal efforts in promoting the company. It should also be emphasized that the SSC. as stated earlier. the determination of employer-employee relationship warrants the application of the control test. General Manager of Royal Star. directing that no commissions were to be given on all main office sales from walk-in customers and enjoining salesmen and sales supervisors to observe this new policy. The relevant factor remains. or where the work is continuous or intermittent. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The reason being that a customary appointment is not indispensable before one may be formally declared as having attained regular status. that they did not observe the required office hours. whether continuous or intermittent. prepare and arrange airtime schedule for public service announcement and complaints. 164156 Facts: ABS-CBN employed respondents Nazareno. Where a person has rendered at least one year of service. and that the DYAB studio operations would be handled by the studio technician. 1996 to Dec 11. Deiparine. Holiday Pay. The provisions of written agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and regardless of the oral agreement of the parties. the employment is considered regular as long as the activity exists. etc. However. and that they were permitted to join other productions during their free time are not conclusive of the nature of their employment. Article 280 of the Labor Code provides: REGULAR AND CASUAL EMPLOYMENT. man based control radio. e) Assist. since petitioner refused to recognize PAs as part of the bargaining unit. Due to a memorandum assigning PA s to non-drama programs. and 13th Month Pay with Damages against the petitioner before the NLRC. respondents filed a Complaint for Recognition of Regular Employment Status. Sick Leave Pay.R. regardless of the nature of the activity performed. Service Incentive Pay. Premium Pay. They were issued ABS-CBN employees identification cards and were required to work for a minimum of eight hours a day. Issue: WON the respondents are regular employees? Held: Respondents are considered regular employees of ABS-CBN and are entitled to the benefits granted to all regular employees. They are regular employees who perform several different duties under the control and direction of ABS-CBN executives and supervisors. 2000. log clerical reports. an employment shall be deemed to be regular where the employee has been engaged to perform activities which are usually necessary or desirable in the usual business or trade of the employer except where the employment has been fixed for a specific project or undertaking the completion or termination of which has been determined at the time of the engagement of the employee or where the work or services to be performed is seasonal in nature and the employment is for the duration of the season.000. On Oct 12. d) Facilitate.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests ABS-CBN vs Nazareno (2006) G. 20 Ma. Petitioner and the ABS-CBN Rank-and-File Employees executed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to be effective during the period from Dec 11. 1999. They were assigned at the news and public affairs. prepare schedule of reporters for scheduled news reporting and lead-in or incoming reports. and f) Record. The fact that respondents received pre-agreed talent fees instead of salaries. arrange personalities for air interviews. There was a revision of the schedule and assignments and that respondent Gerzon was assigned as the full-time PA of the TV News Department reporting directly to Leo Lastimosa. anchor program interview. including Sundays and holidays. and Lerasan as production assistants (PAs) on different dates. Gerzon. Underpayment of Overtime Pay. is deemed regular with respect to the activity performed and while such activity actually exists. b) Coordinate. for various radio programs in the Cebu Broadcasting Station. with a monthly compensation of P4. arrange airing of commercial broadcasting based on the daily operations log and digicart of respondent ABS-CBN. respondents were not included to the CBA. c) Coordinate. They were made to: a) Prepare. Any employee who has rendered at least one year of service. whether continuous or broken. The degree of control and supervision exercised by petitioner over respondents through its supervisors negates the allegation that respondents are independent contractors. and respondents are highly dependent on the petitioner for continued work. The employer-employee relationship between petitioner and respondents has been proven by the ff: First. What determines whether a certain employment is regular or otherwise is the character of the activities performed in relation to the particular trade or business taking into account all the circumstances. Respondents did not have the power to bargain for huge talent fees. does not furnish an independent business or professional service. such work is a regular employment of such employee and not an independent contractor. a circumstance negating independent contractual relationship. 21 Ma. In the selection and engagement of respondents.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests There are two kinds of regular employees under the law: (1) those engaged to perform activities which are necessary or desirable in the usual business or trade of the employer. and in some cases the length of time of its performance and its continued existence. talent or celebrity status was required from them because they were merely hired through petitioner s personnel department just like any ordinary employee. no peculiar or unique skill. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . relative to the employer. Second. Third. Petitioner could always discharge respondents should it find their work unsatisfactory. and (2) those casual employees who have rendered at least one year of service. The so-called talent fees of respondents correspond to wages given as a result of an employer-employee relationship. with respect to the activities in which they are employed. The presumption is that when the work done is an integral part of the regular business of the employer and when the worker. Fourth. the court observed the need to consider the existing economic conditions prevailing between the parties. She did not anymore report to work since she was not paid for her salary. She was assigned to handle recruitment of all employees and perform management administration functions. skill. Thus. She was designated as accountant and corporate secretary and was assigned to handle all the accounting needs of the company. in addition to the standard of right-of-control like the inclusion of the employee in the payrolls. the existing economic conditions prevailing between the parties. Generally. can help in determining the existence of an employer-employee relationship. 22 Ma. In 1996. In 2001. and (7) the degree of dependency of the worker upon the employer for his continued employment in that line of business. Held: Petitioner is an employee of Kasei Corporation. The court held that in this jurisdiction.500 per month which was until September. (4) the worker s opportunity for profit and loss. She was also designated as Liason Officer to the City of Manila to secure permits for the operation of the company. Court of Appeals. courts have relied on the so-called right of control test where the person for whom the services are performed reserves a right to control not only the end to be achieved but also the means to be used in reaching such end. In Sevilla v. Petitioner was designated as Acting Manager. The better approach would therefore be to adopt a two-tiered test involving: (1) the putative employer s power to control the employee with respect to the means and methods by which the work is to be accomplished. there has been no uniform test to determine the existence of an employer-employee relation. and (2) the underlying economic realities of the activity or relationship. judgment or foresight required for the success of the claimed independent enterprise. (2) the extent of the worker s investment in equipment and facilities. She asked for her salary but was informed that she was no longer connected to the company. Kasei Corporation reduced her salary to P2. to give a clearer picture in determining the existence of an employer-employee relationship based on an analysis of the totality of economic circumstances of the worker. The proper standard of economic dependence is whether the worker is dependent on the alleged employer for his continued employment in that line of business. like the inclusion of the employee in the payrolls. (6) the permanency and duration of the relationship between the worker and the employer. She filed an action for constructive dismissal with the Labor Arbiter. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the determination of the relationship between employer and employee depends upon the circumstances of the whole economic activity. Issue: WON there was an employer-employee relationship. she was replaced by Liza Fuentes as Manager. In addition to the standard of right-of-control. (5) the amount of initiative. The Labor Arbiter found that the petitioner was illegally dismissed. such as: (1) the extent to which the services performed are an integral part of the employer s business. NLRC affirmed the decision while CA reversed it.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Francisco vs NLRC (2006) 500 SCRA 690 Facts: Petitoner was hired by Kasei Corporation during the incorporation stage. (3) the nature and degree of control exercised by the employer. with the power to dismiss her for cause. Respondent Corporation hired and engaged petitioner for compensation. 23 Ma. and is economically dependent upon respondent for her continued employment in that line of business. there is no doubt that petitioner is an employee of Kasei Corporation because she was under the direct control and supervision of Seiji Kamura. It is therefore apparent that petitioner is economically dependent on respondent corporation for her continued employment in the latter s line of business.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests By applying the control test. She was selected and engaged by the company for compensation. More importantly. Her main job function involved accounting and tax services rendered to Respondent Corporation on a regular basis over an indefinite period of engagement. Respondent Corporation had the power to control petitioner with the means and methods by which the work is to be accomplished. There can be no other conclusion that petitioner is an employee of respondent Kasei Corporation. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the corporation s Technical Consultant. While on her last trimester of pregnancy. however. Issue: WON CMC is vicariously liable for the negligence of Dr. an exception to this principle.. the hiring. There was no showing that CMC had a part in diagnosing Corazon's condition. While Dr. which CMC considered an emergency. the Court finds no single evidence pointing to CMC's exercise of control over Dr. It is undisputed that throughout Corazon's pregnancy. 142625 Facts: Corazon was under the exclusive care of Dr Oscar Estrada beginning the fourth month of her pregnancy.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Nogales et al. Villaflor. Estrada's treatment and management of Corazon's condition. Considering these circumstances. Estrada enjoyed staff privileges at CMC. she was under the exclusive prenatal care of Dr. such test essentially determines whether an employment relationship exists between a physician and a hospital based on the exercise of control over the physician as to details. Estrada and other physicians and a certain nurse for Corazon s death. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Sycamore Municipal Hospital. While the Court in Ramos did not expound on the control test. At the time of Corazon's admission at CMC and during her delivery. Court had the occasion to determine the relationship between a hospital and a consultant or visiting physician and the liability of such hospital for that physician's negligence: While "consultants" are not. CMC merely allowed Dr.R. Corazon started to experience mild labor pains prompting Spouses Nogales to see Dr. Corazon died after giving birth to the child. In assessing whether such a relationship in fact exists. This exception is also known as the "doctrine of apparent authority. Estrada is not an employee of CMC. After examining Corazon. it was Dr. technically employees. Court of Appeals. the employer (or the hospital) must have the right to control both the means and the details of the process by which the employee (or the physician) is to accomplish his task In the present case. The hospital may be liable if the physician is the "ostensible" agent of the hospital. who attended to Corazon. but an independent contractor. Specifically. Eventually. we rule that for the purpose of allocating responsibility in medical negligence cases. Petitioners charged CMC with negligence in the selection and supervision of defendant physicians and hospital staff. the control test is determining. Estrada? Held: CMC is vicariously liable. Accordingly. In general. Dr Estrada noted an increase of her blood pressure and development of leg edema indicating preeclampsia which is a dangerous complication of pregnancy. Estrada. Estrada at his home. Petitioners mainly contended that defendant physicians and CMC personnel were negligent in the treatment and management of Corazon's condition. such fact alone did not make him an employee of CMC. Estrada." In Gilbert v. and the right to terminate consultants all fulfill the important hallmarks of an employer-employee relationship. vs Capitol Medical Center (2006) G. with the exception of the payment of wages. a point which respondent hospital asserts in denying all responsibility for the patient's condition. a hospital is not liable for the negligence of an independent contractor-physician. There is. the control exercised. Estrada to use its facilities when Corazon was about to give birth. which prompted the petitioners to file a complaint for damages against CMC. an employer-employee relationship in effect exists between hospitals and their attending and visiting physicians. Estrada advised her immediate admission to the Capitol Medical Center. assisted by Dr. Around midnight of 25 May 1976. In Ramos v. the Illinois Supreme Court explained the doctrine of apparent authority in this wise: 24 Ma. Dr. Dr. on the basis of the foregoing. Dr. the release forms of CMC cannot relieve CMC from liability for the negligent medical treatment of Corazon. CMC clothed Dr. the hospital need not make express representations to the patient that the treating physician is an employee of the hospital." The element of "holding out" on the part of the hospital does not require an express representation by the hospital that the person alleged to be negligent is an employee. Dr. Rather. Through CMC's acts. CMC cannot now repudiate such authority. Thus. (2) where the acts of the agent create the appearance of authority. There can be no clearer example of a contract of adhesion than one arising from such a dire situation. The first factor focuses on the hospital's manifestations and is sometimes described as an inquiry whether the hospital acted in a manner which would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the individual who was alleged to be negligent was an employee or agent of the hospital. the [CMC]. Such a person is literally at the mercy of the hospital. Estrada's relationship with CMC played a significant role in the Spouses Nogales' decision in accepting Dr. It is sometimes characterized as an inquiry on whether the plaintiff acted in reliance upon the conduct of the hospital or its agent. the plaintiff must also prove that the hospital had knowledge of and acquiesced in them. the element is satisfied if the hospital holds itself out as a provider of emergency room care without informing the patient that the care is provided by independent contractors. he cannot bargain on equal footing with the hospital on the terms of admission and operation. The doctrine of apparent authority essentially involves two factors to determine the liability of an independent-contractor physician. Estrada's services as the obstetrician-gynecologist for Corazon's delivery. The records show that the Spouses Nogales relied upon a perceived employment relationship with CMC in accepting Dr. a plaintiff must show that: (1) the hospital. Estrada to handle Corazon's delivery not only because of their friend's recommendation. Even simple negligence is not subject to blanket release in favor of establishments like hospitals but may only mitigate liability depending on the circumstances. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Under the doctrine of apparent authority a hospital can be held vicariously liable for the negligent acts of a physician providing care at the hospital. rather a representation may be general and implied. acted in a manner that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the individual who was alleged to be negligent was an employee or agent of the hospital. that the physician is an independent contractor. the Spouses Nogales knew or should have known that Dr. Rogelio testified that he and his wife specifically chose Dr. and (3) the plaintiff acted in reliance upon the conduct of the hospital or its agent. Estrada's services. Estrada's "connection with a reputable hospital. 25 Ma. In this regard. or its agent. The second factor focuses on the patient's reliance. Estrada was an employee or agent of CMC. Estrada was not an employee of CMC. consistent with ordinary care and prudence. unless the patient knows. The elements of the action have been set out as follows: "For a hospital to be liable under the doctrine of apparent authority. Moreover. consistent with ordinary care and prudence. as earlier stated. but more importantly because of Dr. there is no showing that before and during Corazon's confinement at CMC. When a person needing urgent medical attention rushes to a hospital. In the instant case. regardless of whether the physician is an independent contractor. Estrada with apparent authority thereby leading the Spouses Nogales to believe that Dr. Estrada as a member of its medical staff." In other words. or should have known. CMC impliedly held out Dr. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., vs Dr. Climaco (2007) G.R. 146881 Facts: Dr. Dean Climaco is a medical doctor who was hired by petitioner Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc. by virtue of a Retainer Agreement for a period of 1 year with a monthly salary of Three Thousand Eight Hundred (P3,800.00). The Retainer Agreement, which began on January 1, 1988, was renewed annually. The last one expired on December 31, 1993. Despite the non-renewal of the Retainer Agreement, respondent continued to perform his functions as company doctor to Coca-Cola until he received a letter from petitioner company concluding their retainership agreement effective 30 days from receipt thereof. Petitioner was already making inquiries regarding his status with the company. First, he wrote a letter addressed to Dr. Willie Sy, the Acting President and Chairperson of the Committee on Membership, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine. In response, Dr. Sy wrote a letter to the Personnel Officer of Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Bacolod City, stating that respondent should be considered as a regular part-time physician, having served the company continuously for four (4) years. He likewise stated that respondent must receive all the benefits and privileges of an employee under Article 157 (b) of the Labor Code. Issue: WON there exists an employer-employee relationship between Coca-Cola and Dr. Climaco? Held: No employer-employee relationship exists between the parties. The Court, in determining the existence of an employer-employee relationship, has invariably adhered to the four-fold test: (1) the selection and engagement of the employee; (2) the payment of wages; (3) the power of dismissal; and (4) the power to control the employee s conduct, or the so-called "control test," considered to be the most important element. The Labor Arbiter and the NLRC correctly found that Coca-Cola lacked the power of control over the performance by respondent of his duties. The Labor Arbiter reasoned that the Comprehensive Medical Plan, which contains the respondent s objectives, duties and obligations, does not tell respondent "how to conduct his physical examination, how to immunize, or how to diagnose and treat his patients, employees of CocaCola, in each case." The Comprehensive Medical Plan, provided guidelines merely to ensure that the end result was achieved, but did not control the means and methods by which respondent performed his assigned tasks. It is precisely because the company lacks the power of control that the contract provides that respondent shall be directly responsible to the employee concerned and their dependents for any injury, harm or damage caused through professional negligence, incompetence or other valid causes of action. Complainant does not dispute the fact that outside of the two (2) hours that he is required to be at respondent company s premises, he is not at all further required to just sit around in the premises and wait for an emergency to occur so as to enable him from using such hours for his own benefit and advantage. In fact, complainant maintains his own private clinic attending to his private practice in the city, where he services his patients, bills them accordingly -- and if it is an employee of respondent company who is attended to by him for special treatment that needs hospitalization or operation, this is subject to a special billing. More often than not, an employee is required to stay in the employer s workplace or proximately close thereto that he cannot utilize his time effectively and gainfully for his own purpose. 26 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Calamba Medical Center vs NLRC (2008) G.R. 176484 Facts: Calamba Medical Center, engaged the services of medical doctors-spouses Dr. Ronaldo and Dr. Merceditha Lanzanas as part of its team of resident physicians. Reporting at the hospital twice-a-week on twenty-four-hour shifts, respondents were paid a monthly "retainer" of P4,800.00 each. Also resident physicians were also given a percentage share out of fees charged for out-patient treatments, operating room assistance and discharge billings, in addition to their fixed monthly retainer. The work schedules of the members of the team of resident physicians were fixed by petitioner's medical director Dr. Desipeda, and they were issued ID, enrolled in the SSS and withheld tax from them. After an incident where Dr. Trinidad overheard a phone conversation between Dr. Ronaldo and a fellow employee Diosdado Miscala, the former was given a preventive suspension and his wife Dr. Merceditha was not given any schedule after sending the Memorandum. On March 1998, Dr. Ronaldo filed a complaint for illegal suspension and Dr. Merceditha for illegal dismissal. Issue: WON there exists an employer-employee relationship between petitioner and the spousesrespondents? Held: Drs. Lanzanas are declared employee by the petitioner hospital. Under the "control test," an employment relationship exists between a physician and a hospital if the hospital controls both the means and the details of the process by which the physician is to accomplish his task. That petitioner exercised control over respondents gains light from the undisputed fact that in the emergency room, the operating room, or any department or ward for that matter, respondents' work is monitored through its nursing supervisors, charge nurses and orderlies. Without the approval or consent of petitioner or its medical director, no operations can be undertaken in those areas. For control test to apply, it is not essential for the employer to actually supervise the performance of duties of the employee, it being enough that it has the right to wield the power. With respect to respondents' sharing in some hospital fees, this scheme does not sever the employment tie between them and petitioner as this merely mirrors additional form or another form of compensation or incentive similar to what commission-based employees receive as contemplated in Article 97 (f) of the Labor Code. Moreover, respondents were made subject to petitioner-hospital's Code of Ethics, the provisions of which cover administrative and disciplinary measures on negligence of duties, personnel conduct and behavior, and offenses against persons, property and the hospital's interest. More importantly, petitioner itself provided incontrovertible proof of the employment status of respondents, namely, the identification cards it issued them, the payslips and BIR W-2 (now 2316) Forms which reflect their status as employees, and the classification as "salary" of their remuneration. Moreover, it enrolled respondents in the SSS and Medicare (Philhealth) program. It bears noting at this juncture that mandatory coverage under the SSS Law is premised on the existence of an employer-employee relationship, except in cases of compulsory coverage of the self-employed. 27 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 28 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 Art. . The only difference between plaintiff's business and that of the firm by which the defendant is employed.) Following the rule in Mitchel vs. Court adopt the modern rule that the validity of restraints upon trade or employment is to be determined by the intrinsinc reasonableness of restriction in each case. it does not seem so with respect to an employee whose duties are such as of necessity to give him an insight into the general scope and details of his employers business. Plaintiff commenced an action to prevent by injunction. 13228 Facts: An agreement was entered into by Ollendorff and Abrahamson whereby theformer agreed to employ Abrahamson and the latter bound himself to work for him for a period of 2yrs with a salary of P50 per week. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Abrahamson returned to Manila and is now a manager of the Philippine Underwear Co. 1255. none vital if considered alone. rather than by any fixed rule." from the date of the agreement. his skill in establishing favorable connections. his methods of buying and selling . The duties performed by the defendant were such to make it necessary for him to be generally knowledgeable of Ollendorff s business. Islands but send material and embroidery designs from New York to its local representative here who employs Filipino needle workers to embroider the designs and make up the garments in their homes. and that such restrictions may be upheld when not contrary to afford a fair and reasonable protection to the party in whose favor it is imposed. he had been engaged in similar work for several years even before his employment of the plaintiff s embroidery business. moreover." (Civil Code. A business enterprise may and often does depend for its success upon the owner's relations with other dealers.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Ollendorff vs Abrahamson (1918) G.a multitude of details. . Included in the agreement is a prohibition of Abrahamson from engaging in a similar or competitive business to anywhere within the Philippine Islands for a period of five years. but which in the aggregate constitute the sum total of the advantages which the result of the experience or individual aptitude and ability of the man or men by whom the business has been built up. (Civil Code. Issue: WON the part of the agreement restraining the defendant from engaging into similar business of the plaintiff is void? Held: The contract was not void as constituting an unreasonable restraint of trade.) The only limitation upon the freedom of contractual agreement is that the pacts established shall not be contrary to "law. Reynolds.the manufacture of the embroidered material into finished garments. It is with this object in view that such restrictions as that now under consideration are written into contracts of employment.R. and it is natural that their possessor should seek to keep them from falling into the hands of his competitors. 29 Ma. Examining the contract here in question from this stand point. in a similar or competitive business to that of (plaintiff) anywhere within the Philippine Islands for a period of five years . Failure or success may depend upon the possession of these intangible but all important assets. This corporation. After some months from his departure for the US. . any further breach of that part of defendant's contract of employment by which he agreed that he would not "enter into or engage himself directly or indirectly . and if they do not go beyond what is reasonably necessary to effectuate this purpose they should be upheld. does not maintain a factory in Phil. unlike Ollendorff s. . is the method of doing the finishing work -. art 1091. The rule in this jurisdiction is that the obligations created by contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties and must be enforce in accordance with their tenor. Their purpose is the protection of the employer. morals or public order. (Ollendorff vs. the said Alfonso del Castillo also agrees not to open. In all cases like the present. nor own nor have any interest directly or indirectly in any other drugstore either in his own name or in the name of another. the rule became well established that if the restraint was limited to "a certain time" and within "a certain place. nor unreasonably necessary to protect the defendant's business. competitive with that of his employer. and Daraga of the municipality of Albay. have held that a contract in restraint of trade is valid providing there is a limitation upon either time or place. nor have any connection with or be employed by any other drugstore situated within a radius of our miles from the district of Legaspi.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Del Castillo vs Richmond (1924) G. is not void as being in restraint of trade if the restraint imposed is not greater than that which is necessary to afford a reasonable protection. and we think the rule is now well established. or have an interest in any other one within the limits of the districts of Legaspi. and are unnecessary in order to constitute a just and reasonable protection to the defendant.) In that case we held that a contract by which an employee agrees to refrain for a given length of time. Albay. nor prejudicial to the public interest. unreasonable 30 Ma. If the contract is reasonably necessary to protect the interest of the parties." Later cases. municipality and Province of Albay. while the said Shannon Richmond or his heirs may own or have open a drugstore. will be held invalid. The law concerning contracts which tend to restrain business or trade has gone through a long series of changes from time to time with the changing conditions of trade and commerce. Paragraph 3 of the said contract read as follows: 3. Later. said changes have been a continuous development of a general rule. Province of Albay. from engaging in a business.. and asked that the same be declared null and void and of no effect. which restrains a man from entering into a business or trade without either a limitation as to time or place. The plaintiff alleges that the provisions and conditions contained in the third paragraph of said contract constitute an illegal and unreasonable restriction upon his liberty to contract. Abrahamson. under the particular circumstances of the case and the nature of the particular contract involved in it. are contrary to public policy. the question is whether.R. With trifling exceptions. 585. L-21127 Facts: Shannon Richmond and Alfonso del Castillo entered into a Contract of Rendering Services . after the expiration of the term of his employment. the contract is. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Issue: WON the provisions and conditions contained in the 3rd paragraph of said contract constitute an illegal and unreasonable restriction upon plaintiffs liberty to contract? Held: The contract the annulment of which is sought by the plaintiff is neither oppressive to him. That in consideration of the fact that the said Alfonso del Castillo has just graduated as a pharmacist and up to the present time has not been employed in the capacity of a pharmacist and in consideration of this employment and the monthly salary mentioned in this contract. 38 Phil. or is not. however. whereby del Castillo agrees to enter the employ of Richmond as a pharmacist with a monthly remuneration of P125 each month. it will be upheld." such contracts were valid and not "against the benefit of the state. A contract. good customs. over and on top of that. 118978 Facts: Seeking relief through the extraordinary writ of certiorari. Hence. public order. discrimination. while it is true that the parties to a contract may establish any agreements. the same should not be contrary to law.R. the existence of a valid and just cause in dispensing with the services of such employee.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Philippine Telegraph & Telephone Co vs NLRC (1997) G. discriminate or otherwise prejudice a woman employee merely by reason of marriage. . which is prohibited by petitioner in its company policies. morals. The government. an employer is required. a woman employee shall be deemed resigned or separated. that you re fully aware that the company is not accepting married women employee (sic). but it likewise assaults good morals and public policy. or to stipulate expressly or tacitly that upon getting married. That employee. Carried to its logical consequences. petitioner Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Company (hereafter. as it was verbally instructed to you. it can easily be seen from the memorandum sent to private respondent by the branch supervisor of the company. a privilege that by all accounts inheres in the individual as an intangible and inalienable right. as follows: ART. In the case at bar. The Labor Code states. as a condition sine qua non prior to severance of the employment ties of an individual under his employ. through substantial evidence. contrarily argues that what really motivated PT&T to terminate her services was her having contracted marriage during her employment. or to actually dismiss.It shall be unlawful for an employer to require as a condition of employment or continuation of employment that a woman shall not get married. She thus claims that she was discriminated against in gross violation of law. discharge. PT&T) invokes the alleged concealment of civil status and defalcation of company funds as grounds to terminate the services of an employee. such a proscription by an employer being outlawed by Article 136 of the Labor Code. in the termination notice sent to her by the same branch supervisor. private respondent was made to understand that her severance from the service was not only by reason of her concealment of her married status but. it may even be said that petitioner s policy against legitimate marital bonds would encourage illicit or common-law relations and subvert the sacrament of marriage. Stipulation against marriage. The Constitution. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . tending as it does to deprive a woman of the freedom to choose her status. abhors any stipulation or policy in the nature of that adopted by petitioner PT&T. terms. to repeat. Issue: WON the policy of not accepting or considering as disqualified from work any woman worker who contracts marriage is valid? Held: Petitioner s policy of not accepting or considering as disqualified from work any woman worker who contracts marriage runs afoul of the test of. Thus. cognizant of the disparity in rights between men and women in almost all phases of social and political life. provides a gamut of protective provisions. or public policy. to convincingly establish. Acknowledged as paramount in the due process scheme is the constitutional guarantee of protection to labor and security of tenure. afforded all women workers by our labor laws and by no less than the Constitution. herein private respondent Grace de Guzman. one s labor being regarded as constitutionally protected property. Again. and the right against. was her violation of the company s policy against marriage ( and even told you that married women employees are not applicable [sic] or accepted in our company. and conditions that they may deem convenient. Petitioner s policy is not only in derogation of the provisions of Article 136 of the Labor Code on the right of a woman to be free from any kind of stipulation against marriage in connection with her employment. with the reminder. 136. in no uncertain terms. 31 Ma. . The Employee Code of Conduct of Glaxo similarly provides that an employee is expected to inform management of any existing or future relationship by consanguinity or affinity with co-employees or employees of competing drug companies. Tecson s superiors reminded him that he and Bettsy should decide which one of them would resign from their jobs. that he agrees to study and abide by existing company rules. Tecson signed a contract of employment which stipulates.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Duncan Asso. Thereafter.R. Subsequently. to resign from the company. while our laws endeavor to give life to the constitutional policy on social justice and the protection of labor. Issue: WON Glaxo s policy prohibiting its employees from marrying an employee of a competitor company is valid? Held: Glaxo s policy prohibiting an employee from having a relationship with an employee of a competitor company is a valid exercise of management prerogative. Tecson entered into a romantic relationship with Bettsy. 32 Ma. (2004) G. No reversible error can be ascribed to the Court of Appeals when it ruled that Glaxo s policy prohibiting an employee from having a relationship with an employee of a competitor company is a valid exercise of management prerogative. Tecson s superiors informed him that his marriage to Bettsy gave rise to a conflict of interest. This situation eventually led to his constructive dismissal. Indeed. Glaxo only aims to protect its interests against the possibility that a competitor company will gain access to its secrets and procedures. it does not mean that every labor dispute will be decided in favor of the workers. In laying down the assailed company policy. In this regard. The prohibition against personal or marital relationships with employees of competitor companies upon Glaxo s employees is reasonable under the circumstances because relationships of that nature might compromise the interests of the company. an employee of Astra. She was Astra s Branch Coordinator in Albay and supervised the district managers and medical representatives of her company and prepared marketing strategies for Astra in that area. That Glaxo possesses the right to protect its economic interests cannot be denied. although they told him that they wanted to retain him as much as possible because he was performing his job well. The law also recognizes that management has rights which are also entitled to respect and enforcement in the interest of fair play. In January 1999. 162994 Facts: Petitioner Pedro Tecson was hired by respondent Glaxo as medical representative. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Tecson was initially assigned to market Glaxo s products in the Camarines Sur-Camarines Norte sales area. marketing strategies and other confidential programs and information from competitors. stipulates that Tescon agrees to abide by the existing company rules of Glaxo. to disclose to management any existing or future relationship by consanguinity or affinity with co-employees or employees of competing drug companies and should management find that such relationship poses a possible conflict of interest. the Employee Handbook of Glaxo expressly informs its employees of its rules regarding conflict of interest. a competitor of Glaxo. Of Detailman-PTGWO vs Glaxo Wellcome Phils. after Tecson had undergone training and orientation. The two married even with the several reminders given by the District Manager to Tecson. manufacturing formulas. especially so that it and Astra are rival companies in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. Glaxo has a right to guard its trade secrets. Tecson s contract of employment with Glaxo being questioned. and to study and become acquainted with such policies. No less than the Constitution recognizes the right of enterprises to adopt and enforce such a policy to protect its right to reasonable returns on investments and to expansion and growth. among others. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Star Paper Corp., vs Simbol (2006) G.R. 164774 Facts: Simbol was employed by the company on Oct 1993. He met Alma Dayrit, also an employee of the company, whom he married. Prior to the marriage, Ongsitco advised the couple that should they decide to get married, one of them should resign pursuant to a company policy to which Simbol complied. 1. New applicants will not be allowed to be hired if in case he/she has [a] relative, up to [the] 3rd degree of relationship, already employed by the company. 2. In case of two of our employees (both singles [sic], one male and another female) developed a friendly relationship during the course of their employment and then decided to get married, one of them should resign to preserve the policy stated above. Issue: WON the policy of the employer banning spouses from working in the same company violates the rights of the employee under the Constitution and the Labor Code or is a valid exercise of management prerogative? Held: Petitioners sole contention that "the company did not just want to have two or more of its employees related between the third degree by affinity and/or consanguinity" is lame. Article 136 of the Labor Code which provides: It shall be unlawful for an employer to require as a condition of employment or continuation of employment that a woman employee shall not get married, or to stipulate expressly or tacitly that upon getting married a woman employee shall be deemed resigned or separated, or to actually dismiss, discharge, discriminate or otherwise prejudice a woman employee merely by reason of her marriage. The requirement that a company policy must be reasonable under the circumstances to qualify as a valid exercise of management prerogative. It is significant to note that in the case at bar, respondents were hired after they were found fit for the job, but were asked to resign when they married a co-employee. Petitioners failed to show how the marriage of Simbol, then a Sheeting Machine Operator, to Alma Dayrit, then an employee of the Repacking Section, could be detrimental to its business operations. e. The policy is premised on the mere fear that employees married to each other will be less efficient. If we uphold the questioned rule without valid justification, the employer can create policies based on an unproven presumption of a perceived danger at the expense of an employee s right to security of tenure. The questioned policy may not facially violate Article 136 of the Labor Code but it creates a disproportionate effect and under the disparate impact theory, the only way it could pass judicial scrutiny is a showing that it is reasonable despite the discriminatory, albeit disproportionate, effect. The failure of petitioners to prove a legitimate business concern in imposing the questioned policy cannot prejudice the employee s right to be free from arbitrary discrimination based upon stereotypes of married persons working together in one company. 33 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Rivera vs Solidbank (2006) G.R. 163269 Facts: Rivera had been working for the Solidbank since 1977. In Dec 1994, deciding to devote his time and attention to his poultry business in Cavite, Rivera applied for retirement. Subsequently, Solidbank required Rivera to sign an undated Release, Waiver and Quitclaim, Rivera acknowledged receipt of the net proceeds of his separation and retirement benefits and promised that "[he] would not, at any time, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly engage in any unlawful activity prejudicial to the interest of Solidbank, its parent, affiliate or subsidiary companies, their stockholders, officers, directors, agents or employees, and their successors-in-interest and will not disclose any information concerning the business of Solidbank, its manner or operation, its plans, processes, or data of any kind." On May 1995, the Equitable employed Rivera as Manager of its Credit Investigation and Appraisal Division of its Consumers Banking Group. Upon discovering this, Solidbank First Vice-President for HRD Celia Villarosa wrote a letter informing Rivera that he had violated the Undertaking. She likewise demanded the return of all the monetary benefits he received in consideration of the SRP within five (5) days from receipt; otherwise, appropriate legal action would be taken against him, when Rivera refused, Solidbank filed complaint. Issue: WON the one year employment ban imposed by Solidbank upon Rivera is null and void for being unreasonable and oppressive and for constituting restraint of trade? Held: The post-retirement competitive employment ban is unreasonable because it has no geographical limits. Article 1306 of the NCC provides that the contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy. On the face of the Undertaking, the post-retirement competitive employment ban is unreasonable because it has no geographical limits; respondent is barred from accepting any kind of employment in any competitive bank within the proscribed period. Although the period of one year may appear reasonable, the matter of whether the restriction is reasonable or unreasonable cannot be ascertained with finality solely from the terms and conditions of the Undertaking, or even in tandem with the Release, Waiver and Quitclaim. Employer is burdened to establish that a restrictive covenant barring an employee from accepting a competitive employment after retirement or resignation is not an unreasonable or oppressive, or in undue or unreasonable restraint of trade, thus, unenforceable for being repugnant to public policy. As the Court stated in Ferrazzini v. Gsell, cases involving contracts in restraint of trade are to be judged according to their circumstances, to wit: x x x There are two principal grounds on which the doctrine is founded that a contract in restraint of trade is void as against public policy. One is, the injury to the public by being deprived of the restricted party s industry; and the other is, the injury to the party himself by being precluded from pursuing his occupation, and thus being prevented from supporting himself and his family. In cases where an employee assails a contract containing a provision prohibiting him or her from accepting competitive employment as against public policy, the employer has to adduce evidence to prove that the restriction is reasonable and not greater than necessary to protect the employer s legitimate business interests. The restraint may not be unduly harsh or oppressive in curtailing the employee s legitimate efforts to earn a livelihood and must be reasonable in light of sound public policy. 34 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Yrasuegui vs Philippine Airlines (2008) G.R. 168081 Facts: Petitioner Yrasuegui, an international flight steward of Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) was dismissed because of his failure to adhere to the weight standards of the airline company. In consequence thereof, petitioner filed a complaint for illegal dismissal against PAL before the Labor Arbiter (LA). Te Labor Arbiter ruled that the petitioner was illegally dismissed. It also issued a writ of execution directing the reinstatement of the petitioner without loss of seniority and other benefits, and also the payment of backwages. Respondent PAL appealed to the NLRC which affirmed the LA s decision. Respondent PAL appealed to the Court of Appeals. CA reversed the NLRC case. Issue: Whether the dismissal of the petitioner valid. Held: The Court upheld the legality of the petitioner s dismissal. Separation pay, however, should be awarded in favor of the employee as an act of social justice or based on equity. This is so because his dismissal is not serious misconduct. Neither is it reflective of his moral character. The obesity of petitioner, when placed in the context of his work as flight attendant, becomes an analogous cause under Article 282 (e) of the Labor ode. His obesity may not be unintended, but is nonetheless voluntary. Voluntariness basically means that the just cause is solely attributable to the employee without any external force influencing or controlling his actions. This element runs through all just causes under Art. 282, whether they be in nature of a wrongful action or omission. Gross and habitual neglect, a recognized just cause, is considered voluntary although it lacks the element of intent found in Art. 282 (a), (c), and (d). Employment in particular jobs may not be limited to persons of a particular sex, religion, or national origin unless the employer can show that sex, religion, or national origin is an actual qualification for performing the job. The qualification is called a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ). In the United States, there are a few federal and many state job discrimination laws that contain an exception allowing an employer to engage in an otherwise unlawful form of prohibited discrimination when the action is based on a BFOQ necessary to the normal operation of a business or enterprise. 35 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 36 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . In cases where there are no collective agreements or recognized labor unions. such dispute shall be decided by the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days from the time said dispute was referred to voluntary arbitration. 6727 prescribes a specific. Any dispute arising there from shall be settled through the National Conciliation and Mediation Board and. offices." Section 3 of Republic Act No. The pendency of a dispute arising from a wage distortion shall not in any way delay the applicability of the increase in the wage rates prescribed under this Section. In that demand. more or less. if it remains unresolved after ten (10) calendar days of conciliation. the employers and workers shall endeavor to correct such distortions. the same shall be finally resolved through compulsory arbitration by the regional branches of the National Labor Relations Commission having jurisdiction over the workplace. Any dispute arising from wage distortions shall be resolved through the grievance procedure under their collective bargaining agreement and. if it remains unresolved. In the instance of "distortions of the wage structure within an establishment" resulting from "the application of any prescribed wage increase by virtue of a law or wage order. through voluntary arbitration.500 employees of San Miguel Corporation. The provision states that the employer and the union shall negotiate to correct the distortions. such dispute shall first be settled voluntarily between the parties and in the event of a deadlock. The pendency of a dispute arising from a wage distortion shall not in any way delay the applicability of any increase in prescribed wage rates pursuant to the provisions of law or Wage Order. The legality of these activities is usually dependent on the legality of the purposes sought to be attained and the means employed therefore. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . shall be referred to the appropriate branch of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). The strike involving the issue of wage distortion is illegal as a means of resolving it. 37 Ma. It goes without saying that these joint or coordinated activities may be forbidden or restricted by law or contract. It shall be mandatory for the NLRC to conduct continuous hearings and decide any dispute arising under this Section within twenty (20) calendar days from the time said dispute is formally submitted to it for arbitration. It shall be mandatory for the NLRC to conduct continuous hearings and decide the dispute within twenty (20) calendar days from the time said dispute is submitted for compulsory arbitration. Issue: WON the strike is legal in the resolution of wage distortion. working at the various plants. and warehouses located at the National Capital Region presented to the company a "demand" for correction of the significant distortion in the workers' wages.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Ilaw at Buklod Manggagawa vs NLRC (1991) 198 SCRA 586 Facts: The union known as Ilaw at Buklod Ng Manggagawa (IBM) said to represent 4. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing. detailed and comprehensive procedure for the correction thereof. thereby implicitly excluding strikes or lockouts or other concerted activities as modes of settlement of the issue. the Union explicitly invoked Section 4 (d) of RA 6727 which reads as follows: Where the application of the increases in the wage rates under this Section results in distortions as defined under existing laws in the wage structure within an establishment and gives rise to a dispute therein. Held: Strike is not legal as a means of resolving wage distortion. and not by strikes. declares that." 38 Ma. or other concerted activities of the employees or management. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . after reiterating the policy that wage distortions be first settled voluntarily by the parties and eventually by compulsory arbitration. Section 16. Chapter I of these implementing rules. is made clear in the rules implementing RA 6727 issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment pursuant to the authority granted by Section 13 of the Act. lockouts.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests The legislative intent that solution of the problem of wage distortions shall be sought by voluntary negotiation or arbitration. "Any issue involving wage distortion shall not be a ground for a strike/lockout. Standards/Criteria for Minimum Wage Fixing The regional minimum wages to be established by the Regional Board shall be as nearly adequate as is economically feasible to maintain the minimum standards of living necessary for the health. RA 6727 gave statutory standards for fixing the minimum wage. The cost of living and changes or increases therein. In the determination of such regional minimum wages. to grant minimum wage adjustments and in the absence of authority. the Regional Board shall. The Solicitor General in its comment posits that the Board upon the issuance of the wage order fixed minimum wages according to the salary method. through RA 6727. 124. efficiency and general well-being of the employees within the framework of the national economic and social development program. Fair return of the capital invested and capacity to pay of employers. ART. The wage order is applied to all workers and employees in the private sector of an increase of P 17. Held: Wage order is valid. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . It noted that there are two ways in the determination of wage. Issue: WON the wage order issues by RTWPB dated October 23. The Court agrees with the Solicitor General.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Employers Confederation of the Phils vs NWPC (1991) 201 SCRA 759 Facts: ECOP questioned the validity of the wage order issued by the RTWPB dated October 23. Wage adjustment vis-a-vis the consumer price index.00 daily in the National Capital Region. among other relevant factors. consider the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) 39 The demand for living wages. these are floor wage method and salary ceiling method. Improvements in standards of living. Petitioners insist that the power of RTWPB was delegated. The prevailing wage levels. The wage order increased the minimum wage by P17. and Ma. The need to induce industries to invest in the countryside.00 including those who are paid above the statutory wage rate. The needs of workers and their families. ECOP appealed with the NWPC but dismissed the petition. 1990 is valid. The floor wage method involves the fixing of determinate amount that would be added to the prevailing statutory minimum wage while the salary ceiling method involves where the wage adjustment is applied to employees receiving a certain denominated salary ceiling. 1990 pursuant to the authority granted by RA 6727. Effects of employment generation and family income. it can only adjust floor wages. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 40 Ma.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests (j) The equitable distribution of income and wealth along the imperatives of economic and social development. The law gave reasonable limitations to the delegated power of the board." The wage order was not acted in excess of board s authority. instead. respondent strongly chided her for refusing to proceed to the City Prosecutor's Office to attest to the affidavit. three days after her attempt to return to work. She thereafter reluctantly filed a leave of absence from her job which was denied by management. continue with her unofficial leave of absence.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Mabeza vs NLRC () 271 SCRA 670 Facts: Petitioner Norma Mabeza contends that on the first week of May 1991. together with the act of terminating or coercing those who refuse to cooperate with the employer's scheme constitutes unfair labor practice. The first act clearly preempts the right of the hotel's workers to seek better terms and conditions of employment through concerted action. service incentive leave pay. private respondent Peter Ng alleged before Labor Arbiter that petitioner surreptitiously left her job without notice to the management and that she actually abandoned her work. night differential and other benefits. Petitioner signed the affidavit but refused to go to the City Prosecutor's Office to swear to the veracity and contents of the affidavit as instructed by management. Responding to the allegations for illegal dismissal. 13th month pay. against his employee's right to institute concerted action for better terms and conditions of employment constitutes unfair labor practice. The affidavit was nevertheless submitted on the same day to the Regional Office of the Department of Labor and Employment in Baguio City. respondent NLRC promulgated its assailed Resolution affirming the Labor Arbiter's decision. interference or coercion. she and her co-employees at the Hotel Supreme in Baguio City were asked by the hotel's management to sign an instrument attesting to the latter's compliance with minimum wage and other labor standard provisions of law. petitioner was obviously held up as an example to all of the hotel's employees. Labor Arbiter dismissed the complaint. the hotel's cashier informed her that she should not report to work and. On April 1994. Held: The Court ruled that there was unfair labor practice. In addition to her complaint for illegal dismissal. but also possibly. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . that they could only cause trouble to management at great personal inconvenience. Consequently. According to her. she alleged underpayment of wages. their personal liberty. 41 Ma. non-payment of holiday pay. Issue: WON the employer s exerted pressure. petitioner filed a complaint for illegal dismissal before the Arbitration Branch of the National Labor Relations Commission CAR Baguio City. After she refused to proceed to the City Prosecutor's Office. petitioner states that she was ordered by the hotel management to turn over the keys to her living quarters and to remove her belongings from the hotel premises. in the form of restraint. When she attempted to return to work on May 1991. He maintained that there was no basis for the money claims for underpayment and other benefits as these were paid in the form of facilities to petitioner and the hotel's other employees. For refusing to cooperate with the private respondent's scheme. The affidavit was drawn by management for the sole purpose of refuting findings of the Labor Inspector of DOLE apparently adverse to the private respondent. Without doubt. the act of compelling employees to sign an instrument indicating that the employer observed labor standards provisions of law when he might have not. Implicit in the act of petitioner's termination and the subsequent filing of charges against her was the warning that they would not only be deprived of their means of livelihood. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Granting that meals and lodging were provided and indeed constituted facilities. 42 Ma. Second. such as the private respondent's hotel. First. facilities must be charged at fair and reasonable value. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . such facilities could not be deducted without the employer complying first with certain legal requirements. A benefit or privilege granted to an employee for the convenience of the employer is not a facility. the food and lodging. These requirements were not met in the instant case. Finally. More significantly. Considering that hotel workers are required to work different shifts and are expected to be available at various odd hours. lodging) but the purpose. proof must be shown that such facilities are customarily furnished by the trade. their ready availability is a necessary matter in the operations of a small hotel. Without satisfying these requirements. or the electricity and water consumed by the petitioner were not facilities but supplements. the employer simply cannot deduct the value from the employee's wages. the provision of deductible facilities must be voluntarily accepted in writing by the employee. The criterion in making a distinction between the two not so much lies in the kind (food. providing for the Revised Guidelines on Exemption indicate the criteria to qualify for exemption as follows: For Distressed Establishments: In the case of a stock corporation.. The RTWPB denied petitioner's application for exemption after holding that the corporation accumulated profits amounting to P38. 1993. as the case may be. if any. On February 1994. Prubankers Association vs Prudential Bank (1999) 302 SCRA 74 43 Ma. Petitioner's motion for reconsideration was likewise denied by the Wages and Productivity Board on January 5. 1995. of the Rules Implementing Wage Order No. in the case of corporations: Total invested capital at the beginning of the last full accounting period preceding the effectivity of the Order in the case of partnerships and single proprietorships. On appeal to the National Wages and Productivity Commission." Section 8. 1993 and not merely up to September 30. 1993 will reflect losses in petitioner corporation's books. immediately preceding the effectivity of the Order have impaired by at least 25 percent the: Paid-up capital at the end of the last full accounting period preceding the effectivity of the Order. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . providing for a twenty-seven peso wage increase for all private sector workers and employees in the National Capital Region receiving one hundred fifty-four pesos (P154. but not if the covered interim period is only up to September 30. distressed firms may be exempted from the provisions of the Order upon application with and due determination of the Board. Series of 1992. Under Section 5 of Wage Order No.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Joy Brothers Inc. was approved November 29. petitioner applied for exemption from said wage order on the ground that it was a distressed establishment. 1993.00) and below daily. NWPC Guidelines No.188. petitioner contends that the interim period to be reckoned with is from January 1. the period up to December 31. 1993 to December 15. 1993 as held by respondent Commission. 01. More specifically.381. for which years petitioner incurred net profits of P53. petitioner was again denied relief. Significantly. non-profit organization or cooperative engaged in a business activity or charging fees for its services When accumulated losses for the last 2 full accounting periods and interim period.80 for the period under review. vs NWPC (1997) 273 SCRA 622 Facts: Wage Order No. nonstock. paragraph a. NCR-03. 1993.00. NCR-03. respectively. Issue: WON petitioner Corporation falls within the exemption for distressed establishments. Held: The petitioner company is not entitled to exemption of the wage order since it is not a distressed establishment. single proprietorship. NCR-03 provides that exemption from compliance with the wage increase may be granted to distressed establishments whose paid-up capital has been impaired by at least twenty-five percent (25%) or which registers capital deficiency or negative net worth. The Guidelines expressly require interim quarterly financial statements for the period immediately preceding December 16. The last two full accounting periods here are 1991 and 1992. partnership. Establishments operating for less than two (2) years may be granted exemption when accumulated losses for said period have impaired by at least 25% the paid-up capital or total invested capital.607.00 and P60. the only branch covered by Wage Order No. 6727. Consolacion. del Rosario branches. and P10. Prubankers Association wrote the petitioner requesting that the Labor Management Committee be immediately convened to discuss and resolve the alleged wage distortion created in the salary structure upon the implementation of the said wage orders. Mandaue and Lapulapu. As the grievance could not be settled in the said meetings. it is the hierarchy of positions and the disparity of their 44 Ma. It demanded in the Labor Management Committee meetings that the petitioner extend the application of the wage orders to its employees outside Regions V and VII. Naga and the cities of Davao."As used herein.00 per month COLA into the basic pay of its rank-and-file employees at its Cebu. Talisay. which reads: Standards/Criteria for Minimum Wage Fixing . The levels of different pay classes was not eliminated. Five Pesos (P5. A disparity in wages between employees holding similar positions but in different regions does not constitute wage distortion as contemplated by law. 1994. and for the same period thereafter. P15. which directed the integration of the COLA mandated pursuant to Wage Order No. The hierarchy of positions was still preserved. Mabolo and P. and integrated the P150. Cordova. the parties agreed to submit the matter to voluntary arbitration. Bais.50 in the municipalities of Tabaco. . RO VII-02-A into the basic pay of all workers. Liloan. in the following categories: P17. and Tagbilaran. Toledo. Dumaguete. the branches covered by Wage Order No. Issue: WON a wage distortion resulted from respondent's implementation of the Wage Orders. Canlaon. Minglanilla." Wage distortion involves four elements: (1) An existing hierarchy of positions with corresponding salary rates. or other logical bases of differentiation. claiming that the regional implementation of the said orders created a wage distortion in the wage rates of petitioner's employees nationwide. Daraga. as amended by Republic Act No.00) in the cities of Cebu. RB VII-03. On June 7. (3)The elimination of the distinction between the two levels and (4) The existence of the distortion in the same region of the country. . (2) A significant change in the salary rate of a lower pay class without a concomitant increase in the salary rate of a higher one. a wage distortion shall mean a situation where an increase in prescribed wage results in the elimination or severe contraction of intentional quantitative differences in wage or salary rates between and among employee groups in an establishment as to effectively obliterate the distinctions embodied in such wage structure based on skills. As stated. Held: The court ruled that there is no wage distortion since the wage order implementation covers all the branches of the bank.50 to its employees at its Naga Branch.00 for all other areas in the Bicol Region.00) in the municipalities of Compostela. The statutory definition of wage distortion is found in Article 124 of the Labor Code. RB 5-03.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Facts: The RTWPB Region V issued Wage Order No. Pili and the city of Iriga. The bank granted a COLA of P17. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . RB 05-03 which provided for a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to workers in the private sector who had rendered service for at least three (3) months before its effectivity. RB VII-03. RTWPB Region VII issued Wage Order No. length of service. On November 1993.50 in the cities of Naga and Legaspi. It also established an increase in the minimum wage rates for all workers and employees in the private sector as follows: by Ten Pesos (P10. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests corresponding wages and other emoluments that are sought to be preserved by the concept of wage distortion. 45 Ma. Although it is quite easy to comprehend "board" and "lodging. par. or other method of calculating the same.2 transportation. Held: The allowances are not part of the wages of the employees. 1-87 pertinently provides 3. Revenue Audit Memo Order No. representation or entertainment expenses shall not constitute taxable compensation if: (a) It is for necessary travelling and representation or entertainment expenses paid or incurred by the employee in the pursuit of the trade or business of the employer. whether fixed or ascertained on a time. To avert further losses. Unit Manager. task. piece. being necessary and indispensable for their existence and subsistence. of the Rules Implementing the Labor Code gives meaning to the term as including articles or services for the benefit of the employee or his family but excluding tools of the trade or articles or service primarily for the benefit of the employer or necessary to the conduct of the employer's business. which is payable by an employer to an employee under a written or unwritten contract of employment for work done or to be done. Section Manager. is included in "wage. Believing however that the allowances they allegedly regularly received on a monthly basis during their employment should have been included in the computation thereof they lodged a complaint for separation pay differentials.Board and lodging allowances furnished to an employee not in excess of the latter's needs and given free of charge. Rule VII. The receipt of an allowance on a monthly basis does not ipso facto characterize it as regular and forming part of salary because the nature of the grant is a factor worth considering. Division Manager and Vice President in the mill site of respondent Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP) in Bislig. not regularly. lodging. of the Labor Code. When an employer customarily furnishes his employee board. constitute income to the latter except if such allowances or benefits are furnished to the employee for the convenience 46 Ma. the fair and reasonable value thereof. vs NLRC () 305 SCRA 501 Facts: Petitioners numbering one hundred sixteen occupied the positions of Technical Staff. Accordingly. (f)." Thus Sec. Wage is defined in letter (f) as the remuneration or earnings." Customary is founded on long-established and constant practice connoting regularity." it is not so with "facilities. 97.. received by petitioners. of board. as determined by the Secretary of Labor. or for services rendered or to be rendered and includes the fair and reasonable value. 5. petitioners received separation pay computed at the rate of one (1) month basic pay for every year of service. Surigao del Sur. or commission basis. make an accounting/liquidation for such expense in accordance with the specific requirements of substantiation for such category or expense. or other facilities customarily furnished by the employer to the employee. Book III.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Millares et al. In determining whether a privilege is a facility. Department Manager. The court agrees with the observation of the Office of the Solicitor General that the subject allowances were temporarily. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . and does. Issue: Whether the allowances are included in the definition of "facilities" in Art. it undertook a retrenchment program and terminated the services of petitioners. and (b) The employee is required to. capable of being expressed in terms of money. In 1992 PICOP suffered a major financial setback allegedly brought about by the joint impact of restrictive government regulations on logging and the economic crisis. lodging or other facilities. as determined by the Secretary of Labor and Employment. the criterion is not so much its kind but its purpose. however designated. " Petitioners' allowances do not represent such fair and reasonable value as determined by the proper authority simply because the Staff/Manager's allowance and transportation allowance were amounts given by respondent company in lieu of actual provisions for housing and transportation needs whereas the Bislig allowance was given in consideration of being assigned to the hostile environment then prevailing in Bislig. Book III. Rule VII. The Secretary of Labor and Employment under Sec. 47 Ma. lodging and other facilities customarily furnished by an employer to his employees. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests of the employer and as necessary incident to proper performance of his duties in which case such benefits or allowances do not constitute taxable income. of the Rules Implementing the Labor Code may from time to time fix in appropriate issuances the "fair and reasonable value of board. The inevitable conclusion is that subject allowances did not form part of petitioners' wages. 6. The Court finds this argument a little inconsiderate. from Philippine or other nationalities. with: (i) Fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind. in Article 7 thereof. except laws that have been or will be enacted for the protection of employees. the International Covenant on Economic. he or she is deemed a foreign-hire. Inc. the presumption is that these employees perform equal work. shipping costs. If the employer pays one employee less than the rest. The School hires both foreign and local teachers as members of its faculty. The foregoing provisions impregnably institutionalize in this jurisdiction the long honored legal truism of "equal pay for equal work. To enable the School to continue carrying out its educational program and improve its standard of instruction. is a domestic educational institution established primarily for dependents of foreign diplomatic personnel and other temporary residents. otherwise. in particular: ( a) Remuneration which provides all workers. under similar conditions. Social. pursuant to PD 732. provides: The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favorable conditions of work. Section 2(c) of the same decree authorizes the School to employ its own teaching and management personnel selected by it either locally or abroad. and home leave travel allowance. effort and responsibility. Issue: WON local hire teachers shall enjoy same salary as foreign hire teachers where they perform the same work. This rule applies to the School.. as a minimum. supra. Foreign-hires are also paid a salary rate twenty-five percent (25%) more than local-hires. The School employs four tests to determine whether a faculty member should be classified as a foreign-hire or a local hire: (a) What is one's domicile? (b) Where is one's home economy? (c) To which country does one owe economic allegiance? (d) Was the individual hired abroad specifically to work in the School and was the School responsible for bringing that individual to the Philippines? Should the answer to any of these queries point to the Philippines. The School grants foreign-hires certain benefits not accorded local. with equal pay for equal work. These include housing. Notably. skill. in particular women being guaranteed conditions of work not inferior to those enjoyed by men. taxes." Persons who work with substantially equal qualifications. it is not for that employee to explain why he receives less or why the others 48 Ma. and Cultural Rights. The School contends that petitioner has not adduced evidence that local-hires perform work equal to that of foreign-hires. namely: (a) the "dislocation factor" and (b) limited tenure. transportation. which ensure. Held: Employees are entitled to same salary for performance of equal work. If an employer accords employees the same position and rank. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . should be paid similar salaries. The School justifies the difference on two "significant economic disadvantages" foreign-hires have to endure. The compensation scheme is simply the School's adaptive measure to remain competitive on an international level in terms of attracting competent professionals in the field of international education.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests International School Alliance of Educators vs Quisumbing (2000) 333 SCRA 13 Facts: International School.hires. the faculty member is classified as a local hire. classifying the same into two: (1) foreign-hires and (2) local-hires. such personnel being exempt from otherwise applicable laws and regulations attending their employment. the employer has failed to discharge this burden. it is for the employer to explain why the employee is treated unfairly. In this case. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . which they perform under similar working conditions.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests receive more. Both groups have similar functions and responsibilities. 49 Ma. The employer has discriminated against that employee. There is no evidence here that foreign-hires perform 25% more efficiently or effectively than the local-hires. and Levels II. NLRC finding no wage distortion dismissed the case for lack of merit. 1993. to wit: Levels I and V by one thousand pesos (P1.A. Level III. In the case of Prubankers Association v. Petioner filed a notice of strike.00). 50 Ma. III and IV by nine hundred pesos (P900. In a problem dealing with "wage distortion. Held: There exists a wage distortion but the Court will not interfere in the management prerogative of the petitioner. Inc. the duly certified exclusive bargaining agent of the regular rank and file employees of Bankard. among others. and (4) The existence of the distortion in the same region of the country. 1993. This made Bankard Employees Union-WATU (petitioner). for the purpose of making its hiring rate competitive in the industry s labor market. Involved in the classification of employees are various factors such as the degrees of responsibility. Prudential Bank and Trust Company. No. 6727 (WAGE RATIONALIZATION ACT. Normally. Accordingly.. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Petitioner s motion for reconsideration of the dismissal of the case was denied.. (2) A significant change in the salary rate of a lower pay class without a concomitant increase in the salary rate of a higher one. amending. the term "wage distortion" was explicitly defined as. Put differently.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Bankard Employees Union vs NLRC (2004) G. its Board of Directors approved a New Salary Scale. The New Salary Scale increased the hiring rates of new employees. a company has a wage structure or method of determining the wages of its employees. to wit: (1. to request for the increase in the salary of its old. Level II.000. a situation where an increase in prescribed wage rates results in the elimination or severe contraction of intentional quantitative differences in wage or salary rates between and among employee groups in an establishment as to effectively obliterate the distinctions embodied in such wage structure based on skills.) An existing hierarchy of positions with corresponding salary rates. the salaries of employees who fell below the new minimum rates were also adjusted to reach such rates under their levels.R. On May 1993. length of service. Bankard insisted that there was no obligation on the part of the management to grant to all its employees the same increase in an across-the-board manner. or other logical basis of differentiation. 140689 Facts: Bankard. Upon the enactment of R. the skills and knowledge required.00). Issue: Whether the unilateral adoption by an employer of an upgraded salary resulted in wage distortion within the contemplation of Article 124 of the Labor Code. it cannot be made the sole basis in cases where the nature of their work differs. classifies its employees by levels: Level I. it laid down the four elements of wage distortion. While seniority may be a factor in determining the wages of employees. The strike was averted when the dispute was certified by the Secretary of Labor and Employment for compulsory arbitration. or other logical bases of differentiation. the entry of new employees to the company ipso facto places them under any of the levels mentioned in the new salary scale which private respondent adopted retroactive to April 1. Article 124 of the Labor Code). made retroactive to April 1. and Level V. the complexity of the job. The differing wage rate for each of the existing classes of employees reflects this classification." the basic assumption is that there exists a grouping or classification of employees that establishes distinctions among them on some relevant or legitimate bases. (3) The elimination of the distinction between the two levels. Level IV. regular employees. If it was the intention of the legislators to cover all kinds of wage adjustments.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Moreover. not restrictive as it is currently phrased: Article 124. employees cannot create their own independent classification and use it as a basis to demand an across-the-board increase in salary. the intention of the law being that in the event of an increase in minimum wage." It is found in CHAPTER V on "WAGE STUDIES. Any dispute arising from the wage distortions shall be resolved through the grievance procedure under their collective bargaining agreement and. The mere factual existence of wage distortion does not. especially if the financial conditions of the business cannot address an across-the-board increase. ipso facto result to an obligation to rectify it. or other logical bases of differentiation will be preserved. Article 124 is entitled "Standards/Criteria for Minimum Wage Fixing. the employer and the union shall negotiate to correct the distortions. Article 124 should thus be construed and correlated in relation to minimum wage fixing. WAGE AGREEMENTS AND WAGE DETERMINATION" which principally deals with the fixing of minimum wage. if it remains unresolved. through voluntary arbitration. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . however. Where the application of any prescribed wage increase by virtue of a law or Wage Order issued by any Regional Board results in distortions of the wage structure within an establishment. or as in the present case. Wage distortion is a factual and economic condition that may be brought about by different causes. for purposes of determining the existence of wage distortion. the need to increase the competitiveness of Bankard s hiring rate. Standards/Criteria for Minimum Wage Fixing. absent a law or other source of obligation which requires its rectification. then the language of the law should have been broad. An employer would be discouraged from adjusting the salary rates of a particular group of employees for fear that it would result to a demand by all employees for a similar increase. the distinctions embodied in the wage structure based on skills. 51 Ma. length of service. The wordings of Article 124 are clear. then the hands of the employer would be completely tied even in cases where an increase in wages of a particular group is justified due to a re-evaluation of the high productivity of a particular group. If the compulsory mandate under Article 124 to correct "wage distortion" is applied to voluntary and unilateral increases by the employer in fixing hiring rates which is inherently a business judgment prerogative. The NLRC denied petitioners motion for reconsideration. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . it also gives rise to an invidious classification. ANTECO appealed the Decision to the NLRC where it reversed the Labor Arbiter s Decision. they in effect amended them by enlarging the scope of their exclusion. Even assuming that Section 2. Rule IV.507.427. The basic rule in this jurisdiction is "no work. the Regional Branch of the Department of Labor and Employment found ANTECO liable for underpayment of the monthly salaries of its employees.73 and attorney s fees of 10%. 9 issued by the Secretary of Labor which was declared null and void since in the guise of clarifying the Labor Code s provisions on holiday pay. a violation of the equal protection clause." The right to be paid for un-worked days is generally limited to the ten legal holidays in a year. Rule IV of Book III is valid. On November 1996. the DOLE directed ANTECO to pay its employees wage differentials amounting to P1. ANTECO failed to pay. thirty-three (33) monthly-paid employees filed complaints with the NLRC praying for payment of wage differentials. the Labor Arbiter rendered a Decision in favor of petitioners granting them wage differentials amounting to P1. Petitioners line of reasoning is not only a violation of the "no work. Rule 46 of the Rules of Court. On various dates in 1995. The Court of Appeals explained that petitioners failed to allege the specific instances where the NLRC abused its discretion. Held: Petitioners are not entitled to money claims or wage differentials. The petitioners claim is based on Section 2. Issue: Whether or not the petitioners are entitled to money claims. On September 1989. Rule IV of Book III gave rise to a right to be paid for un-worked days beyond the ten legal holidays. their claim will still fail. 52 Ma.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Odango vs NLRC (2005) G. damages and attorney s fees.017. After a routine inspection. 147420 Facts: Petitioners are monthly-paid employees of ANTECO whose workdays are from Monday to Friday and half of Saturday.75. Book III of the Implementing Rules and Policy Instructions No. The appellate court denied petitioners motion for reconsideration.R. Petitioners claim is based on a mistaken notion that Section 2.412. Petitioners then elevated the case to CA where it dismissed the petition for failure to comply with Section 3. no pay. no pay" principle. it was incumbent upon them to prove such allegation which private respondents failed to do. Section 4 of the Act provides for exemption from the coverage. 6727 known as the Wage Rationalization Act provides for the statutory minimum wage rate of all workers and employees in the private sector. 53 Ma. 144619 Facts: In September 1993. It said that the company having claimed of exemption of the coverage of the minimum wage shall have the burden of proof to the claim. service incentive leave pay. thus the Labor Arbiter is correct in ruling that private respondents claim for underpayment has no factual and legal basis. Planas Commercial is a retail establishment principally engaged in the sale of plastic products and fruits to the customers for personal use. Petitioners contend that private respondents were paid over and above the minimum wage required for a retail establishment. They were required to work for more than 8 hours a day and never enjoyed the minimum benefits. Respondents filed an appeal with the NLRC where it granted the money claims. Petitioners insist that C. action on any complaint for alleged non-compliance with this Act shall be deferred pending resolution of the application for exemption by the appropriate Regional Board. It alleged that Cohu is engaged in the business of wholesale of plastic products and fruits of different kinds with more than 24 employees. Morente.R. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . thus exempted from the application of the minimum wage law. In the event that applications for exemptions are not granted. Allauigan and Ofialda and others filed a complaint for underpayment of wages.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests C. Issue: WON petitioner is exempted from the application of minimum wage law. The Labor Arbiter rendered a decision dismissing the money claims. retail/service establishments regularly employing not more than ten (10) workers may be exempted from the applicability of this Act upon application with and as determined by the appropriate Regional Board in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations issued by the Commission. Planas Commercial vs NLRC (2005) G. R.A. No. May 1990 and July 19991 as laborers and were paid below the minimum wage for the past 3 years. that it merely leases and occupies a stall in the Divisoria Market and the level of its business activity requires and sustains only less than ten employees at a time. employees shall receive the appropriate compensation due them as provided for by this Act plus interest of one percent (1%) per month retroactive to the effectivity of this Act. holiday pay. Whenever an application for exemption has been duly filed with the appropriate Regional Board. Petitioners filed their comment stating that the respondents were their helpers. Petitioners appealed with the CA but it was denied. Also. non payment of overtime pay. (c) Exempted from the provisions of this Act are household or domestic helpers and persons employed in the personal service of another. Respondents were hired on January 1990. Petitioners claim that since private respondents alleged that petitioners employed 24 workers. including family drivers. Held: Petitioners have not successfully shown that they had applied for the exemption. 4. thus: Sec. and premium pay for rest day and holiday and night shift differential against petitioners in the Arbitration Branch of NLRC. Acting on the complaint. except in cases where the employer contests the findings of the labor employment and enforcement officer and raises issues supported by documentary proofs which were not considered in the course of inspection. and that private respondents claims are within the exclusive and original jurisdiction of the Labor Arbiters. Visitorial and Enforcement Power. 128. No. underpayment of wages. despite due notice. or the so-called "enforcement power" under Article 128(b) of P. It is admitted that for the Regional Director to exercise the power to order compliance. NCR of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). As no restitution was made. we agree with the Undersecretary of Labor and the appellate court that the Regional Director has jurisdiction to hear and decide the instant case in conformity with Article 128(b) of the Labor Code which states: Art. with the corresponding directive that necessary restitution be effected within five days from said receipt. regular holiday pay.. Petitioner failed to question the findings of the Labor Inspector received by and explained to the corporation s manager. the private respondents were no longer its employees.D. Regional Director issued an inspection authority to Senior Labor Enforcement Officer. to wit: non-presentation of employment records (payrolls and daily time records). Petitioner then filed a Motion for Reconsideration of said Order arguing that the Regional Director has no jurisdiction over the case as private respondents were allegedly no longer connected with petitioner corporation at the time of the filing of the complaint and when the inspection was conducted. petitioner contends that at the time the complaint was filed. non-payment of 13th month pay and service incentive leave pay against petitioner before the Regional Office. and overtime pay. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 129 and 217 of this Code to the contrary. petitioner failed to appear for two consecutive scheduled hearings. On the same day. the Notice of Inspection Result was received by and explained to the manager of petitioner corporation Mr. Issue: WON the Regional Director has jurisdiction over the claims of the private respondents. Jae Kwan Lee. Considering thus that there still exists an employeremployee relationship between petitioner and private respondents and that the case involves violations of labor standard provisions of the Labor Code. and in cases where the relationship of employer-employee still exists. Held: Regional Director has jurisdiction to hear and decide the instant case. private respondents filed a complaint for underpayment of wages. 442 as amended. In support of its contention that it is the Labor Arbiter and not the Regional Director who has jurisdiction over the claims of herein private respondents. the Regional Office thereafter conducted summary investigations. However. and non-payment of 13th month pay and service incentive leave pay. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 54 . the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representatives shall have the power to issue compliance orders to give effect to the labor standards provisions of this Code and other labor legislation based on the findings of labor employment and enforcement officers or industrial safety engineers made in the course of inspection. vs CA (2006) Facts: In 1997. The Court favors the respondents in the money claims against the petitioner company.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests EJR Crafts Corp. On August 1997. it is necessary that the employer-employee relationship still exists. The Secretary or his duly authorized representatives shall issue writs of execution to the appropriate authority for the enforcement of their orders. overtime pay. Ma. regular holiday pay. an inspection was conducted on the premises of petitioner s offices wherein the following violations of labor standards law were discovered. e.50 per day increase to all of its rank-and-file employees. i. Wage Order No.00/day and none was receiving below P223.50 per day. Petitioner paid the P25. Hence. the petitioner and union entered into an collective bargaining agreement where it provided wage adjustments namely P15. It is submitted that employers unless exempt are mandated to implement the said wage order but limited to those entitled thereto.50 shall receive an increase of Twenty-Six Pesos and Fifty Centavos (P26. Wage Order No. This could only mean that the union can no longer demand for any wage distortion adjustment.. the same would not automatically ripen into a company practice. petitioner is not obliged to grant the wage increase to them. 166647 Facts: Petitioner is engaged in the manufacture of steel bars and wire rods while Pag-Asa Steel Workers Union is the duly authorized bargaining agent of the rank-and-file employees.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Pag Asa Steel Works vs CA (2006) G. Petitioner forwarded a letter to the union with the list of adjustments involving rank and file employees. and not all employees across-the-board as respondent Union would want petitioner to do. to ripen into a company practice that is demandable as a matter of right. even if the company continuously grants a wage increase as mandated by a wage order or pursuant to a CBA.50) per day.00 minimum wage. The provision in the CBA that "Any Wage Order to be implemented by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board shall be in addition to the wage increase adverted above" cannot be interpreted in support of an across-the-board increase.00 increase of the salaries receiving minimum wages. the increase provided were followed until RTWPB issued another wage order where it provided for a P25.R. RTWPB of NCR issued a wage order which provided for a P 13. Moreover. Issue: WON the company was obliged to grant the wage increase under the Wage Order as a matter of practice.00/day the company is not obliged to adjust the wages of the workers. P25. but by reason of an act of liberality on the part of the employer.50 per day increase in the salary of employees receiving the minimum wage and increased the minimum wage to P223. A perusal of the record shows that the lowest paid employee before the implementation of Wage Order #8 is P250. "private sector workers and employees in the National Capital Region receiving the prescribed daily minimum wage rate of P223. Considering therefore that none of the members of respondent Union are receiving salaries below the P250. 55 Ma. The Petitioner and the union negotiated on the increase. P30 for three succeeding year. NCR-08 was issued where it provided the increase of P26. The matter was elevated to CA where it favored the respondents." and since the lowest paid is P250. The union president asked that the wage order be implemented where petitioner rejected the request claiming that there was no wage distortion and it was not obliged to grant the wage increase. The provision of wage order #8 and its implementing rules are very clear as to who are entitled to the P26. In September 1999. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . On the first year. On November 2000.50/day increase. the giving of the increase should not be by reason of a strict legal or contractual obligation.50 per day. The union submitted the matter for voluntary arbitration where it favored the position of the company and dismissed the complaint. Held: Company is not obliged to grant the wage increase. NCR-08 clearly states that only those employees receiving salaries below the prescribed minimum wage are entitled to the wage increase provided therein.50 minimum. Indeed.839. except for debts incurred for food. The Bank opposed to Sadac s computation. reversed the decision. petitioner Bank terminated the services of respondent Sadac. NLRC. NLRC affirmed the decision upon appeal by the Bank. 841. upon appeal by the bank. "Salary. He cites Gaa v. accused respondent Sadac of abusive conduct and ultimately. In reaction thereto. 481. and subsequently General Counsel thereof on December 1981. Court of Appeals where the Court distinguished between wage and salary. under the rules of client and lawyer relationship. Likewise. respondent Sadac filed a complaint for illegal dismissal with damages against petitioner Bank and individual members of the Board of Directors thereof. x x x (Italics supplied. the word "salary" means a recompense or consideration made to a person for his pains or industry in another man s business. Both words generally refer to one and the same meaning. It is respondent Sadac s stance that he was not paid at the wage rate nor was he engaged in some form of manual or physical labor as he was hired as Vice President of petitioner Bank.00 plus privileges. 44 citing Hopkins vs." or more fancifully from "sal. the etymology of which is the Middle English word "wagen". Sadac was removed from his office Labor Arbiter rendered decision that Sadac s termination was illegal and entitled to reinstatement and payment of full back wages. 38 Permanent Edition. On the ground of lack of confidence in Sadac. After learning of the filing of the complaint. on August 1989.R. clothing and medical attendance. however." In labor law. Jur.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Equitable PCI Bank vs Sadac (2006) G. nine lawyers of petitioner Bank s Legal Department. there is eminent authority for holding that the words "wages" and "salary" are in essence synonymous (Words and Phrases. That wage and salary are synonymous has been settled in Songco v.Y. Paramount and Evangelista may have involved wage earners.000. On November 1989. "pay" is the synonym of "wages" and "salary" (Black s Law Dictionary. a reward or recompense for services performed. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Sadac filed for execution of judgment where it gave its computation which amounted to P 6. 85 N. The reliance is misplaced. 5th Ed). "[t]he laborer s wage shall not be subject to execution or attachment. On June 1989. Cromwell. 496). petitioned for a change in leadership of the department. Sadac requested for a full hearing and formal investigation but the same remained unheeded.03 M representing his back wages and the increases he should have received during the time he was illegally dismissed. Div. Issue: WON the computation of back wages shall include the general increases. Held: Respondent Sadac cannot take exception by arguing that jurisprudence speaks only of wage and not salary. shelter. 38 Am. petitioner Bank instructed respondent Sadac to deliver all materials in his custody in all cases in which the latter was appearing as its counsel of record. 164772 Facts: Ricardo Sadac was appointed VP of the Legal Department of petitioner Bank effective August 1981." the pay of the Roman soldier. the distinction appears to be merely semantics. Finally. the rule is inapplicable to him. that is. Whether it be derived from "salarium. CA reversed the decision of NLRC. We said: Broadly. and therefore. p.S. but the petitioner in Espejo was a General Manager with a monthly salary of P9." is often used interchangeably with "wage". in a letter-petition to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Vol. it carries with it the fundamental idea of compensation for services rendered." the etymology of which is the Latin word "salarium.) 56 Ma. National Labor Relations Commission. 89 App. The distinction between salary and wage in Gaa was for the purpose of Article 1708 of the Civil Code which mandates that. The Labor Arbiter favor Sadac s computation. (f) To review plans and programs of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to determine whether these are consistent with national development plans. 6727). vested with the power to prescribe rules and guidelines for the determination of appropriate minimum wage and productivity measures at the regional. Pursuant to its wage fixing authority. 1996. Its Implementing Rules were approved on February 14. provincial or industry levels. No.R. provinces. otherwise known as the Wage Rationalization Act. subject to the guidelines issued by the NWPC. R02-03 is void insofar as it grants a wage increase to employees earning more than the minimum wage rate. and pursuant to the separability clause of the Wage Order. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Wage Order No. R02-03 (Wage Order).The Commission shall have the following powers and functions: (d) To review regional wage levels set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to determine if these are in accordance with prescribed guidelines and national development plans. and authorized the RTWPB to determine and fix the minimum wage rates applicable in their respective regions. No. by virtue of Republic Act No. Powers and Functions of the Commission. In line with its declared policy. and to allow business and industry reasonable returns on investment.00 daily. R. 6727 (R. Section 1 is declared valid with respect to employees earning the prevailing minimum wage rate. In another letter inquiry. to enhance employment generation in the countryside through industrial dispersal. expansion and growth. Cagayan (RTWPB). to guarantee the rights of labor to its just share in the fruits of production. Held: Section 1. The powers of NWPC are enumerated in ART. NWPC replied that the member banks are covered by the wage order and does not fall with the exemptible categories. 1996. R. the RTWPB may 57 Ma.A. issued Wage Order No.A. (g) To exercise technical and administrative supervision over the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards. Region II. Tuguegarao. No. . the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Metropolitan Bank vs NWPC (2007) G. 144322 Facts: On October 1995. RTWPB in return clarified that establishments in Region 2 are Issue: WON the wage order is void thus it has no legal effect and the RTWPB acted in excess of its jurisdiction. Per Section 13 of the Wage Order. 6727 created the NWPC. 1995 and took effect on January 1. as follows: Section 1. 6727 declared it a policy of the State to rationalize the fixing of minimum wages and to promote productivity-improvement and gain-sharing measures to ensure a decent standard of living for the workers and their families. The Wage Order was published in a newspaper of general circulation on December 2. any party aggrieved by the Wage Order may file an appeal with the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) through the RTWPB within 10 calendar days from the publication of the Wage Order. Banker s Council in a letter inquiry to NWPC requested for ruling to seek exemption from coverage of the wage order since the members bank are paying more than the regular wage. Upon effectivity of this Wage Order. NWPC referred it to RTWPB. all employees/workers in the private sector throughout Region II. or industries therein and issue the corresponding wage orders. Metrobank asked for the interpretation of the applicability of the wage order. 121. regardless of the status of employment are granted an across-the-board increase of P15.A. the RTWPB exceeded its authority by extending the coverage of the Wage Order to wage earners receiving more than the prevailing minimum wage rate.A. workers already being paid more than the existing minimum wage (up to a certain amount stated in the Wage Order) are also to be given a wage increase. As correctly pointed out by the OSG. In other words. it granted an across-the-board wage increase of P15. 58 Ma. In doing so.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests issue wage orders which set the daily minimum wage rates. the wage adjustment was to be applied to employees receiving a certain denominated salary ceiling. Instead. The "floor-wage" method involves the fixing of a determinate amount to be added to the prevailing statutory minimum wage rates. The RTWPB did not set a wage level nor a range to which a wage adjustment or increase shall be added.00 to all employees and workers of Region 2. The Court declared that there are two ways of fixing the minimum wage: the "floor-wage" method and the "salary-ceiling" method. in the "salary-ceiling" method. without a denominated salary ceiling. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . based on the standards or criteria set by Article 124 of the Labor Code. In the present case. On the other hand. the Wage Order granted additional benefits not contemplated by R. 6727. the RTWPB did not determine or fix the minimum wage rate by the "floor-wage method" or the "salary-ceiling method" in issuing the Wage Order. No. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 59 Ma. Thus. 6715. 1989. and (3) the aggregate money claim of the employee or housekeeper does not exceed five thousand pesos (P5. there is no doubt that the regional directors can try money claims only if the following requisites concur: (1) the claim is presented by an employee or person employed in domestic or household service. promulgated on December 24. 111. This provision merely confirms/reiterates the enforcement/adjudication authority of the Regional Director over uncontested money claims in cases where an employer-employee relationship still exists. the petition is granted and the public respondent is directed to refer the workers' money claims to the appropriate Labor Arbiter for proper disposition. no longer being employed. apart from the fact that each of the claims of private respondents exceeded the jurisdictional limit of P5. which took effect on March 21. However.00). the power to hear and decide employees' claims arising from employer-employee relations. which amended Article 128(b) of the Labor Code gives concurrent jurisdiction to both the Secretary of Labor (or the various regional directors) and the labor arbiters over money claims among the other cases mentioned by Article 217 of the Labor Code.000. petitioners were instructed to allow the inspection of the employment records of respondents on April 4. no inspection could be done on that date on account of the picket staged by other workers. with the enactment of Republic Act No. or househelper under the code. a simple examination of the labor arbiter's impugned order dated September 25.000. However. At the re-scheduled examination after closure of petitioners' business on April 16. instead of presenting the payrolls and daily time records of private respondents. 6715 or the New Labor Relations Law.00 fixed by Republic Act No. In the instant case. (2) the claimant.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Rajah Humabon Hotel vs Trajano (1993) G. exceeding P5. 1989.00 for each employee should be left to the Labor Arbiter as the exclusive repository of the power to hear and decide such claims.000. 1989.000. petitioner Peter Po submitted a motion to dismiss on the supposition that the regional director has no jurisdiction over the case because the employer-employee relationship had been served as a result of the closure of petitioners' business. 60 Ma. does not seek reinstatement. Hence. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 6715. Therefore.R. 1989 or seven days after the complaint at bar was filed on March 14. Issue: Who between the Regional Director of DOLE and the Labor Arbiter has jurisdictional competence over the complaint of private respondents? Held: Regional Director had no jurisdiction over the case.00 pegged by Republic Act No. 1986. Section 2 of EO No. 1989 readily shows that the aggregate claims of each of the twenty-five employees of petitioner are above the amount of P5. the regional director had no jurisdiction over the case. 100222-23 Facts: Subsequent to the initial pleading filed by respondent-employees before the regional director of DOLE for redress in regard to underpaid wages and non-payment of benefits. Articles 129 and 217 of the Labor Code were amended. Issue: WON the Regional Director has jurisdiction over the labor standards case. 1995. as amended. and in cases where the relationship of employer-employee still exists. The Secretary or his duly authorized representatives shall issue writs of execution to the appropriate authority for the enforcement of their orders. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Loreto sponsored the law. the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representatives shall have the power to issue compliance orders to give effect to the labor standards provisions of the Code and other labor legislation based on the findings of the labor employment and enforcement officers or industrial safety engineers made in the course of inspection. requesting for an investigation of petitioner's establishment. 131750 Facts: The case started when the Office of the Regional Director. Pursuant to the visitorial and enforcement powers of the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representative under Article 128 of the Labor Code. No. an appeal by the employer may be perfected only upon the posting of a cash or surety bond issued by a reputable bonding company duly accredited by the Secretary of Labor and Employment in the amount equivalent to the monetary award in the order appealed from. Copylandia Services & Trading. In case said order involves a monetary award. In his sponsorship speech. The inspections yielded the following violations involving twenty-one (21) employees who are copier operators: (1) underpayment of wages.00.R. 61 Ma. We sustain the jurisdiction of the respondent Secretary. San Fernando. and (3) no service incentive leave with pay. 128 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 129 and 217 of this Code to the contrary. Held: Regional Director has jurisdiction over the case citing Article 128 (b) of the Labor Code.000. viz: Art. La Union. As the respondent correctly pointed out.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Guico vs Sec of Labor (1998) G. for violation of labor standards laws. except in cases where the employer contests the findings of the labor employment and enforcement officer and raises issues supported by documentary proofs which were not considered in the course of inspection. as amended. (2) underpayment of 13th month pay. this Court's ruling in Servando that the visitorial power of the Secretary of Labor to order and enforce compliance with labor standard laws cannot be exercised where the individual claim exceeds P5. 1995."Petitioner's reliance on Servando is thus untenable. inspections were conducted at Copylandia's outlets on April 27 and May 2. received a letter-complaint dated April 25. Region I. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Veloso and Eriberto V.A. An order issued by the duly authorized representative of the Secretary of Labor and Employment under this article may be appealed to the latter. 7730 amending Article 128(b) of the Labor Code.) The records of the House of Representatives show that Congressmen Alberto S. Congressman Veloso categorically declared that "this bill seeks to do away with the jurisdictional limitations imposed through said ruling (referring to Servando) and to finally settle any lingering doubts on the visitorial and enforcement powers of the Secretary of Labor and Employment. can no longer be applied in view of the enactment of R. (Emphasis supplied. Acting on the complaint. private respondents filed a complaint for underpayment of wages. Issue: WON public respondent Regional Director has jurisdiction over the case. regular holiday pay. 154101 Facts: Sometime in 1997. except in cases where the employer contests the findings of the labor employment and enforcement officer and raises issues supported by documentary proofs which were not considered in the course of inspection. and in cases where the relationship of employer-employee still exists.. and that private respondents claims are within the exclusive and original jurisdiction of the Labor Arbiters.R. vs Court of Appeals (2006) G. an inspection was conducted on the premises of petitioner s offices on August 22. Petitioner argued that the Regional Director has no jurisdiction over the case as private respondents were allegedly no longer connected with petitioner corporation at the time of the filing of the complaint and when the inspection was conducted. the said quitclaim and release forms are unreliable and do not correspond to other documents on record which would prove that private respondents were working for the petitioner up to August 1997. The Secretary or his duly authorized representatives shall issue writs of execution to the appropriate authority for the enforcement of their orders. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . As found by both Undersecretary of Labor and the Court of Appeals. 1997 wherein violations of labor standards law were discovered. 62 Ma.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests EJR Crafts Corp. NCR of the DOLE. Considering thus that there still exists an employer-employee relationship between petitioner and private respondents and that the case involves violations of labor standard provisions of the Labor Code. overtime pay. this Court rules with the Undersecretary of Labor and the appellate court that the Regional Director has jurisdiction to hear and decide the instant case in conformity with Article 128(b) of the Labor Code which states that: Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 129 and 217 of this Code to the contrary. the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representatives shall have the power to issue compliance orders to give effect to the labor standards provisions of this Code and other labor legislation based on the findings of labor employment and enforcement officers or industrial safety engineers made in the course of inspection. Held: The Regional Director has jurisdiction over the case. nonpayment of 13th month pay and service incentive leave pay against petitioner before the Regional Office. Issue: WON the Regional Director has jurisdiction over the money claims. The Secretary or his duly authorized representatives shall issue writs of execution to the appropriate authority for the enforcement of their orders. Inc. This was further affirmed in our ruling in Cirineo Bowling Plaza. On 20 February 1996. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 128 Visitorial and enforcement power. then the Regional Director will have to endorse the case to the appropriate Arbitration Branch of the NLRC. Inc. if the labor standards case is covered by the exception clause in Article 128(b) of the Labor Code.000. Sensing. On 7 March 1996. the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representatives shall have the power to issue compliance orders to give effect to [the labor standards provisions of this Code and other] labor legislation based on the findings of labor employment and enforcement officers or industrial safety engineers made in the course of inspection. 152396 Facts: Ex-Bataan Veterans Security Agency. where we sustained the jurisdiction of the DOLE Regional Director and held that "the visitorial and enforcement powers of the DOLE Regional Director to order and enforce compliance with labor standard laws can be exercised even where the individual claim exceedsP5. except in cases where the employer contests the findings of the labor employment and enforcement officer and raises issues supported by documentary proofs which were not considered in the course of inspection. The rules also provide that the employer shall raise such objections during the hearing of the case or at any time after receipt of the notice of inspection results. and in cases where the relationship of employer-employee still exists. 63 Ma.R. and (c) that such matters are not verifiable in the normal course of inspection. Benguet (Ambuklao Plant). the following elements must be present: (a) that the employer contests the findings of the labor regulations officer and raises issues thereon. Held: The Regional Director has jurisdiction over the claim. private respondents led by Alexander Pocding (Pocding) instituted a complaint for underpayment of wages against EBVSAI before the Regional Office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Ex Bataan Veterans Security Agency vs Sec of Labor (2007) G. Bokod.000 because such jurisdiction was exercised in accordance with Article 128(b) of the Labor Code and the case does not fall under the exception clause. is in the business of providing security services while private respondents are EBVSAI's employees assigned to the National Power Corporation at Ambuklao Hydro Electric Plant. there is a need to examine evidentiary matters. Art. In this case. the Regional Office conducted a complaint inspection at the Ambuklao Plant where some violations were noted. x x x x The aforequoted provision explicitly excludes from its coverage Articles 129 and 217 of the Labor Code.x x x (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article[s] 129 and 217 of this Code to the contrary. v. --. the Regional Director validly assumed jurisdiction over the money claims of private respondents even if the claims exceeded P5. (b) that in order to resolve such issues." However. In order to divest the Regional Director or his representatives of jurisdiction. special and legal holiday premium pay. lodged a complaint against CEREBA. KUNWHA failed to pay CEREBA. subcontracted CEREBA Builders (CEREBA) to do the formworks of the church. and raises issues which cannot be resolved without considering evidentiary matters that are not verifiable in the normal course of inspection.952. KUNWHA and petitioner jointly and severally liable to the 82 affected workers in the amount ofP1. where the employer contests the findings of the labor regulations officer.80 or P12. On March 2001. the Secretary of Labor relied on the limitations set forth in Article 128(b) of the Labor Code and ruled. thus: It is worthy to note that as regards the power granted to Regional Director by Article 128 of the Labor Code.R. x x x Both of the above-stated limitations are wanting in this case. The letters showing the poor performance of CEREBA Builders cannot be considered as a notice of termination of the Subcontracting Agreement for the same do not state so. Sto. the latter failed to pay its employees. KUNWHA and CEREBA were given five (5) days from receipt of the notice of inspection results to rectify its violations. In resolving this jurisdictional issue. along with 81 other employees. Despite the notice. Records show that. 2000. A hearing was set wherein CEREBA manifested its willingness to pay the affected employees on the condition that KUNWHA would pay its obligation to CEREBA. The contract between KUNWHA and CEREBA lasted up to the completion of the project or on 8 September 2000. where the employer-employee relationship no longer exists. the parties failed to comply. and second. Tomas (2008) G. Issue: Whether the Secretary of Labor acquired jurisdiction over the appeal considering that this case falls within the exception stated in Article 128(b) of the Labor Code.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Catholic Vicariate Baguio City vs Hon. such as nonpayment of wages and holiday pay from 28 June 2000 to 5 September 2000.029. He also advised the other employees to ventilate their claims in an appropriate forum considering that no employer-employee relationship exists between the parties. Consequently. and others. complainants were still employed with the respondent CEREBA working for KUNWHA s project with the Vicariate.x x x 64 Ma. Petitioner. KUNWHA voluntarily settled the deficiencies due the 23 affected workers amounting to P84. as amended. non-presentation of employment records. There was no proof that the subcontracting agreement between KUNWHA LUZON CONSTRUCTION and CEREBA Builders was terminated as of July 2000. when this case was filed on August 29. An inspection of the premises resulted in the discovery of violations of labor standards law. Held: Secretary of Labor acquired jurisdiction over the appeal and petitioner is barred by estoppel from raising the issue of jurisdiction. the DOLE-CAR Regional Director issued an Order holding CEREBA.40 for each employee.544.00 The Regional Director dismissed the complaint by reason of the said settlement.560. KUNWHA. During the pendency of its motion for reconsideration. Petitioner meanwhile manifested that the retention fee due to KUNWHA was sufficient to pay the deficiencies due the affected employees. Agbucay. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . KUNWHA and petitioner before the DOLE-CAR Regional Office for nonpayment of wages. in turn. only two (2) limitations are set forth: first.167334 Facts: Petitioner contracted KUNHWA to construct the retaining wall of the Baguio Cathedral. when the complainants filed this case on August 29. petitioner also submitted to the jurisdiction of the Regional Director by taking part in the hearings before him and by submitting a position paper. Assuming arguendo the absence of an employer-employee relationship between the parties. since no written notice was served to respondent CEREBA Builders terminating the Subcontracting Agreement. the Secretary of Labor. it was only when the order of the Regional Director was modified did petitioner question the former s jurisdiction to hear and decide the case. Similarly. correctly declared that petitioner is now estopped from questioning the jurisdiction of the Regional Director when it actively participated in the proceedings held therein. Considering this. 2000. during the initial hearing of this case at the Regional Office. jurisdiction once acquired is not lost upon the instance of the parties but continues until the case is terminated. It is undisputed that the existence of an employer-employee relationship is ultimately a question of fact. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The respondents failed to present employment records and any evidence to controvert the findings despite the reasonable period of time afforded them. 65 Ma. De la Serna. It was only when respondent KUNWHA filed its Motion for Reconsideration from the Order dated March 12. the employer-employee relationship between KUNWHA and complainants existed until the completion of the subcontracting agreement on September 18.x x x It is also equally important to note that. the issue of jurisdiction is clearly intertwined with the existence of employer-employee relationship. In said case. invoking Odin Security Agency v. And.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Succinctly put. 2000. 2001 of the Regional Director that it submitted documents which the Vicariate now alleged to be not verifiable in the summary nature of the labor inspection Moreover. the Regional Director validly acquired jurisdiction over the case. the respondents failed to contest the findings of the Labor Employment and Enforcement Officer. It is only now before this Court that petitioner proffered the same. while as a general rule. enjoy the presumption of regularity under Rule 130. Hence. More fundamentally. the burden of proving payment of monetary claims rests on the employer. Petitioner had been employed as watchman from 1 May 1995 to 30 May 1998 when he was terminated on the ground that the project he was assigned to was already finished. respondents submitted typewritten and signed payroll sheets from 2 September to 8 December 1996. 66 Ma.R. Held: Appellate Court was right. and from 12 January to 31 May 1998. In his Comment on the Petition for Certiorari with Prayer for Temporary Restraining and/or Preliminary Injunction filed with the Court of Appeals on 22 November 2001. Moreover. the burden of evidence shifts to the employee and it is incumbent upon him to adduce clear and convincing evidence in support of his claim. Neither did he do so when he moved for reconsideration of the 8 May 2002 Decision of the Court of Appeals. To counter petitioner's assertions. absent any evidence to the contrary.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Sapio vs Undaloc Construction (2008) G. good faith must be presumed in this case. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . petitioner did not raise this procedural issue. petitioner's bare assertions of fraud do not suffice to overcome the disputable presumption of regularity.00. 155034 Facts: The controversy started with a complaint filed by petitioner against Undaloc Construction and/or Engineer Cirilo Undaloc for illegal dismissal. from 26 May to 15 June 1997. he being allegedly a project employee. Issue: WON the Appellate court erred in failing to dismiss respondent's petition for certiorari brought before it on the ground that respondents failed to attach certified true copies of the NLRC's decision and resolution denying the motion for reconsideration. These payroll sheets clearly indicate that petitioner did receive a daily salary of P141. This belated submission spells doom for petitioner. is engaged in road construction business in Cebu City. when fraud is alleged in the preparation of the payroll. Unfortunately. underpayment of wages and nonpayment of statutory benefits. Section 43 of the Rules of Court. being entries in the course of business. a single proprietorship owned by Cirilo Undaloc. an examination of the Court of Appeals rollo belies petitioner as it confirms that the alleged missing documents were in fact attached to the petition. Entries in the payroll. Respondent Undaloc Construction. But petitioner asserted that he was a regular employee having been engaged to perform works which are "usually necessary or desirable" in respondents' business. The legislative intent to make the bond an indispensable requisite for the perfection of an appeal by the employer is underscored by the provision that an appeal by the employer may be perfected only upon the posting of a cash or surety bond. Held: 1. By ruling that the rules of procedure of the NLRC should be applied suppletorily to respondents appeal to the Secretary of Labor of Employment. respondent was not able to present its payroll as well as the daily time records submitted by the petitioners. In the exercise of their respective jurisdictions. In the process. Issues: WON there was a perfected appeal. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The latter conducted an inspection of the respondent security agency. Alonso. (FII) in Sta. In other words. it encroached on the rule-making power of the Secretary of Labor and Employment. Respondents appealed to the Court of Appeals. Hence. whether motion to reduce appeal bond allowed in appeals to the Secretary of Labor. 167708 Facts: Petitioners Edgardo M. The SOLE found that respondents failed to perfect their appeal since they did not post a cash or surety bond equivalent to the monetary award. Inc. They were not given new assignments and their benefits (including 13th month pay. Jr. However. the CA effectively amended the Rules on the Disposition of Labor Standards Cases. Thus. Inc. they filed a complaint for violation of labor standards in the regional office of the (DOLE-NCR). to perfect an appeal of the Regional Director s order involving a monetary award in cases which concern the visitorial and enforcement powers of the Secretary of Labor and Employment. The jurisdiction of the NLRC is separate and distinct from that of the Secretary of Labor and Employment. each agency is governed by its own rules of procedure. the rules of procedure of the NLRC are different from (and do not apply in) cases cognizable by the Secretary of Labor and Employment. the suppletory application of the Rules of Court is authorized.) Respondents failed to perfect their appeal in the manner prescribed by the Labor Code. In other words. During such inspection.) No. were hired by respondent Panay Veteran s Security and Investigation Agency. Laguna until FII terminated its contract with respondent security agency. Secretary of Labor vs Panay Veterans Security and Investigation Agency (2008) G. DOLE inspector issued a notice of inspection and concomitantly explained to the respondents that they have to comply with labor standards by paying the claims of the petitioners or otherwise. 67 Ma.R. In consequence. Agapay and Samillano A. the appeal was dismissed and the DOLE-NCR Regional Director s order was declared final and executory.]no provision in the Rules on the Disposition of Labor Standards Cases governs the filing of a motion for the reduction of the amount of the bond. they can question the notice to the DOLE-NCR within 5 days. Respondents moved for reconsideration but it was denied. Respondents filed an appeal (with motion to reduce cash or surety bond) to the SOLE. on matters that are not covered by the Rules on the Disposition of Labor Standards Cases. The rule is that. Unlike the New Rules of Procedure of the NLRC. the Rules on the Disposition of Labor Standards Cases does not sanction the suppletory resort to the rules of procedure of the NLRC. Rosa. The SOLE denied reconsideration. the appeal must be filed and the cash or surety bond equivalent to the monetary award must be posted within ten calendar days from receipt of the order. the Regional Director of DOLE-NCR adopted the findings of the inspector. Failure either to file the appeal or post the bond within the prescribed period renders the order final and executory. They were stationed at the plant site of Food Industries.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Hon. overtime pay and holiday pay as well as wage differentials due to underpayment of wages) were withheld by respondent security agency. Since respondents did not do either of the aforementioned things. The word only makes it clear that the lawmakers intended the posting of a cash or surety bond by the employer to be the exclusive means by which an employer s appeal may be perfected 2. with such violation. the termination of employment of these NAMAWU members was already a settled matter that the NLRC was in no position to disregard. 1995 due to an earlier illegal strike. it filed a complaint with the Regional Arbitration Branch No. however. 1996 to October 12. posted the required bond for three non-striking employees. in violation of its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).R. resulting in a decision by the NLRC on November 11. contending that NAMAWU had not been authorized by the individual employees the real parties-in-interest to file the complaint. its members were not paid the wages due them for six months (from April 12. 174641 Facts: On April 1996. MARCOPPER appealed the decision to the NLRC. when the NLRC dismissed MARCOPPER s appeal for failure to file the requisite appeal bond corresponding to the 615 NAMAWU members. the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the indefinite suspension of MARCOPPER s operations for causing damage to the environment of the Province of Marinduque by spilling the company s mine waste or tailings from an old underground impounding area into the Boac River. 1996) under Rule X. The CA decision decreeing the termination of employment of those involved in the illegal strike case had already been issued at that time. damages. MARCOPPER denied liability. 1995. The employment of the NAMAWU officers and members had been declared terminated on March 7. NAMAWU was the exclusive bargaining representative of the rank-and-file workers of MARCOPPER. Thereafter. 4(b) of the Labor Code s implementing rules. MARCOPPER had every reason to claim in its April 10. 1996. Thus. Held: The CA was correct in reversing the dismissal of MARCOPPER s appeal for failure to file an appeal bond. Section 3(b) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Labor Code. the case is hereinafter referred to as the environmental incident case. On April 10.[8] It further claimed that its members are also entitled to be paid their separation pay pursuant to their collective bargaining agreement with MARCOPPER and pursuant to Book IV. NAMAWU claimed that due to the indefinite suspension of MARCOPPER s operations. In the context of the NLRC appeal bond that is directly at issue. IV of the NLRC against MARCOPPER for nonpayment of wages. the illegal strike litigation commenced. Book III. 1996 declaring the strike illegal. Rule I. separation pay. and that the complaint should be dismissed for lack of certification of non-forum shopping. it also moved that it be allowed not to post an appeal bond for 615 NAMAWU members former MARCOPPER employees who had been dismissed effective March 7. Issue: Whether CA erred in ruling that there was no need for MARCOPPER to post an appeal bond. namely: Apollo V. 1995 as a result of their failure to return to work after their strike of February 27. We subsequently ruled on the same issue during the time the environmental incident case was pending before the NLRC. and for lack of factual and legal basis. In this appeal. 2000 appeal to the NLRC that it should be excused from filing an appeal bond with respect to the NAMAWU members who were no longer company employees. and attorney s fees.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests National Mines and Workers Union vs Marcopper Mining Corp (2008) G. Rogelio Regencia and Jose Romasanta. for the pendency of another action between the same parties. 68 Ma. Saet. MARCOPPER. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . with the parties eventually ordered to submit their respective position papers. claiming that the Regional Director gave credence to the documents offered by respondent without examining the originals. its current state as well as accepted contemporary practices in the industry. While documents. the Labor Inspector wrote under the heading Findings/Recommendations non-diminution of benefits and Note: Respondent deny employer-employee relationship with the complainant. In the Inspection Report Form. Inc) for illegal deduction. Petitioner sought reconsideration of the Order. Rodolfo M. premium pay for holiday and rest day and illegal diminution of benefits. Inc.30. particularly documents found in the employer s office are the primary source materials.. (Bombo Radyo Phils. The reason is obvious. and that the former is entitled to his money claims amounting to P203. 69 Ma. In the second situation especially. necessarily so. In his Order dated 27 February 2004.[ On appeal to the DOLE Secretary. The intricacies and implications of an employer-employee relationship demand that the level of scrutiny should be far above the cursory and the mechanical.R. what may prove decisive are factors related to the history of the employer s business operations. 13th month pay. but at the same time he missed or failed to consider petitioner s evidence. In its Order dated 27 January 2005.000. VII. because the elements of such a relationship are not verifiable from a mere ocular examination. It also added that the case was beyond the jurisdiction of the DOLE and should have been considered by the labor arbiter because respondent s claim exceeded P5. petitioner denied once more the existence of employer-employee relationship. the existence of an employer-employee relationship is a matter which is not easily determinable from an ordinary inspection. No rectification was effected by petitioner. Held: Secretary of Labor has the power to determine the existence of an employer-employee relationship. DOLE Regional Director Atty. Petitioner maintained that there is no employer-employee relationship had ever existed between it and respondent because it was the drama directors and producers who paid. PAG-IBIG and Philhealth before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. 726. summary investigations were conducted. non-payment of service incentive leave. On the basis of the complaint. the question of employer-employee relationship becomes a battle of evidence. Issue: Whether the Secretary of Labor has the power to determine the existence of an employer-employee relationship. Petitioner s motion for reconsideration was denied. delayed payment of wages and non-coverage of SSS. Petitioner was required to rectify/restitute the violations within five (5) days from receipt. the Acting DOLE Secretary dismissed the appeal on the ground that petitioner did not post a cash or surety bond and instead submitted a Deed of Assignment of Bank Deposit. supervised and disciplined respondent.Cebu City. thus. 179652 Facts: Jandeleon Juezan filed a complaint against People s Broadcasting Service.00.see Notice of Inspection results. Sabulao (Regional Director) ruled that respondent is an employee of petitioner. More often than not. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the DOLE conducted a plant level inspection on 23 September 2003. the determination of which should be comprehensive and intensive and therefore best left to the specialized quasi-judicial body that is the NLRC. Clearly the law accords a prerogative to the NLRC over the claim when the employer-employee relationship has terminated or such relationship has not arisen at all.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests People s Broadcasting vs Secretary of DOLE (2009) G. petitioner could illafford to disclaim an employment relationship with all of the people under its aegis. At least a prima facie showing of such absence of relationship. could have very well enjoined other employees to complain with the DOLE. incidental and collateral to the DOLE s primary function of enforcing labor standards provisions. Respondent. The determination of the existence of employer-employee relationship is still primarily lodged with the NLRC. And the evidence clearly indicates private respondent has never been petitioner s employee. Indeed. as the dissent proposes. which is best resolved by the quasi-judicial body. rather than an administrative official of the executive branch of the government. on a matter fraught with questions of fact and law. As exhaustively discussed here. Among these differentiated rights are those accorded by the labor standards provisions of the Labor Code. and. The Secretary of Labor would not have been precluded from exercising the powers under Article 128 (b) over petitioner if another person with better-grounded claim of employment than that which respondent had. was there ever an employer-employee relationship to speak of. or alternatively. since employees are entitled to a different set of rights under the Labor Code from the employer as opposed to non-employees. wage order. 128 (b). two important questions must be resolved: (1) Does the employer-employee relationship still exist. as in this case. the duty of the employer to adhere to those labor standards with respect to the non-employees is questionable. Such prerogatival determination. The rationale underlying this limitation is to eliminate the prospect of competing conclusions of the Secretary of Labor and the NLRC. 70 Ma. before the DOLE may exercise its powers under Article 128. especially if he were an employee. the DOLE s prerogative hinges on the existence of employer-employee relationship. cannot be coextensive with the visitorial and enforcement power itself. Reading of Art. which is the NRLC. If there is no employer-employee relationship in the first place. is needed to preclude the DOLE from the exercise of its power. 128 of the Labor Code reveals that the Secretary of Labor or his authorized representatives was granted visitorial and enforcement powers for the purpose of determining violations of. This is the meaning of the clause in cases where the relationship of employer-employee still exists in Art. at the same time. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests It can be assumed that the DOLE in the exercise of its visitorial and enforcement power somehow has to make a determination of the existence of an employer-employee relationship. such determination is merely preliminary. Thus. and (2) Are there violations of the Labor Code or of any labor law? The existence of an employer-employee relationship is a statutory prerequisite to and a limitation on the power of the Secretary of Labor. and enforcing. the Labor Code and any labor law. or rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto. however. the issue is which is at the very heart of this case. The most important consideration for the allowance of the instant petition is the opportunity for the Court not only to set the demarcation between the NLRC s jurisdiction and the DOLE s prerogative but also the procedure when the case involves the fundamental challenge on the DOLE s prerogative based on lack of employer-employee relationship. his office confers jurisdiction on itself which it cannot otherwise acquire. the actual existence of an employer-employee relationship affects the complexion of the putative findings that the Secretary of Labor may determine. Necessarily. If the Secretary of Labor proceeds to exercise his visitorial and enforcement powers absent the first requisite. which the Secretary of Labor is mandated to enforce. one which the legislative branch is entitled to impose. Reynaldo C. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 000215-02 the compulsory arbitration involving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) deadlock between Dusit Hotel and the Union granting the hotel employees the following wage increases. Upon the effectivity of this Wage Order. In the meantime. the DOLE-NCR issued a Notice of Inspection Result directing Dusit Hotel to effect restitution and/or correction of the noted violations within five days from receipt of the Notice. It grants P30.. the report showed that Dusit Hotel is exempt from complying with WO no.00) per day payable in two tranches as follows: Amount of ECOLA Effectivity P15. 2003 . In the first Inspection. Accordingly. the DOLE-NCR sent Labor Standards Officer Estrellita Natividad (LSO Natividad) to conduct an inspection of Dusit Hotel premises on 24 April 2002. On 24 May 2002. the NLRC rendered a Decision 9 dated 9 October 2002 in NLRC-NCR-CC No.P500. 2002 . took effect on 5 November 2001.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Phil Hoteliers Inc. all private sector workers and employees in the National Capital Region receiving daily wage rates of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (P250. otherwise. 5/01 to present. an order of compliance would be issued. Rasing sent Dir. DOLE representative conducted another round of inspection and the Labor Standards Officer noted the following in her inspection report: * Non-presentation of records/payrolls * Based on submitted payrolls & list of union members by NUWHRAIN-DUSIT HOTEL NIKKO Chapter.P550.R.00/month Effective January 1.00 1 February 2002 On 20 March 2002.00) up to TWO HUNDRED NINETY PESOS (P290. 9. vs National Union of Workers in Hotel Restaurant & Allied Industries Dusit Hotel Nikko Chapter (2009) G. while there was an on-going compulsory arbitration before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) due to a bargaining deadlock between the Union and Dusit Hotel. 9. reporting the non-compliance of Dusit Hotel with WO No. respondent National Union of Workers in Hotel. Acting on Rasing's letters. Rasing (Rasing). Maraan another letter following-up his previous request for assistance.00 5 November 2001 P15. Maraan) of the Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR). 181972 Facts: Wage Order No. Due to the Second request for inspection. in accord with the CBA: Effective January 1.P600. and requesting immediate assistance on this matter. identified as follows in Section 1 thereof: Section 1. approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of the National Capital Region (NCR). NCR-09-> ECOLA covering the periods from Nov. Restaurant and Allied Industries-Dusit Hotel Nikko Chapter (Union). sent a letter 4 to Director Alex Maraan (Dir. 9.00/month Effective January 1.00) shall receive an emergency cost of living allowance in the amount of THIRTY PESOS (P30.00/month 71 Ma.00 ECOLA to particular employees and workers of all private sectors. and to submit any question on the findings of the labor inspector within the same period. there are one hundred forty-four (144) affected in the implementation of Wage Order No. The Notice of Inspection Result was duly received by Dusit Hotel Assistant Personnel Manager Rogelio Santos. through its President. 2001 . corresponding to their unpaid ECOLA under WO No. reveals that the said 72 Ma. Issues: Whether the 144 hotel employees were still entitled to ECOLA granted by WO No. Dusit Hotel filed a Motion for Reconsideration 13 of the DOLE-NCR Order dated 22 October 2002. for lack of merit. ordered by NLRC in the latter's Decision dated 9 October 2002. retroactive to 1 January 2001. resolving the bargaining deadlock between Dusit Hotel and the Union. issued herein by the DOLE-NCR to Dusit Hotel.00. In case the service charge is abolished. DOLE-NCR. The Court. if any. 6727. restaurants and similar establishments shall be distributed at the rate of eighty-five percent (85%) for all covered employees and fifteen percent (15%) for management. 8188. Held: The Court rules in the negative. plus. 9. Acting on the Motion for Reconsideration of Dusit Hotel. All service charges collected by hotels. pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. together with the officer's recommendation and computation of the unpaid benefits due each worker with an advice that the employer shall be liable for double indemnity in case of refusal or failure to correct the violation within five calendar days from receipt of notice". 30 the Notice of Inspection Result "shall specify the violations discovered. Maraan. 9 despite the increases in their salaries. through Dir. Whether Dusit Hotel is liable for the double indemnity for violation of the wage order.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests On 22 October 2002. along with the hotel employees' share in the service charges. arguing that the NLRC Decision dated 9 October 2002. With the increase in the salaries of the hotel employees ordered by the NLRC Decision of 9 October 2002. The share of employees shall be equally distributed among them. the share of the covered employees shall be considered integrated in their wages. 11 as amended by Republic Act No. setting aside its earlier Order dated 22 October 2002 for being moot and academic. 9. finds no basis to hold Dusit Hotel liable for double indemnity. the hotel employees' right to their shares in the service charges collected by Dusit Hotel is distinct and separate from their right to ECOLA. DOLE-NCR issued a Resolution 14 on 27 December 2002. for non-compliance with WO No. already rendered the DOLE-NCR Order moot and academic. however. the penalty of double indemnity. would already be receiving salaries beyond the coverage of WO No. gratification by the hotel of one does not result in the satisfaction of the other. in consideration of the NLRC Decision dated 9 October 2002.240.218. A careful review of the Notice of Inspection Result dated 29 May 2002. the 144 hotel employees. and dismissing the complaint of the Union against Dusit Hotel. Under Section 2 (m) of DOLE Department Order No. Undoubtedly. Since Dusit Hotel is explicitly mandated by the afore-quoted statutory provision to pay its employees and management their respective shares in the service charges collected. issued the Order 10 directing Dusit Hotel to pay 144 of its employees the total amount of P1. covered by the DOLE-NCR Order of 22 October 2002. and awarding salary increases under the CBA to hotel employees retroactive to 1 January 2001. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Service charges. to wit: Article 96. based on the results of the second inspection of Dusit Hotel premises. It must be noted that the hotel employees have a right to their share in the service charges collected by Dusit Hotel. the hotel cannot claim that payment thereof to its 82 employees constitute substantial compliance with the payment of ECOLA under WO No. 10. Series of 1998. 9. pursuant to Article 96 of the Labor Code of 1991. are entitled to respect and enforcement in the interest of simple fair play. 6727. it should not be supposed that every labor dispute will be automatically decided in favor of labor. pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. it is equally mindful of the protection that the law accords to capital. Although the Court is mindful of the fact that labor embraces individuals with a weaker and unlettered position as against capital. Management also has its own rights which. the DOLE-NCR. as to avoid the penalty of double indemnity. 8188. corresponding to their unpaid ECOLA under WO No. While the Constitution is committed to the policy of social justice and the protection of the working class. it was not sufficiently apprised that failure to do so within the given period would already result in its liability for double indemnity.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Notice did not contain such an advice. plus the penalty of double indemnity. By 22 October 2002. Maraan. as such. through Dir.00. 9.218. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The lack of advice deprived Dusit Hotel of the opportunity to decide and act accordingly within the five-day period. as amended by Republic Act No.240. already issued its Order directing Dusit Hotel to pay 144 of its employees the total amount of P1. 73 Ma. Although the Notice directed Dusit Hotel to correct its noted violations within five days from receipt thereof. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 74 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . shelter. commission and/or remuneration. maintenance and orderliness of all guest rooms. The said decision having become final and executory. it is undeniable that petitioner is occupying a position equivalent to that of a managerial or supervisory position. Persons belonging to this class usually look to the reward of a day's labor for immediate or present support.M. and such persons are more in need of the exemption than any others. P5. ordering petitioner to pay the former the sum of P10. namely. In dismissing the petition. and removing its name from the building directory and gate passes of its officials and employees".00 as moral damages. Held: Petitioner is not covered by Article 1708 since she does not fall within the criteria of laborer. public areas. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . responsible for planning. controlling. garnishing her "salary. Gaa was then the building administrator. and the surroundings of the hotel. Said motion was denied by the lower Court. where petitioner was then employed. Kalaw Street. commission and or remuneration" are exempted from execution under Article 1708 of the New Civil Code.000. We do not think that the legislature intended the exemption in Article 1708 of the New Civil Code to operate in favor of any but those who are laboring men or women in the sense that their work is manual. Petitioner is definitely not within that class. P5. Issue: WON the Petitioner is covered by Article 1708 of the New Civil Code.00 as actual damages. except for debts incurred for food. and coordinating the activities of all housekeeping personnel so as to ensure the cleanliness. On December 12. 1973. a writ of garnishment was issued pursuant to which Deputy Sheriff Cesar A. directing. 75 Ma. 1975 served a Notice of Garnishment upon El Grande Hotel.000.00 as exemplary damages and to pay the costs. but only to those laborers occupying the lower strata. Roxas on August 1. function rooms.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Gaa vs Court of Appeals (1985) 140 SCRA 304 Facts: It appears that respondent Europhil Industries Corporation was formerly one of the tenants in Trinity Building at T. clothing and medical attendance. Manila. 1974. On June 28. said court rendered judgment in favor of respondent Europhil Industries. Article 1708 of the Civil Code provides: The laborer's wage shall not be subject to execution or attachment." It is beyond dispute that petitioner is not an ordinary or rank and file laborer but a responsibly place employee.000. while petitioner Rosario A. the Court of Appeals held that petitioner is not a mere laborer as contemplated under Article 1708 as the term laborer does not apply to one who holds a managerial or supervisory position like that of petitioner. cutting of its electricity." Petitioner then filed with the Court of First Instance of Manila a motion to lift said garnishment on the ground that her "salaries. Court of Appeals dismissed the petition. Considering the importance of petitioner's function in El Grande Hotel. of El Grande Hotel. Europhil Industries commenced an action (in the Court of First Instance of Manila for damages against petitioner for having perpetrated certain acts that Europhil Industries considered a trespass upon its rights. vs NLRC (1991) 193 SCRA 504 Facts: Four CBAs separately covering the petitioner's employees in its Alabang/Cabuyao factories. Held: The employees have a vested and demandable right over the retirement plan. the plan assumes a consensual character which cannot be terminated or modified at will by either party. while the parties were negotiating.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Nestle Phils Inc. 1988. Petitioner alleged that since its retirement plan is non-contributory. and on August 5. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . In August 1987. the company was able to conclude a CBA with the union at the Cebu/Davao Sales Office. The union assailed the validity of those agreements and filed a case of unfair labor practice against the company on November 16. Nestle has the sole and exclusive prerogative to define the terms of the plan because the workers have no vested and demandable rights. After conciliation efforts of the NCMB yielded negative results. The company retaliated by dismissing the union officers and members of the negotiating panel who participated in the illegal strike.. reward their loyalty. Makati Administration Office. On September 1987. It should be left to the discretion of the company on how to improve or modify the same. The NLRC issued a resolution on June 5. 1987. 1988. on March 30.Cagayan de Oro Factory represented by WATU. The inclusion of the retirement plan in the collective bargaining agreement as part of the package of economic benefits extended by the company to its employees to provide them a measure of financial security after they shall have ceased to be employed in the company. Marathon collective bargaining negotiations between the parties ensued. the UFE declared a bargaining deadlock. with the Cagayan de Oro factory workers. without notice. 1989. the dispute was certified to the NLRC. the employees at Cabuyao resorted to a "slowdown" and walk-outs prompting the petitioner to shut down the factory. the plan is specifically mentioned in the previous bargaining agreements thereby integrating or incorporating the provisions thereof to the agreement. boost their morale 76 Ma. On September 8. At most the company can only be directed to maintain the same but not to change its terms. as well as its Cebu/Davao Sales Office. the NLRC held that anent management's objection to the modification of its Retirement Plan. the Makati office and Cagayan de Oro factory on September 11. The NLRC affirmed the dismissals on November 2. all expired on June 30. the NLRC issued a resolution denying the motions for reconsideration. Issue: WON the workers have vested and demandable rights over the retirement plan. 1987 up to December 8. UFE filed a notice of strike on the same ground of CBA deadlock and unfair labor practices. the union struck. However. at the Alabang/Cabuyao factory. the grant thereof being not a contractual obligation but merely gratuitous. UFE was certified as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all regular rankand-file employees at the petitioner's Cagayan de Oro factory. Union of Filipro Employees [UFE]). 1988. whose pertinent disposition regarding the union's demand for liberalization of the company's retirement plan for its workers. (Both Alabang/Cabuyao factories and Makati office were represented by the respondent. 1988. and Cebu/Davao Sales Offices represented by the Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services (TUPAS). it becomes part and parcel of CBA negotiations. the Secretary of Labor assumed jurisdiction and issued a return to work order. 1987. By reason of its incorporation. On January 26. With regard to the Retirement Plan. 1987. In spite of that order. 1988. Consequently. the Union's demand to increase the benefits due the employees under said plan. vacation. The latter may not unilaterally withdraw. The petitioner's contention. that the employees contribute nothing to the operation of the plan. rice allowances. almost all of the benefits that the petitioner has granted to its employees under the CBA salary increases. Since the retirement plan has been an integral part of the CBA since 1972. does not make it a non-issue in the CBA negotiations.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests and efficiency and promote industrial peace. 13th and 14th month pay. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . eliminate or diminish such benefits. is a valid CBA issue. medical and hospitalization plans. seniority pay. i. midyear bonuses. sick & other leaves with pay are non-contributory benefits.. has no merit for employees do have a vested and demandable right over existing benefits voluntarily granted to them by their employer. health and dental services. As a matter of fact. gives "a consensual character" to the plan so that it may not be terminated or modified at will by either party. that employees have no vested or demandable right to a non-contributory retirement plan. The fact that the retirement plan is non-contributory.e. 77 Ma. 00 for the previous day. On November 27. materials. Sometime in 1989. With respect to Sabsalon. he was held up by his armed passenger who took all his money and thereafter stabbed him. Maldigan requested petitioners for the reimbursement of his daily cash deposits for 2 years. Sabsalon. However.00 for car washing.00 deposit to answer for any deficiency in their boundary. 1991. considered a prohibition regarding wages.00. No employer shall require his worker to make deposits from which deductions shall be made for the reimbursement of loss of or damage to tools. Held: The Court declares that the deposits made. 1987. while driving a taxicab of petitioners on September 1983. they worked for 4 days weekly on a 24-hour shifting schedule. except when the employer is engaged in such trades. or equipment supplied by the employer. he failed to report for work during his schedule. petitioners terminated his services. or is necessary or desirable as determined by the Secretary of Labor in appropriate rules and regulations. 1991. In less than 4 months after Maldigan was hired as an extra driver by the petitioners. but herein petitioners told him that not a single centavo was left of his deposits as these were not even enough to cover the amount spent for the repairs of the taxi he was driving. 78 Ma. he abandoned his taxicab in Makati without fuel refill worth P300. Sabsalon was re-admitted by petitioners as a taxi driver under the same terms and conditions as when he was first employed.00 for non-air-conditioned taxi. This was allegedly the practice adopted by petitioners to recoup the expenses incurred in the repair of their taxicab units. on several occasions. he already failed to report for work for unknown reasons. Despite repeated requests of petitioners for him to report for work. he adamantly refused. Petitioners learned that he was working for Mine of Gold Taxi Company. he went to this home province to recuperate. Aside from the daily boundary of P700. occupations or business where the practice of making deposits is a recognized one. When Maldigan insisted on the refund of his deposit. Sabsalon failed to remit his boundary of P700. for every actual working day. private respondents filed a complaint with the manila Arbitration Office of the National Labor Relations Commission charging petitioners with illegal dismissal and illegal deductions. they were also required to pay P20. on his part. In January. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .00 for air-conditioned taxi or P450.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Five J Taxi vs NLRC (1992) 235 SCRA 556 Facts: Private respondents Domingo Maldigan and Gilberto Sabsalon were hired by the petitioners as taxi drivers and. amounts to the prohibition provided by law. The deposits made were illegal and the respondents must be refunded. Afterwards it was revealed that he was driving a taxi for Bulaklak Company. but his working schedule was made on an alternative basis where he drove only every other day. as such. He was hospitalized and after his discharge. Issue: WON the deductions made were illegal and if illegal. Article 114 of the Labor Code provides as follows: Deposits for loss or damage. claimed that his termination from employment was effected when he refused to pay for the washing of his taxi seat covers. and to further make a P15. Also. On September 22. and is.00. the same does not apply to or permit deposits to defray any deficiency which the taxi driver may incur in the remittance of his boundary." Consequently. the labor arbiter had this to say in his decision: "Anent the issue of illegal deductions.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests It can be deduced that the said article provides the rule on deposits for loss or damage to tools. much more (sic) to consider the amount paid by the driver as illegal deduction in the context of the law. car washing after a tour of duty is a practice in the taxi industry. 79 Ma. the amount doled out was paid directly to the person who washed the unit. after a tour of duty. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . if they wanted to save their P20. Clearly.00 car wash payments they made. It will be noted that there was nothing to prevent private respondents from cleaning the taxi units themselves. On the matter of the car wash payments. materials or equipments supplied by the employer. it is incumbent upon the driver to restore the unit he has given to the same clean condition when he took it out. dictated by fair play. as the Solicitor General correctly noted. thus we find nothing illegal in this practice. Also. complainant(s) (private respondents herein) were made to shoulder the expenses for washing. and as claimed by the respondents (petitioners in the present case). there is no dispute that as a matter of practice in the taxi industry. private respondents are not entitled to the refund of the P20. in fact. in turn. 80 Ma. On April 23. the giving of the bonus should have been done over a long period of time. To be considered a regular practice. on the grounds of bargaining deadlock and unfair labor practices. 1997. the giving of the special bonus can no longer be withdrawn by the company as this would amount to a diminution of the employee s existing benefits. to continue giving said benefits knowing that such act was not required by law. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . MEWA submitted its proposal to MERALCO. presented a counter-proposal. the parties failed to arrive at terms and conditions acceptable to both of them. 1995. despite the series of meetings between the negotiating panels of MERALCO and MEWA. As a rule. being negotiated in the CBA. While the special bonuses differed in amount and bore different titles. MEWA filed a Notice of Strike with the National Capital Region Branch of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which was docketed as NCMB-NCR-NS-04-152-96. Indeed. a company practice favorable to the employees has been established and the payments made by MERALCO pursuant thereto ripened into benefits enjoyed by the employees. it can not be denied that these were given voluntarily and continuously on or about Christmas time. 1996. the record shows the MERALCO.R. On November 10. and must be shown to have been consistent and deliberate. However. which. has further been giving its employees an additional Christmas bonus at the tail-end of the year since 1988. Issue: Whether the members of MEWA are entitled to benefits given as bonuses. a bonus is not a demandable and enforceable obligation. The considerable length of time MERALCO has been giving the special grants to its employees indicates a unilateral and voluntary act on its part. 127598 Facts: MEWA is the duly recognized labor organization of the rank-and-file employees of MERALCO. collective bargaining negotiations proceeded. 1995 and formed a CBA negotiating panel for the purpose. MERALCO filed a petition to let the Secretary of DOLE to assume jurisdiction over the case which was granted. 1995. Thereafter. The NCMB then conducted a series of conciliation meetings but the parties failed to reach an amicable settlement. it may nevertheless be granted on equitable consideration as when the giving of such bonus has been the company s long and regular practice. Consequently. Held: The members of MEWA are entitled to the benefits although in the form of benefits which is a subject of the negotiation of CBA. 1995 to November 30.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Manila Electric Co vs Sec of Labor (1999) G. NLRC: The test or rationale of this rule on long practice requires an indubitable showing that the employer agreed to continue giving the benefits knowing fully well that said employees are not covered by the law requiring payment thereof. The ruling in National Sugar Refineries Corporation vs. MEWA informed MERALCO of its intention to re-negotiate the terms and conditions of their existing 1992-1997 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering the remaining period of two years starting from December 1. In this case. On September 7. MERALCO signified its willingness to re-negotiate through its letter dated October 17. aside from complying with the regular 13th month bonus. O. This is evident in the wage and allowance increases granted under previous Presidential Decrees and Wage Orders.R. 130439 Facts: In 1983. its employees. were terminated from work and given their respective separation pay and other benefits.654. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .754.O. when R. 2) as well as moral damages and attorney s fees in the amount of P300. the Bank unilaterally reduced the factor to 262 instead of maintaining factor 365 as was the practice/policy long before the effectivity of the Act. 2.802. Molina claimed that his salary should have been adjusted in compliance with said wage orders. where the rest days are unworked but paid.O. An employment agreement. Consequently. On appeal. Issue: Whether Molina is entitled to wage increase computation that used the 365 days factor.000. Molina.A 6727 took effect.A. On 11 May 1991. Petitioner was subsequently placed under liquidation on 15 June 1985. Meanwhile. petitioner Philippine Veterans Bank was placed under receivership by the Central Bank (now Bangko Sentral). The complaint demanded the implementation of Wage Orders Nos. 2 became mandated a P12increase in the daily wage of employees whose monthly salary did not exceed P4. W. However. Labor Arbiter rejected the 26. 1 and W.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Philippine Veterans Bank vs NLRC (1999) G. 6640 went into force. whose re-employment commenced on 15 June 1985. W. To assist in the liquidation. May we add that the old practice of the bank in using factor 365 days in a year in determining equivalent monthly salary cannot unilaterally be changed by your employer without the consent of the employees. is a bilateral contract and as such either party thereto cannot change or amend the terms thereof without the consent of the other party thereto. among them Molina.16.319.60 at the time of his dismissal on 31 January 1992. prescribing a P17-increase in the daily wage of employees whose monthly salary did not exceed P3. And when R. MOLINA filed a complaint against members of the liquidation team. adopting instead the factor of 365 days.O. The liquidation team countered that MOLINA was not entitled to any salary increase because he was already receiving a monthly salary of P6. the NLRC sustained the labor arbiter s ruling after concluding that Molina was a regular employee of petitioner with a basic monthly salary of P3.e.60. 1 and W. the Bank reverted to the old practice/policy of using factor 365 days in computing your equivalent monthly rate salary. On the other hand.. whether written or unwritten. He was. 6440 computed on the basis of 365 81 Ma.O. The documents attached show that the Bank has been consistently using the factor of 365 days in computing your equivalent monthly salary prior to its being placed under receivership by the Central Bank.O.A. i. which were given by the Bank on monthly basis. entitled to the wage increases mandated by the aforesaid wage orders. some of petitioner s former employees were rehired. NCR-01 and NCR-02 (hereafter W.08. Jose Teodorico V. such practice being now a part of the terms and conditions of your employment. Held: Molina is entitled to the wage increase computation using the 365 days as factor. Consequently. therefore. including private respondent Dr. This is also indicated in the appointment and service records of bank personnel who started out as daily paid employees and were eventually promoted as permanent employees with fixed monthly salaries.16 factor used by the liquidators in computing the daily wage of MOLINA. It is clear that respondent is entitled to the wage increase under R. they were ordered to pay Molina the wage differentials due him under W. 1 took effect on November 1990. 16 factor would be a diminution of a labor benefit. It cannot be doubted that the 365 factor favors petitioner s employees because it results in a higher determination of their monthly salary. the use of the 365 factor is binding and conclusive. forming as it did part of the employment contract. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Evidently.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests paid days and to the corresponding salary differentials as a result of the application of this factor. To abandon such policy and revert to its old practice of using the 26. which is prohibited by the Labor Code. 82 Ma. Region IV in Calamba. vs Court of Appeals (2004) G. rice subsidy. on January 2000. In view of the expiration of this CBA. which constrained it to file a petition before the Department of Labor and Employment. the giving of such bonus cannot be deemed as an established practice considering that the same was given only once. A few days later. it may nevertheless be granted on equitable considerations as when the giving of such bonus has been the company s long and regular practice. It rendered decision fixing the amount of wage increase and directed to conclude a CBA to include the items granted in the conference. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Previous to that. Laguna. The strike lasted for eleven days and resulted in the stoppage of manufacturing operations as well as losses for petitioner. on October 26. during the 1997 CBA negotiation. Petitioner claims that this bonus was promised as a unilateral incentive for the speeding up of negotiations between the parties and to encourage respondent union to exert their best efforts to conclude a CBA. after eleven meetings. respondent union filed a Notice of Strike with the NCMB.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Philippine Appliance Corp. respondent union sent notice to petitioner of its desire to negotiate a new CBA. Labor Secretary assumed jurisdiction over the dispute and. Held: The payment of signing bonus is not covered under the existing benefits. To be considered a regular practice. leaving the following items unresolved: wages. 1999. respondent union accepted petitioner s proposals on fourteen items. 000. due to the bargaining deadlock. petitioner accordingly gave this early signing bonus. 83 Ma. Issue: Whether the signing bonus is covered under the maintenance of existing benefits. that is. respondent union went on strike at the petitioner s plant.. On October 22. there is no evidence on record that petitioner ever offered the same or that the parties included a signing bonus among the items to be resolved in the CBA negotiation. The test or rationale of this rule on long practice requires an indubitable showing that the employer agreed to continue giving the benefits knowing fully well that said employees are not covered by the law requiring payment thereof. Petitioner contested on the awarding of signing bonus. however.00 to each employee as an early conclusion bonus . Petitioner and respondent union began their negotiations.R. 1999. respondent union expressed dissatisfaction at the outcome of the negotiations and declared a deadlock. True. The Court has consistently ruled that a bonus is not a demandable and enforceable obligation. Hence. signing. 149434 Facts: During the collective bargaining negotiations between petitioner and respondent union in 1997. On January 2000. the giving of the bonus should have been done over a long period of time. Respondent does not contest the fact that petitioner initially offered a signing bonus only during the previous CBA negotiation. Upon conclusion of the CBA negotiations. petitioner offered the amount of P4. The conciliation meetings started with eighteen unresolved items between petitioner and respondent union. and must be shown to have been consistent and deliberate. and retroactive bonus. At the meeting. Petitioner and respondent union failed to arrive at an agreement concerning these four remaining items. ordered the striking workers to return to work within twenty-four hours from notice and directed petitioner to accept back the said employees. Austria conducted by BOHLER. the petitioner asked respondent So to sign a memorandum to work for the company for three years. Held: The employer cannot withhold respondent s 13th month pay and other monetary benefits. directly or indirectly. or failed to render an accounting of his employer s property. Article 116 of the Labor Code. an employer cannot simply refuse to pay the wages or benefits of its employee because he has either defaulted in paying a loan guaranteed by his employer. The above provision is clear and needs no further elucidation. petitioner has no legal authority to withhold respondents 13th month pay and other benefits. Inc. Respondents worked for petitioner as assistant manager and salesman. It rewarded So s outstanding sales performance. Issue: WON the employer can withhold its employee s wages and benefits as lien to protect its interest as surety in the car loan and for expenses in the training abroad. Thus. Villareal resigned and joined Hi-Grade Industrial and Technical Products as Executive vice-president. So resigned from the company. intimidation. respondents also demanded payment of their separation benefits. as amended. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . monetary benefits but petitioner refused and withheld the 13th month pay and other benefits. commissions. After 2 years and 4 months.. 84 Ma. Petitioner ordered respondents an accounting of the various Christmas giveaways they received. provides: Withholding of wages and kickbacks prohibited. sale. or violated their memorandum of agreement. Indeed. to withhold any amount from the wages (and benefits) of a worker or induce him to give up any part of his wages by force. his employer must pay. It shall be unlawful for any person.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Special Steel Products vs Villareal (2004) G. is a domestic corporation engaged in the principal business of importation. In January 1997.R. Villareal obtained a car loan from Bank of Commerce with petitioner as surety wherein they are jointly and severally agreed to pay the bank in installment basis. threat or by any other means whatsoever without the worker s consent. and marketing of BOHLER steel products. Respondent So was sponsored by petitioner to attend a training course in Kapfenberg. stealth. What an employee has worked for. 143304 Facts: Special Steel Products. In return. When So returned. the employer must give the employee two written notices and a hearing or opportunity to be heard if requested by the employee before terminating the employment: a notice specifying the grounds for which dismissal is sought a hearing or an opportunity to be heard and after hearing or opportunity to be heard. entitles them benefits. Thus. (2) the dismissal is without just or authorized cause but due process was observed. From the foregoing rules four possible situations may be derived: (1) the dismissal is for a just cause under Article 282 of the Labor Code. or for health reasons under Article 284. as additional income. the employer must give the employee and the Department of Labor and Employment written notices 30 days prior to the effectivity of his separation. In the fourth situation. 158693 Facts: Private respondent Riviera Home Improvements. The Court ruled that respondent is liable for petitioners holiday pay. the 13th month pay is included in the definition of wage under Article 97(f) of the Labor Code. Procedurally.R. (1) if the dismissal is based on a just cause under Article 282. and (4) the dismissal is for just or authorized cause but due process was not observed. While the procedural infirmity cannot be cured. Unfortunately for the private respondent. the employer should be held liable for non-compliance with the procedural requirements of due process. Ma. Private respondent. reinstatement and full back wages are mandated under Article 279. did not follow the notice requirements and instead argued that sending notices to the last known addresses would have been useless because they did not reside there anymore. Held: The dismissal is legal and entitles them of payment of benefits. When the termination of employment is declared illegal. The present case squarely falls under the fourth situation. The dismissal should be upheld because it was established that the petitioners abandoned their jobs to work for another company. The evident intention of Presidential Decree No. Clearly. A termination for an authorized cause requires payment of separation pay. Petitioners then filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and payment of money claims and on December 28. If reinstatement is no longer possible where the dismissal was unjust. is engaged in the business of selling and installing ornamental and construction materials. However. 1999. 1999 when they were dismissed for abandonment of work. Dismissals based on just causes contemplate acts or omissions attributable to the employee while dismissals based on authorized causes involve grounds under the Labor Code which allow the employer to terminate employees. the Labor Arbiter rendered a decision declaring the dismissals illegal and ordered private respondent to pay the monetary claims. (3) the dismissal is without just or authorized cause and there was no due process. for an authorized cause under Article 283. the dismissal should be upheld. it should be held liable for noncompliance with the procedural requirements of due process. It employed petitioners Virgilio Agabon and Jenny Agabon as gypsum board and cornice installers on January 2. this is not a valid excuse because the law mandates the twin notice requirements to the employee s last known address.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Agabon vs NLRC (2004) G. however. a notice of the decision to dismiss. separation pay may be granted. and due process was observed. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 85 . and (2) if the dismissal is based on authorized causes under Articles 283 and 284. 851 is to grant an additional income in the form of the 13th month pay to employees not already receiving the same so as to further protect the level of real wages from the ravages of world-wide inflation. Inc. 1992 until February 23. Issue: WON respondent s dismissal is illegal and if not. it should not invalidate the dismissal. service incentive leave pay and 13th month pay without deductions. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests American Wire & Cable Daily Rated Employees vs American Wire (2005) G. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 35% premium pay of an employee s basic pay for the work rendered during Holy Monday. There are two unions in this company. suddenly and unilaterally withdrew and denied certain benefits and entitlements which they have long enjoyed. It must also be expressly agreed by the employer and employee or it must be on a fixed amount. 27. On 16 February 2001. Nothing in this Book shall be construed to eliminate or in any way diminish supplements.. 100 of the Labor Code. Since all these benefits are in the form of bonuses.R. Holy Tuesday. Held: The company is not guilty of violating Art. Holy Wednesday. 28 and 29. an original action was filed before the NCMB of the Department of Labor and Employment by the two unions for voluntary arbitration. These are Service Award. 86 Ma. A bonus can only be enforceable and demandable if it has ripened into a company practice. 155059 Facts: American Wire and Cable Co. the American Wire and Cable Monthly-Rated Employees Union and the American Wire and Cable Daily-Rated Employees Union. is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of wires and cables. Issue: WON the respondent company violated Article 100 of the Labor Code. Christmas Party and Promotional Increase. 26. It was never incorporated in the CBA. The certain benefits and entitlements are considered bonuses. Inc. They alleged that the private respondent. without valid cause. Article 100 of the Labor Code provides: PROHIBITION AGAINST ELIMINATION OR DIMINUTION OF BENEFITS. The assailed benefits were never subjects of any agreement between the union and the company. December 23. or other employee benefits being enjoyed at the time of promulgation of this Code. it is neither enforceable nor demandable.. This issue was submitted to voluntary arbitration where it ruled that the company s implementation of the pro-rated computation is invalid. with a commitment that in the event that the strike is declared legal. The length of time where it should be considered in practice is not being laid down by jurisprudence. Issue: WON the pro-rated computation of the 13th and 14th month pays and other bonuses in question is valid and lawful.. Held: The pro-rated computation is invalid. DOLE assumed jurisdiction over the case and certified it to the NLRC for compulsory arbitration. Honda continues the practice of granting financial assistance covered every December each year of not less than 100% of the basic salary. vs Samahang Manggagawa sa Honda (2005) G. The voluntary act of the employer cannot be unilaterally withdrawn without violating Article 100 of the Labor Code. Honda shall pay the amount. The amount equivalent to ½ of the employees basic salary shall be deducted from these bonuses. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The respondent union opposed the pro-rated computation of bonuses. The union filed a notice of strike on the ground of unfair labor practice for deadlock. 87 Ma. The payment of the 13th month pay in full month payment by Honda has become an established practice.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Honda Philippines Inc.R. The court also rules that the withdrawal of the benefit of paying a full month salary for 13th month pay shall constitute a violation of Article 100 of the Labor Code. 145561 Facts: The case stems from the collective bargaining agreement between Honda and the respondent union that it granted the computation of 14th month pay as the same as 13th month pay. the parties started to re-negotiate for the fourth and fifth years of the CBA. The pro-rated computation of Honda as a company policy has not ripened into a company practice and it was the first time they implemented such practice. In the latter part of 1998. Honda issued a memorandum of the new computation of the 13th month and 14th month pay to be granted to all its employees whereby the 31 long strikes shall be considered unworked days for purpose of computing the said benefits. The striking employees were ordered to return to work and management to accept them back under the same terms prior to the strike staged. he still retains. embodied in the CBA. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Issue: WON the employees who have retired have no personality to file an action since there is no longer an employer-employee relationship. NLRC reversed the findings and ordered the implementation of the CBA. When an employee has retired but his benefits under the law or CBA have not yet been given.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Producers Bank vs NLRC () 335 SCRA 506 Facts: Petitioner was placed by Central Bank of the Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) under a conservator for the purpose of protecting its assets. be recognized. The Labor Arbiter dismissed the petition. When the respondents ought to implement the CBA (Sec. It must be borne in mind that the retirement scheme was part of the employment package and the benefits to be derived therefrom constituted as it were a continuing consideration of services rendered as well as an effective inducement foe remaining with the corporation. for the purpose of prosecuting his claims. 11) regarding the retirement plan and pertaining to uniform allowance. they were not pleading for generosity but merely demanding that their rights. It is intended to help the employee enjoy the remaining years of his life. the status of an employee entitled to the protection of the Labor Code. one of which is the protection of the labor union. Art. Held: Employees who have retired still have the personality to file a complaint. The private respondent. 88 Ma. When the retired employees were requesting that their retirement benefits be granted. since these must be protected as though there had been no interruption of service. the acting conservator of the petition expressed objection resulting an impasse between the petitioner bank and respondent union. 1. to resolve the issue filed a case against petitioner for unfair labor practice and flagrant violation of the CBA. The very essence of retirement is the termination of employer-employee relationship. Retirement of the employee does not in itself affect his employment status especially when it involves all rights and benefits due to him. Retirement results from a voluntary agreement between the employer and the employee whereby the latter after reaching a certain age agrees to sever his employment with the former. The deadlock continued for at least six months. Under this arrangement. In a dated August 31.R. Issue: WON the deduction for the washing of taxi units is illegal. Nevertheless. petitioners filed with the labor arbiter a complaint against private respondent for unfair labor practice.00 supposedly for the washing of the taxi units. 1992. the petitioners earned an average of P400. Held: The deduction made for the car wash is not illegal. illegal dismissal and illegal deduction of washing fees.00 daily. 119268 Facts: Petitioners were drivers of private respondent. We note that after a tour of duty. it is incumbent upon the driver to restore the unit he has driven to the same clean condition when he took it out. Upon learning about the plan of petitioners. the court views that it is not illegal in the context of the law. private respondent admittedly regularly deducts from petitioners daily earnings the amount of P30.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Jardin vs NLRC (2000) G. Believing that the deduction is illegal. Petitioners suspected that they were singled out because they were the leaders and active members of the proposed union. In Five J Taxi vs. Hence." Petitioners used to drive private respondent s taxicabs every other day on a 24-hour work schedule under the boundary system. Philjama International Inc. Car washing after a tour of duty is indeed a practice in the taxi industry and is in fact dictated by fair play. Aggrieved. petitioners decided to form a labor union to protect their rights and interests. private respondent refused to let petitioners drive their taxicabs when they reported for work on August 6. a domestic corporation engaged in the operation of "Goodman Taxi. and on succeeding days. NLRC. 1991. the labor arbiter dismissed said complaint for lack of merit.. the drivers are not entitled to reimbursement of washing charges. 89 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The provision of the CBA also grants respondent the prerogative to relieve employees from duty because of lack of work. effective April 20. On October 12. Petitioner s argument. deliberately and unconditionally. 1999. 167601 Facts: Petitioner Manila Jockey Club Employees Labor Union-PTGWO and respondent Manila Jockey Club.m. that is. however.m. to 9:00 p. to 5:00 p. Thus. is untenable. petitioner questioned the above office memorandum as violative of the prohibition against non-diminution of wages and benefits guaranteed under Section 1. operate and maintain horse races.m. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .m.m. Petitioner moved for reconsideration but the panel denied the motion. entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) effective January 1. 1999. of the CBA.m.R. supra. a corporation with a legislative franchise to conduct. upheld respondent's prerogative to change the work schedule of regular monthly-paid employees under Section 2. Inc. The overtime pay was not given to each employee consistently. In the CBA. to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Manila Jockey Club Employees Labor Union vs Manila Jockey Club (2007) G. the parties agreed to a 7-hour work schedule from 9:00 a." Respondent was not obliged to allow all its employees to render overtime work everyday for the whole year. therefore. The NCMB s panel of voluntary arbitrators. Issue: WON the respondent violated the non-diminution of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code. the hours of work of regular monthly-paid employees shall be from 1:00 p. Petitioner claimed that as a result of the memorandum. Held: The respondent did not violate the principle of non-diminution of benefits. but as a compensation for additional services rendered. to 5:00 p.m. 2001.m.m. Article IV. of the CBA which specified the work schedule of respondent's employees to be from 9:00 a. The memorandum. on a work week of Monday to Saturday. Subsequently. respondent issued an inter-office memorandum declaring that.. The CBA governed the economic rights and obligations of respondent s regular monthly paid rank-and-file employees. every Tuesday and Thursday. 90 Ma. and clarified that any conflict arising therefrom shall be referred to a voluntary arbitrator for resolution. 1996 to December 31. to 5:00 p. the employees are precluded from rendering their usual overtime work from 5:00 p. On April 3. that the change in work schedule violates Article 100 of the Labor Code because it resulted in the diminution of the benefit enjoyed by regular monthly-paid employees of rendering overtime work with pay. maintained the 9:00 a. Article XI.m. of the CBA does not guarantee overtime work for all the employees but merely provides that "all work performed in excess of seven (7) hours work schedule and on days not included within the work week shall be considered overtime and paid as such. Section 1. 2000. petitioner and respondent entered into an Amended and Supplemental CBA retaining Section 1 of Article IV and Section 2 of Article XI. but only those employees whose services were needed after their regular working hours and only upon the instructions of management. 1999. overtime pay does not fall within the definition of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code on prohibition against elimination or diminution of benefits. Article IV. before a panel of voluntary arbitrators of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). in a decision dated October 18.m. to 8:00 p. when horse races are held. schedule for non-race days. R. vs Layoc Jr. Et al. meal periods (Article 85). 91 Ma. 1993. It is thus clear that. hours worked (Article 84). the Beer Division of the San Miguel Corporation implemented on January 1. in lieu of the overtime pay and the premium pay. the private respondents were required to punch their time cards for purposes of determining the time they would come in and out of the company's work place. overtime work (Article 87).000.00 a month. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .500. this complaint filed for unfair labor practice.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Miguel Corp. (2007) G. violation of Article 100 of the Labor Code of the Philippines.m. The requirement of rendering additional service differentiates overtime pay from benefits such as thirteenth month pay or yearly merit increase.m. the time cards were ordered confiscated and the latter were no longer allowed to render overtime work. Even if petitioners did not institute a "no time card policy. managerial employees such as respondents are not entitled to overtime pay for services rendered in excess of eight hours a day.. without prior consultation with the private respondents." respondents could not demand overtime pay from petitioners if respondents did not render overtime work. Hence. From the commencement of their employment. emergency overtime work (Article 89).. However. They started working as guards with the petitioner San Miguel Corporation assigned to the Beer Division on different dates until such time that they were promoted as supervising security guards. Consequently. and violation of the equal protection clause and due process of law in relation to paragraphs 6 and 8 of Article 32 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines.) were given night shift allowance ranging from P2. Aside from their allegations. on January 16. 1993 a "no time card policy" whereby the Supervisory I and II composing of the supervising security guards of the Beer Division were no longer required to punch their time cards. These benefits do not require any additional service from their beneficiaries. in the early 1990's. night shift differential (Article 86). to 6:00 a. the personnel of the Beer Division of the petitioner San Miguel Corporation affected by the "No Time Card Policy" were given a 10% across-the-board increase on their basic pay while the supervisors who were assigned in the night shift (6:00 p. the private respondents were availing the benefits for overtime. Thus. holiday and night premium duty through time card punching. overtime pay does not fall within the definition of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code.00 to P2. However. respondents were not able to present anything to prove that petitioners were obliged to permit respondents to render overtime work and give them the corresponding overtime pay. Corollary. undertime not offset by overtime (Article 88). the San Miguel Corporation embarked on a Decentralization Program aimed at enabling the separate divisions of the San Miguel Corporation to pursue a more efficient and effective management of their respective operations. 149640 Facts: Respondents were among the "Supervisory Security Guards" of the Beer Division of San Miguel Corporation. Issue: Whether the circumstances in the present case constitute an exception to the rule that supervisory employees are not entitled to overtime pay. As a result of the Decentralization Program. generally. and computation of additional compensation (Article 90). Held: Article 82 of the Labor Code states that the provisions of the Labor Code on working conditions and rest periods shall not apply to managerial employees The other provisions in the Title include normal hours of work (Article 83). Respondents failed to show that the circumstances of the present case constitute an exception to this general rule. provided the transfer does not result in demotion in rank or diminution of the employee s salary. Pontillas (respondent) as a daily wage company guard. benefits. and other privileges. 155178 Facts: On 24 October 1980. San Miguel Corporation (petitioner) employed Angel C. his immediate superior. In a letter dated 28 February 1994. Fortich. among others. respondent filed an action for recovery of damages due to discrimination under Article 100 of the Labor Code of the Philippines (Labor Code). Respondent s transfer was the effect of the integration of the functions of the Mandaue Brewery Materials Management and the Physical Distribution group into a unified logistics organization. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .In a letter dated 7 April 1994. issued a Memorandum ordering. petitioner informed respondent of its decision to terminate him for violating company rules and regulations. An employer may terminate an employment for serious misconduct or willful disobedience by the employee of the lawful orders of his employer or representative in connection with his work. Respondent questioned the rate of salary increase given him by petitioner. and must pertain to the duties which he had been engaged to discharge. against petitioner. In this case. The records show that respondent was not singled out for the transfer. Respondent s persistent refusal to obey petitioner s lawful order amounts to wilful disobedience under Article 282 of the Labor Code. Respondent was properly informed of the transfer but he refused to receive the notices on the pretext that he was wary because of his pending case against petitioner. On 19 October 1993.R. and (2) the order violated must have been reasonable. In 1984. He alleged that he was not properly notified of the transfer and that he did not receive any written order from Capt. There was no demotion involved. Ricardo F. made known to the employee. Respondent failed to prove that petitioner was acting in bad faith in effecting the transfer. petitioner s Vice President and VisMin Operations Center Manager. Respondent continued to report at Oro Verde Warehouse. or even a diminution of his salary. 92 Ma. benefits. particularly for Insubordination or Willful Disobedience in Carrying Out Reasonable Instructions of his superior. petitioner informed respondent that an administrative investigation. On 6 December 1993. lawful. the VisMin Logistics Operations. characterized by a wrongful and perverse attitude. Moreover. Issue: WON respondent s dismissal from employment is legal. Elizagaque (Elizagaque). respondent became a monthly-paid employee which entitled him to yearly increases in salary. and other privileges. Willful disobedience requires the concurrence of two elements: (1) the employee s assailed conduct must have been willful. that is. the transfer of responsibility of the Oro Verde Warehouse to the newly-organized VisMin Logistics Operations effective 1 January 1994. the employer exercises the prerogative to transfer an employee for valid reasons and according to the requirements of its business. as amended. as well as for recovery of salary differential and backwages. we found that the order of transfer was reasonable and lawful considering the integration of Oro Verde Warehouse with VisMin Logistics Operations. Held: Respondent was dismissed for a just cause.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Miguel Corp vs Pontillas (2008) G. vs Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Arco Metal NAFLU (2008) G. Semana. petitioner paid the 13th month pay. et al. et al. 1999. Sometime in December 2003. supported only by an affidavit of its manufacturing group head. we ruled that the employer s act of including non-basic benefits in the computation of the 13th month pay was a voluntary act and had ripened into a company practice which cannot be peremptorily withdrawn. voluntarily and consistently granting full benefits to its employees regardless of the length of service rendered. they filed a complaint before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). which is less than a full twelve (12) months. where an employer had freely and continuously included in the computation of the 13th month pay those items that were expressly excluded by the law. 170734 Facts: Petitioner is a company engaged in the manufacture of metal products. Said mandate in turn is the basis of Article 4 of the Labor Code which states that all doubts in the implementation and interpretation of this Code. the prorated payment violates the rule against diminution of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code. claiming that on several occasions petitioner did not prorate the payment of the same benefits to seven (7) employees who had not served for the full 12 months.. Issue: WON the grant of 13th month pay.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Arco Metal Products Co. discontinued or eliminated by the employer. whereas respondent is the labor union of petitioner s rank and file employees. The principle of non-diminution of benefits is founded on the Constitutional mandate to "protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare and to afford labor full protection. Thus. there were only a total of seven employees who benefited from such a practice. or even as short as two (2) years. Held: Any benefit and supplement being enjoyed by employees cannot be reduced. three (3) years. Jurisprudence has not laid down any rule specifying a minimum number of years within which a company practice must be exercised in order to constitute voluntary company practice.R. Respondent protested the prorated scheme. Thus. it can be six (6) years. we held that the act which was favorable to the employees though not conforming to law had thus ripened into a practice and could not be withdrawn. bonus. consequently. discontinued or eliminated. Inc. diminished. Petitioner cannot shirk away from its responsibility by merely claiming that it was a mistake or an error. and leave encashment in full regardless of actual service rendered constitutes voluntary employer practice and. Thus in DavaoFruits Corporation v.. bonus. 93 Ma. petitioner had adopted a policy of freely. but it was an established practice nonetheless. In the years 1992. diminished. reduced. 1994. True. including its implementing rules and regulations shall be rendered in favor of labor. Associated Labor Unions. 1993. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . In Sevilla Trading Company v. According to respondent. 2002 and 2003. whether or not the prorated payment of the said benefits constitute diminution of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code. and leave encashment of three union members in amounts proportional to the service they actually rendered in a year. Jurisprudence is replete with cases which recognize the right of employees to benefits which were voluntarily given by the employer and which ripened into company practice. with respect to Taroy s claim for refund. as amended. Upon appeal. The amounts representing tollgate fees were deducted from gross revenues and not directly from Taroy s commissions. as contended by Genesis Transport. claiming that he was singled out for termination because of his union activities. Issue: Whether the tollgate fee deductions which resulted to an underpayment given to Taroy is illegal? Held: The deduction is considered illegal. He then filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and payment of service incentive leave pay. Such a computation not only marks a change in the method of payment of wages. the invocation of the rule on company practice is generally used with respect to the grant of additional benefits to employees. the Labor Arbiter ruled in his favor for if. the deduction is considered illegal. He later amended his complaint to implead his co-respondent union and add as grounds unfair labor practice and reimbursement of illegal deductions on tollgate fees. 94 Ma. Besides. It need not be underlined that without Taroy s written consent or authorization. The Labor Arbiter thus concluded that it would appear that the tollgate fees are deducted from the gross revenues and not from the salaries of drivers and conductors. tollgate fees form part of overhead expense. terminated from employment after an accident on April 20. why were not expenses for fuel and maintenance also charged to overhead expense. vs UMM Genesis Transport (2010) G. and payment of service incentive leave pay.R.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Genesis Transport Service et al.. the labor tribunal and the appellate court correctly held that the withholding of those amounts reduced the amount from which Taroy s 9% commission would be computed. other drivers who had met accidents not having been dismissed from employment. not on issues involving diminution of benefits. resulting in a diminution of Taroy s wages in violation of Article 113 vis-à-vis Article 100 of the Labor Code. He. 2002 where he was deemed to have been driving recklessly. after due notice and hearing. but certainly the deduction thereof diminishes the take home pay of the employees. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 182114 Facts: Respondent Juan Taroy was hired by petitioner Genesis Transport as driver on commission basis at 9% of the gross revenue per trip. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 95 Ma. 00 per 'bariles' per movement herein complainants get the intestines and liver of the tuna as part of their salary. With respect to their monetary claims. 96 Ma. 13th month pay. private respondents charged petitioner with violation of the minimum wage law. coupons. Act Nos.00 per tuna per movement BUT the intestines and liver of the tuna delivered shall go to the herein complainants. they were informed that they had been replaced by a new set of workers. That for every tuna delivered. tokens.00 to P20. Forms of Payment. or is necessary because as specified in appropriate regulations to be issued by the Secretary of Labor or as stipulated in a collective bargaining agreement. During the first week of June 1990. What they are after. petitioner admits that the P1. and five (5)-day service incentive leave pay.00/kilo. rest day pay." Undoubtedly. alleging that with petitioner's rates and the scarcity of tuna catches. or any object other than legal tender. It should be noted that tuna intestines and liver are easily disposed of in any public market. private respondents' average monthly earnings each did not exceed ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1. Issue: WON the means of payment of the wage is valid. petitioner notified his workers of his proposal to reduce the rate-per-tuna movement due to the scarcity of tuna. in truth and in fact is the tuna intestines and liver which they can easily convert into cash. No employer shall pay the wages of an employee by means of. and for constructive dismissal.000. private respondents filed a case against petitioner before the NLRC for underpayment of wages (non-compliance with Rep. petitioner's practice of paying the private respondents the minimum wage by means of legal tender combined with tuna liver and intestines runs counter to the above cited provision of the Labor Code. chits. promissory notes vouchers. The Labor Code expressly provides: "Article 102. even when expressly requested by the employee. Private respondents resisted petitioner's proposed rate reduction. That the minimum prevailing price of tuna intestine and liver in 1986 to 1990 range from P15. On June 1990. They worked seven (7) days a week. They were uniformly paid at a rate of P1. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . herein complainants extract at least three (3) kilos of intestines and liver. Payment of wages by check or money order shall be allowed when such manner of payment is customary on the date of effectivity of this Code. tickets.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Congson vs NLRC (1995) 243 SCRA 260 Facts: Private respondents were hired on various dates 3 by petitioner as regular piece-rate workers. holiday pay. 6640 and 6727) and non-payment of overtime pay. Petitioner further admits that private respondents were entitled to retrieve the tuna intestines and liver as part of their compensation.00 per tuna weighing thirty (30) to eighty (80) kilos per movement. In addition to the amount of P1.00). When they reported for work the next day. Held: The means of payment of wage is invalid. The value of the tuna intestine and liver should be computed in arriving at the daily wage of herein complainants because the very essence of the agreement between complainants and respondent is: complainants shall be paid only P1.00-per-tuna movement is the actual wage rate applied to private respondents as expressly agreed upon by both parties." Quite clearly. 97 Ma. is when the circumstances prescribed in the second paragraph of Article 102 are present. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . does not shield petitioner. by checks or money order. The only instance when an employer is permitted to pay wages in forms other than legal tender. Article 102 of the Labor Code is clear. Wages shall be paid only by means of legal tender.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests The fact that said method of paying the minimum wage was not only agreed upon by both parties in the employment agreement but even expressly requested by private respondents. that is. it was found out that petitioners had violated labor standards law. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . epidemic or other calamity rendering payment thereat impossible. computed on their basic monthly pay. When it ceased operations. 1992.(a) As a general rule. Section 4. etc. Davao del Norte.022.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests North Davao Mining vs NLRC (1996) 254 SCRA 721 Facts: Respondent Wilfredo Guillema is one among several employees of North Davao who were separated by reason of the company s closure on May 31. some 58 kilometers from their workplace and about 2 ½hours travel time by public transportation.. 1992.31. would justify the granting of backwages equivalent to 2 days in a month. (2) When the employer provides free transportation to the employees back and forth. a complaint was filed with respondent labor arbiter by respondent Wilfredo Guillema and 271 other seperated employees for additional separation pay. the place of payment shall be at or near the place of undertaking. for each of the five years prior to its closure.5 days pay for every year of service. provided that the time spent by the employees in collecting their wages shall be considered as compensable hours worked. Considering further the distance between Amacan. the employees had to collect their salaries at a bank in Tagum. its total liabilities had exceeded its assets by 20. 98 Ma. Records also show that on February 12. flood. its remaining employees were separated and given the equivalent of 12. Held: Hours spent by complainants in collecting salaries shall be considered compensable hours worked. However. or by reason of actual or impending emergencies caused by fire.1992. Rule VIII. petitioner NDMC maintained its policy of paying its workers at a bank in Tagum. one of which is the place of payment of wages. when an inspection was conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment at the premises of petitioner NDMC at Amacan. Payment in a place other than the workplace shall be permissible only under the following circumstances: (1) When payment cannot be effected at or near the place of work by reason of the deterioration of peace and order conditions. North Davao suffered net losses averaging three billion pesos per year. from the beginning of its operations in 1981 until its closure in 1992. All told five months prior to its closure. this arrangement lasted from 1981 up to 1990. Davao del Norte. Maco to Tagum which is 2½ hours by travel and the risks in commuting all the time in collecting complainants salaries. amounting to P58. during the life of the petitioner corporation. petitioner North Davao completely ceased operations due to serious business reverses. Davao del Norte. . it appears that. which usually took the workers about two and a half (2 1/2) hours of travel from the place of work and such travel time is not official.392 billion pesos. From 1988 until its closure in 1992. hazard pay. transportation allowance. in addition to the commutation to cash of their unused vacation and sick leaves. On May 31. Book III of the Omnibus Rules Implementing the Labor Code provides that: Place of payment.878. Subsequently. from the time of its operations. and (3) Under any analogous circumstances. It is undisputed that because of security reasons. Maco. back wages. Issue: WON the time spent in collecting wages in a place other than the place of employment is compensable notwithstanding that the same is done during official time. Moreover. it had been giving separation pay equivalent to thirty days pay for every year of service. and who were the complainants in the cases before the respondent labor arbiter. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 99 Ma. in which case they shall be entitled to an additional compensation of at least thirty per cent (30%) of their regular wage for work on the sixth day. paramedical technicians. All provisions of existing laws. Held: The policy instruction is not valid. pharmacists. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 100 . nutritionists. social workers.000) or in hospitals and clinics with a bed capacity of at least one hundred (100) shall hold regular office hours for eight (8) hours a day. and (2) where the exigencies of service require that health personnel work for Ma. psychologists. 1974. A cursory reading of Article 83 of the Labor Code betrays petitioners position that hospital employees are entitled to a full weekly salary with paid two (2) days off if they have completed the 40-hour/5-day workweek .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Juan de Dios Hospital vs NLRC (1997) 282 SCRA 316 Facts: Petitioners. 54 dated April 12. Article 83 of the Labor Code states: Normal Hours of Work. decrees. for five (5) days a week. Issue: Whether Policy Instructions No. Reliance on Republic Act No. What Article 83 merely provides are: (1) the regular office hour of eight hours a day. 5901 may support Policy Instructions No. petitioners filed a complaint regarding their claims for statutory benefits under the above-cited law and policy issuance. except where the exigencies of the service require that such personnel work for six (6) days or forty-eight (48) hours. exclusive of time for meals. nurses. Respondent hospital failed to give a favorable response. Petitioners appealed before public respondent National Labor Relations Commission which affirmed the Labor Arbiter s decision. the Labor Arbiter dismissed the complaint. the rank-and-file employee-union officers and members of San Juan De Dios Hospital Employees Association sent a four (4)-page letter with attached support signatures requesting and pleading for the expeditious implementation and payment by respondent Juan De Dios Hospital of the 40 HOURS/5-DAY WORKWEEK with compensable weekly two (2) days off provided for by Republic Act 5901 as clarified for enforcement by the Secretary of Labor s Policy Instructions No. Drilon is valid or not. attendants and all other hospital or clinic personnel. only Article 83 of the Labor Code which appears to have substantially incorporated or reproduced the basic provisions of Republic Act No. 54 on which the latter s validity may be gauged. health personnel shall include: resident physicians. This issuance clarifies the enforcement policy of this Department on the working hours and compensation of personnel employed by hospital/clinics with a bed capacity of 100 or more and those located in cities and municipalities with a population of one million or more. 54 issued by then Labor Secretary (now Senator) Franklin M. dietitians. Accordingly. laboratory technicians.The normal hours of work of any employee shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day. five days per week for health personnel. midwives. orders. 1988. On February 26. Health personnel in cities and municipalities with a population of at least one million (1. 5901 has long been repealed with the passage of the Labor Code on May 1. 1992.000. For purposes of this Article. -. Article 302 of which explicitly provide: All labor laws not adopted as part of this Code either directly or by reference are hereby repealed. thus. rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are likewise repealed. Needless to say. There is nothing in the law that supports then Secretary of Labor s assertion that personnel in subject hospitals and clinics are entitled to a full weekly wage for seven (7) days if they have completed the 40-hour/5-day workweek in any given workweek .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests six days or forty-eight hours then such health personnel shall be entitled to an additional compensation of at least thirty percent of their regular wage for work on the sixth day. Administrative interpretation of the law is at best merely advisory. and the Court will not hesitate to strike down an administrative interpretation that deviates from the provision of the statute. the Secretary of Labor exceeded his authority by including a two days off with pay in contravention of the clear mandate of the statute. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 101 Ma. Besides.m. 11:45 P.. the employees could be called upon to do jobs during that period as they were on call. Coffee break time will be ten minutes only anytime between: 9:30 A. With the new work schedule. discrimination and evasion of liability pursuant to the resolution of this Court the Labor Arbiter dismissed the complaint on the ground that the change in the work schedule and the elimination of the 30-minute paid lunch break of the factory workers constituted a valid exercise of management prerogative and that the new work schedule. break time and one-hour lunch break did not have the effect of diminishing the benefits granted to factory workers as the working time did not exceed eight (8) hours.M. a change in work schedule effective 14 September 1992 thus 7:45 A. The right to fix the work schedules of the employees rests principally on their employer.M. The Court agrees with the Labor Arbiter that the new work schedule fully complies with the daily work period of eight (8) hours without violating the Labor Code. 10:30 A. Since private respondent felt affected adversely by the change in the work schedule and discontinuance of the 30-minute paid on call lunch break. It rationalizes that while the old work schedule included a 30-minute paid lunch break. Issue: WON the act of management in revising the work schedule of its employees and discarding their paid lunch break constitutive of unfair labor practice. except those in the Warehouse and Quality Assurance Department working on shifts.M.M. the employees are now given a one-hour lunch break without any interruption from their employer. (Mon to Fri). and 2:30 P. the employees can freely and effectively use this hour not only for eating but also for their rest and comfort which are conducive to more efficiency and better performance in their work. cites as reason for the adjustment the efficient conduct of its business operations and its improved production.m. On 14 August 1992 petitioner issued a memorandum to all factory-based employees advising all its monthly salaried employees in its Marikina Tire Plant. Even if denominated as lunch break.M. For a full one-hour undisturbed lunch break. In the instant case petitioner. with a 30 minute paid on call lunch break. (Sat).M. Since the employees are no longer required to work during this onehour lunch break.M.M. 3:30 P. as the employer. 4:45 P. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the new schedule applies to all employees in the factory similarly situated whether they are union members or not. (Mon to Fri) 7:45 A. Their work and break time schedules will be maintained as it is now. to 3:45 p. Lunch break will be between: 12:00 NN 1:00 P. 102 Ma. all company factory workers in Marikina including members of private respondent union worked from 7:45 a. it filed on behalf of its members a complaint with the Labor Arbiter for unfair labor practice. vs NLRC (1998) 289 SCRA 86 Facts: Prior to the present controversy. Excluded from the above schedule are the Warehouse and QA employees who are on shifting. this period could very well be considered as working time because the factory employees were required to work if necessary and were paid accordingly for working.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Sime Darby Pilipinas Inc. there is no more need for them to be compensated for this period.M. Held: The revision of work schedule is a management prerogative and does not amount to unfair labor practice in discarding the paid lunch break. Merlino Eusebio. laboratory technicians. The Chief Flight Surgeon required private respondent to explain why no disciplinary sanction should be taken against him. On February 17. Mr. 1994. that he immediately left his residence upon being informed by Mr. Mr. which was about five-minute drive away. The patient arrived at the clinic at 7:50 in the evening and Mr. the clinic received an emergency call from the PAL Cargo Services. Eusebio panicked and brought the patient to the hospital without waiting for him. health personnel shall include: resident physicians. nutritionists. he returned to the clinic at 7:51 in the evening upon being informed of the emergency. at around 7:00 in the evening. dieticians. In his explanation. Eusebio had already left with the patient. Manuel Acosta. for five (5) days a week. that Mr. For purposes of this Article. Eusebio about the emergency and he arrived at the clinic a few minutes later. Mr. Banzon ordered the Chief Flight Surgeon to conduct an investigation. PAL Medical Director Dr. A few minutes later. midwives. 85. private respondent reiterated the assertions in his previous explanation. pharmacists. He was given ten days to submit a written answer to the administrative charge. Art. attendants and all other hospital or clinic personnel. He was assigned at the PAL Medical Clinic at Nichols and was on duty from 4:00 in the afternoon until 12:00 midnight.000. nurses. Meal periods. Issue: WON being a full-time employee is obliged to stay in the company premises for not less than eight (8) hours. Eusebio immediately rushed him to the hospital.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Philippine Airlines vs NLRC (1999) 302 SCRA 582 Facts: Private respondent was employed as flight surgeon at petitioner company. Articles 83 and 85 of the Labor Code read: Normal hours of work The normal hours of work of any employee shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day. Finding private respondent s explanation unacceptable. Godofredo B. He further denied that he abandoned his post on February 17. social workers. When private respondent reached the clinic at around 7:51 in the evening. Subject to such regulations as the Secretary of Labor may prescribe. One of its employees. Mr. Upon learning about the incident. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . exclusive of time for meals. paramedical technicians. Health personnel in cities and municipalities with a population of at least one million (1. private respondent left the clinic to have his dinner at his residence. Acosta died the following day. psychologists. In fact. had suffered a heart attack. except where the exigencies of the service require that such personnel work for six (6) days or forty-eight (48) hours. The nurse on duty. in which case they shall be entitled to an additional compensation of at least thirty per cent (30%) of their regular wage for work on the sixth day. In his answer. He said that he only left the clinic to have his dinner at home. Held: Employees are not prohibited from going out of the premises as long as they return to their posts on time. private respondent asserted that he was entitled to a thirty-minute meal break. 1994.000) or in hospitals and clinics with a bed capacity of at least one hundred (100) shall hold regular office hours for eight (8) hours a day. 103 Ma. it shall be the duty of every employer to give his employees not less than sixty (60) minutes time-off for their regular meals. called private respondent at home to inform him of the emergency. the management charged private respondent with abandonment of post while on duty. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . (c) In cases of actual or impending emergencies or there is urgent work to be performed on machineries. Thus. regardless of sex. Meal and Rest Periods. equipment or installations to avoid serious loss which the employer would otherwise suffer. Book III of the Omnibus Rules Implementing the Labor Code further states: Sec.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Section 7. the eight-hour work period does not include the meal break. Every employer shall give his employees. not less than one (1) hour time-off for regular meals. (b) Where the establishment regularly operates not less than sixteen hours a day. except in the following cases when a meal period of not less than twenty (20) minutes may be given by the employer provided that such shorter meal period is credited as compensable hours worked of the employee. Private respondent s act of going home to take his dinner does not constitute abandonment. Rest periods or coffee breaks running from five (5) to twenty (20) minutes shall be considered as compensable working time. Rule I. 104 Ma. and (d) Where the work is necessary to prevent serious loss of perishable goods. (a) Where the work is non-manual work in nature or does not involve strenuous physical exertion. Nowhere in the law may it be inferred that employees must take their meals within the company premises. 7. Employees are not prohibited from going out of the premises as long as they return to their posts on time. R. The Bureau of Working Conditions of the DOLE. Management prerogative must be exercised in good faith and with due regard to the rights of labor. Linton issued another memorandum informing them that effective 12 January 1998. 163147 Facts: On 17 December 1997.. management has the prerogative to come up with measures to ensure profitability or loss minimization. such privilege is not absolute. Held: The compressed workweek arrangement was unjustified and illegal.. 105 Ma. moreover. Linton proceeded with the implementation of the new policy without waiting for its approval by DOLE. in determining the validity of reduction of working hours that the company was suffering from losses.e. As previously stated. (2) the losses are actual or reasonably imminent.. Linton failed to comply with these standards. released a bulletin providing for in determining when an employer can validly reduce the regular number of working days. such as when there is a substantial slump in the demand for his goods or services or when there is lack of raw materials. If the standards set in determining the justifiability of financial losses under Article 283 (i. if already incurred. Linton submitted an establishment termination report to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding the temporary closure of the establishment covering the said period. Aggrieved. On the other hand. suspension of work) of the Labor Code were to be considered. are proven by sufficient and convincing evidence. In other words.. However. On 7 January 1997. Records show that Linton continued its business operations during the effectivity of the compressed workweek. to date. sixty-eight (68) workers (workers) filed a Complaint for illegal reduction of workdays. and (4) the alleged losses. which spanned more than the maximum period. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . for retrenchment to be justified.e. Issue: WON there was an illegal reduction of work when Linton implemented a compressed workweek by reducing from six to three the number of working days with the employees working on a rotation basis. petitioners would end up failing to meet the standards. or the expected imminent losses sought to be forestalled. Linton issued a memorandum addressed to its employees informing them of the company's decision to suspend its operations from 18 December 1997 to 5 January 1998 due to the currency crisis that affected its business operations. Linton submitted an establishment termination report concerning the rotation of its workers. it would implement a new compressed workweek of three (3) days on a rotation basis. (3) the retrenchment is reasonably necessary and is likely to be effective in preventing the expected losses. Although the bulletin stands more as a set of directory guidelines than a binding set of implementing rules. However. On the one hand. each worker would be working on a rotation basis for three working days only instead for six days a week. consistent with the ruling in Philippine Graphic Arts Inc. it has one main consideration. no definite guidelines have yet been set to determine whether the alleged losses are sufficient to justify the reduction of work hours. Certainly. any claim of actual or potential business losses must satisfy the following standards: (1) the losses incurred are substantial and not de minimis. On the same day.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Linton Commercial Co. retrenchment) or Article 286 (i. The company's operation was to resume on 6 January 1998. Article 286 applies only when there is a bona fide suspension of the employer's operation of a business or undertaking for a period not exceeding six (6) months. financial losses must be shown before a company can validly opt to reduce the work hours of its employees. vs Hellera (2007) G. The said bulletin states that a reduction of the number of regular working days is valid where the arrangement is resorted to by the employer to prevent serious losses due to causes beyond his control. such employee shall be entitled to overtime pay. 5. 21. Notably.) No. As provided in the MOA.m. Appropriate waivers with respect to overtime premium pay for work performed in excess of eight (8) hours a day may be devised by the parties to the agreement. 21. 8:00a. to 6:12p. 2. Guidelines on the Implementation of Compressed Workweek.O. and no overtime pay shall be due and payable to the employee for work rendered during those hours. Held: The MOA is enforceable and binding against the petitioner. to protect the interest of the employees in the implementation of a compressed workweek scheme: 1. 3.m. Tryco informed the Bureau of Working Conditions of the Department of Labor and Employment of the implementation of a compressed workweek in the company. from Monday to Friday considering that the compressed workweek schedule is adopted in lieu of the regular workweek schedule which also consists of 46 hours.m.O. from Monday to Friday. Where it is shown that the person making the waiver did so voluntarily. with full understanding of what he was doing. should an employee be permitted or required to work beyond 6:12p. Series of 1990. and the consideration for the quitclaim is credible and reasonable. The effectivity and implementation of the new working time arrangement shall be by agreement of the parties. There will not be any diminution whatsoever in the weekly or monthly take-home pay and fringe benefits of the employees. The MOA specifically stated that the employee waives the right to overtime pay for work rendered after 5p. 106 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the transaction must be recognized as a valid and binding undertaking.. The MOA was entered into pursuant to Department of Labor and Employment Department Order (D. In January 1997. providing for a compressed workweek schedule to be implemented in the company effective May 20. However. Considering that the MOA clearly states that the employee waives the payment of overtime pay in exchange of a five-day workweek. If an employee is permitted or required to work in excess of his normal weekly hours of work prior to the adoption of the compressed workweek scheme. The employees voluntarily agree to work more than eight (8) hours a day the total in a week of which shall not exceed their normal weekly hours of work prior to adoption of the compressed workweek arrangement. 151309 Facts: Tryco and the petitioners signed separate Memoranda of Agreement (MOA). shall be considered as the regular working hours. all such excess hours shall be considered overtime work and shall be compensated in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code or applicable CBA.m. until 6:12p. 4.R.m. there is no room for interpretation and its terms should be implemented as they are written. No. Issue: WON the MOA providing for compressed workweek is unenforceable as it is contrary to law. the MOA complied with the following conditions set by the DOLE.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Bisig Manggagawa sa Tryco vs NLRC (2008) G.. 1996. under D. BMT and Tryco negotiated for the renewal of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) but failed to arrive at a new agreement. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 107 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 1986. However. Issue: WON sales personnel are excluded in the payment of holiday pay.m. even if they report to the office before 8:00 a. the respondent arbitrator refused to take cognizance of the case reasoning that he had no more jurisdiction to continue as arbitrator because he had resigned from service effective May 1. the requirement that "actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty" must be read in conjunction with Rule IV. Held: Field personnel are not entitled to holiday pay. (5) minimal market returns and (6) proper truck maintenance. Hence. Jr. Inc. Moreover. Under Article 82. prior to field work and come back at 4:30 p. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . (4) good merchandising work. (now Nestle Philippines." The law requires that the actual hours of work in the field be reasonably ascertained. Arbitrator Vivar rendered a decision directing Filipro to pay its monthly paid employees holiday pay pursuant to Article 94 of the Code. Coverage. These employees are evaluated by the result of their work and not by the actual hours of field work which are hardly susceptible to determination.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Union Filipro Employees vs Vivar (1992) 205 SCRA 203 Facts: Respondent Filipro. This rule shall apply to all employees except: (e) Field personnel and other employees whose time and performance is unsupervised by the employer The clause "whose time and performance is unsupervised by the employer" did not amplify but merely interpreted and expounded the clause "whose actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. in deciding whether or not an employee's actual working hours in the field can be determined with reasonable certainty. The criteria indicate that these sales personnel are given incentive bonuses precisely because of the difficulty in measuring their actual hours of field work. Book III of the Implementing Rules which provides: "Rule IV Holidays with Pay. subject only to the exclusions and limitations specified in Article 82 and such other legal restrictions as are provided for in the Code. The criteria for granting incentive bonus are: (1) attaining or exceeding sales volume based on sales target. query must be made as to whether or not such employee's time and performance is constantly supervised by the employer. (3) proper compliance with good market hygiene.m. Said article defines field personnel as "nonagricultural employees who regularly perform their duties away from the principal place of business or branch office of the employer and whose actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. (2) good collection performance. 108 Ma.) filed with the National Labor Relations Commission a petition for declaratory relief seeking a ruling on its rights and obligations respecting claims of its monthly paid employees for holiday pay. SECTION 1. as voluntary arbitrator. Both Filipro and the Union of Filipro Employees (UFE) agreed to submit the case for voluntary arbitration and appointed respondent Benigno Vivar.. really spend the hours in between in actual field work. Inc." The former clause is still within the scope and purview of Article 82 which defines field personnel. field personnel are not entitled to holiday pay. The company has no way of determining whether or not these sales personnel. He works away from his employer's place of business. Democratic Labor Organization." 109 Ma. and his employer has no way of knowing the number of hours he works per day. In lieu of overtime he ordinarily receives commissions as extra compensation. Inc. Such a salesman. to a greater extent. There are no restrictions respecting the time he shall work and he can earn as much or as little. as his ambition dictates.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests In San Miguel Brewery. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . within the range of his ability. It states that : "The reasons for excluding an outside salesman are fairly apparent. is not subject to the personal supervision of his employer. works individually. v. the Court had occasion to discuss the nature of the job of a salesman. which reads: 'Managerial employee' is one who is vested with powers or prerogatives to lay down and execute management policies and/or to hire. General Services Supervisor. Held: The members of the union are not entitled to overtime. Instrumentation Supervisor. rest day and holiday pay. rest and holiday pay since they fall within the classification of managerial employees which makes them a part of the exempted employees. recall. but not to government employees. Book V of the Labor Code on Labor Relations. Shift Operations Chemist. It is not disputed that the members of respondent union are supervisory employees. training and working conditions and relative worth of the job. transfer. are to be considered as officers or members of the managerial staff who are exempt from the coverage of Article 82 of the Labor Code. Two years after the implementation of the JE Program. Issue: WON the members of respondent union are entitled to overtime. Sugar Accountant. Property Warehouse Supervisor. All employees not falling within any of those above definitions are considered rank-and-file employees of this Book. Employment and Training Supervisor. On June 1. and recognize both wage and operational structures. Shift Boiler Supervisor. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . It must of necessity be ascertained first whether or not the union members. Day Maintenance Supervisor and Motorpool Supervisor. Junior Financial/Budget Analyst. Shift Process Supervisor. members of the family of the employer who are dependent on him for support. As a result. 110 Ma. assign or discipline employees. petitioner implemented a Job Evaluation (JE) Program affecting all employees. discharged. from rankand-file to department heads which was designed to rationalized the duties and functions of all positions. Community Development Officer. the Technical Assistant to the Refinery Operations Manager.. Assistant Safety and Security Officer. Cost Accountant. Shift Electrical Supervisor. Jobs were ranked according to effort. Head and Personnel Services. specifically on June 20. Shift Sugar Warehouse Supervisor. field personnel.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests National Sugar Refinery Corp vs NLRC (1993) 220 SCRA 452 Facts: Private respondent union represents the former supervisors of the NASUREFCO Batangas Sugar Refinery. rest day and holiday pay allegedly in violation of Article 100 of the Labor Code. General Accountant. as defined under Article 212(m). and all employees including the members of respondent union were granted salary adjustments and increases in benefits commensurate to their actual duties and functions. Supervisory employees are those who. managerial employees. domestic helpers. Head of Inventory Control Section. Head Nurse. in the interest of the employer effectively recommend such managerial actions if the exercise of such authority is not merely routinary or clerical in nature but requires the use of independent judgment. as defined employees. and workers who are paid by results as determined by the Secretary of Labor in Appropriate regulations. 1988. the members of herein respondent union filed a complainant with the executive labor arbiter for non-payment of overtime. responsibility. namely. Senior Financial/Budget Analyst." Article 82 of the Labor Code states: The provisions of this title shall apply to employees in all establishments and undertakings whether for profit or not. as supervisory employees. suspend. all positions were re-evaluated. persons in the personal service of another. lay-off. reestablish levels of responsibility. 1990. staffing. or (iii) execute under general supervision special assignments and tasks. rest day and supervisory employees under Article 212 (m) should be made to apply only to the provisions on Labor Relations. and to other officers or members of the managerial staff. The union members will readily show that these supervisory employees are under the direct supervision of their respective department superintendents and that generally they assist the latter in planning. (c) Officers or members of a managerial staff if they perform the following duties and responsibilities: (1) The primary duty consists of the performance of work directly related to management policies of their employer. (2) Customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment. Rule I Book III of the implementing rules. In terms of working conditions and rest periods and entitlement to the questioned benefits. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . or (ii) execute under general supervision work along specialized or technical lines requiring special training. (2).University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests As used herein. they are not entitled to overtime. (3) (i) Regularly and directly assist a proprietor or a managerial employee whose primary duty consists of the management of the establishment in which he is employed or subdivision thereof. and above. their duties and functions include. In other words. namely: (1) Their primary duty consists of the management of the establishment in which they are employed or of a department or subdivision thereof: (2) They customarily and regularly direct the work of two or more employees therein: (3) They have the authority to hire or fire other employees of lower rank. if they meet all of the following conditions. directing. the union members are supervisory employees. hence. among others." They are clearly officers or members of the managerial staff because they meet all the conditions prescribed by law and. as contemplated under Article 82 of the Code and Section 2. certification elections. More specifically. Exemption. or knowledge. and so forth. hence they are not entitled thereto. while the right of said employees to the questioned benefits should be considered in the light of the meaning of a managerial employee and of the officers or members of the managerial staff. they are officers or members of the managerial staff. These supervisory employees are likewise responsible for the effective and efficient operation of their respective departments. organizing. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the following persons if they qualify for exemption under the condition set forth herein: (b) Managerial employees. for purposes of forming and joining unions. 'managerial employees' refer to those whose primary duty consists of the management of the establishment in which they are employed or of a department or subdivision thereof. or their suggestions and recommendations as to the hiring and firing and as to the promotion or any other change of status of other employees are given particular weight. controlling communicating and in making decisions in attaining the company's set goals and objectives. 2. the following operations whereby the employee: 1) assists the department superintendent in the following: 111 Ma. Sec. (4) Who do not devote more 20 percent of their hours worked in a work-week to activities which are not directly and closely related to the performance of the work described in paragraphs (1). however. experience. collective bargaining. quality of service and working conditions. and (6) they do not devote more than 20% of their hours worked in a work-week to activities which are not directly and clearly related to the performance of their work hereinbefore described. exempt from the coverage of Article 82. 3) trains and guides subordinates on how to assume responsibilities and become more productive. work along specialized or technical lines requiring special training. d) attaining the company's set goals and objectives by giving his full support. and f) preparing annual departmental budget. therefore. 6) coordinates and communicates with other inter and intra department supervisors when necessary. which includes employee shifting scheduled and manning complement. From the foregoing. and initiates and prepares reports for any observed abnormality within the refinery.: (1) their primary duty consists of the performance of work directly related to management policies of their employer. 4) conducts semi-annual performance evaluation of his subordinates and recommends necessary action for their development/advancement. 112 Ma. follows and implements company policies at all times and recommends disciplinary action on erring subordinates. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . or knowledge. experience. 5) represents the superintendent or the department when appointed and authorized by the former. as defined in Section 2. 9) sees to it that safety rules and regulations and procedure and are implemented and followed by all NASUREFCO employees. 10) supervises the activities of all personnel under him and goes to it that instructions to subordinates are properly implemented. The Court is constrained to agree with petitioner that the union members should be considered as officers and members of the managerial staff and are. under general supervision. equipment performance.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests a) planning of systems and procedures relative to department activities. b) organizing and scheduling of work activities of the department. e) selecting the appropriate man to handle the job in the department. c) decision making by providing relevant information data and other inputs. special assignments and tasks. Rule I Book III of the aforestated Rules to Implement the Labor Code. (2) they customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment. and 11) performs other related tasks as may be assigned by his immediate superior. it is apparent that the members of respondent union discharge duties and responsibilities which ineluctably qualify them as officers or members of the managerial staff. (3) they regularly and directly assist the managerial employee whose primary duty consist of the management of a department of the establishment in which they are employed (4) they execute. recommends revisions or modifications to said rules when deemed necessary. Under the facts obtaining in this case. 8) recommends measures to improve work methods. under general supervision. 2) observes. 7) recommends disciplinary actions/promotions. viz. (5) they execute. profit-sharing and separation pay with the NLRC-NCR Arbitration Branch. 94 and 95 of the Labor Code and the exemptions thereto. service incentive leave pay. 87. Petitioner admitted that his job was to supervise the laborers in the construction project. petitioner would also receive a share in the profits after completion of the project and that petitioner's services in excess of eight (8) hours on regular days and services rendered on weekends and legal holidays shall be compensable overtime at the rate of P27. Art. Held: The petitioner is not entitled to separation pay. Nestor A. and (4) who do not devote more than 20 percent of their hours worked in a work-week to activities which are not directly and closely related to the performance of the work described in paragraphs (1). and (3) above. or [ii] execute under general supervision work along specialized or technical lines requiring special training. Manila. or knowledge. non-payment of wages. petitioner filed a complaint against private respondent for illegal dismissal. 2(c) of the abovementioned implementing rules: SECTION 2. (2). although petitioner cannot strictly be classified as a managerial employee under Art. 2(b). Quezon City. However. or [iii] execute under general supervision special assignments and tasks. The provisions of this Rule shall not apply to the following persons if they qualify for exemption under the condition set forth herein: (c) Officers or members of a managerial staff if they perform the following duties and responsibilities: (1) The primary duty consists of the performance of work directly related to management policies of their employer. Engr. 93. petitioner is clearly exempted there from. allowances. 113 Ma. nonetheless he is still not entitled to payment of the aforestated benefits because he falls squarely under another exempt category "officers or members of a managerial staff" as defined under sec. The petitioner was paid overtime benefits does not automatically and necessarily denote that petitioner is entitled to such benefits. unfair labor practice. Hence. experience. petitioner received a memorandum issued by private respondent's project manager. 82 of the Labor Code. (3) [i] Regularly and directly assist a proprietor or a managerial employee whose primary duty consists of the management of the establishment in which he is employed or subdivision thereof. under the law. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Rule 1. 82 of the Labor Code specifically delineates who are entitled to the overtime premiums and service incentive leave pay provided under Art. Book III of the Omnibus Rules Implementing the Labor Code. Delantar informing him of the termination of his services effective on 30 April 1991.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Salazar vs NLRC (1996) 256 SCRA 273 Facts: On April 1990. and sec. (2) Customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment. As previously determined petitioner falls under the exemptions and therefore has no legal claim to the said benefits. illegal deduction. Exemption. commission. It is well and good that petitioner was compensated for his overtime services. private respondent employed petitioner as construction/project engineer for the construction of the Monte de Piedad building in Cubao. overtime rendered. Allegedly. On 16 April 1991. this does not translate into a right on the part of petitioner to demand additional payment when.85 per hour. On 13 September 1991. Issue: WON petitioner is entitled to separation pay. by virtue of an oral contract. as to the nature of petitioners' tasks were necessary or desirable in the usual business of private respondents. As mentioned earlier. or those who are paid a fixed amount for performing work irrespective of the time consumed in the performance thereof. holiday pay. Thus. petitioners as piece-rate workers do not fall within this group. "field personnel and other employees whose time and performance is unsupervised by the employer. Violation of the Memorandum of Agreement dated October 23. likewise did petitioners toil throughout the year with the fulfillment of their quota as supposed basis for compensation. 6727. 1990." the status and nature of their employment was that of regular employees. In an Order dated October 24. petitioners through LCP President Navarro submitted to private respondents a proposal for collective bargaining. No. On November 1990. piece workers are specifically mentioned as being entitled to holiday pay." Plainly. purely commission basis.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Labor Congress of the Philippines vs NLRC (1998) G. 114 Ma. petitioners worked for private respondents throughout the year. holiday pay. Rule IV. threats. while petitioners' mode of compensation was on a "per piece basis. The Rules Implementing the Labor Code exclude certain employees from receiving benefits such as nighttime pay. Holiday pay of certain employees. Mediator Arbiter approved the memorandum of agreement and certified LCP "as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent among the rank-and-file employees of Empire Food Products for purposes of collective bargaining with respect to wages. hours of work and other terms and conditions of employment". which hired them on various dates. Held: The petitioners are so entitled to these benefits namely. 8. second. including those who are engaged on task or contract basis. Union busting thru Harassments [sic].A. Further. Book III which we quote hereunder. Three (3) factors lead us to conclude that petitioners. SEC. 6640 and R. 13th month pay and service incentive leave. such as Wages promulgated by the Regional Wage Board. the length of time that petitioners worked for private respondents. in Section 8(b). Petitioners filed against private respondents a complaint for payment of money claims and for violation of labor standards laws They also filed a petition for direct certification of petitioner Labor Congress of the Philippines as their bargaining representative. who were engaged in the manufacture and selling of such food products. service incentive leave and 13th month pay.R. 1990. Actual." Issue: WON the petitioners are entitled to labor standard benefits considering they are paid by piece rate worker. No. although piece-rate workers. and interfering with the rights of employees to self-organization. Underpayment of Wages in violation of R.A. were regular employees of private respondents. and third. petitioners filed a complaint against private respondents for Unfair Labor Practice by way of Illegal Lockout and/or Dismissal. not only did petitioners labor under the control of private respondents as their employer. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . premium pay. First. On January 1991. Moral and Exemplary Damages. 123938 Facts: The 99 persons named as petitioners in this proceeding were rank-and-file employees of respondent Empire Food Products. in view of the modifications to P. boundary or task basis. Rule VII. or where such rates have been fixed by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the aforesaid section. to wit: 2. Rule I. without regard to the time spent in producing the same. 8. d. 115 Ma. In addition. his holiday pay shall not be less than his average daily earnings for the last seven (7) actual working days preceding the regular holiday: Provided. of these regulations. According to Sec 2(e). pakiao. the Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the 13th Month Pay Law. takay. however. petitioners are beyond the ambit of exempted persons and are therefore entitled to overtime pay. irrespective of the time consumed in the performance thereof.D. workers who are paid by results including those who are paid on piece-work.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests (b) Where a covered employee is paid by results or output. however. Book III of the Implementing Rules. No. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . except where the workers are paid on piece-rate basis in which case the employer shall grant the required 13th month pay to such workers. 851: Employers of those who are paid on purely commission. EXEMPTED EMPLOYERS The following employers are still not covered by P. The Revised Guidelines as well as the Rules and Regulations identify those workers who fall under the piecerate category as those who are paid a standard amount for every piece or unit of work produced that is more or less regularly replicated. Book III. or task basis. that in no case shall the holiday pay be less than the applicable statutory minimum wage rate. 851 19 by Memorandum Order No. No.D. are not entitled to receive overtime pay. 28. As to overtime pay. are different. and those who are paid a fixed amount for performing specific work. such as payment on piece work. the rules. As such. clearly exclude the employer of piece rate workers from those exempted from paying 13th month pay. if their output rates are in accordance with the standards prescribed under Sec. petitioner refused to issue the certificate unless he submitted his resignation. Private respondent alleged that he had been sick and thus allowed to go on leave without pay for one month from April 28. members of the family of the employer who are dependent on him for support. but not to government employees. 116 Ma. 1990 but that when he reported to work at the end of such period with a health clearance. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 1990. Since private respondent refused to submit such letter unless he was given separation pay. domestic helpers. Although they perform non-agricultural work away from petitioner's business offices. during the entire course of their fishing voyage. vs NLRC (1998) G. petitioner prevented him from entering the premises. Issue: WON the fishing crew members are considered field personnel who have no statutory right to service incentive leave pay. 1990. Thereafter. For this reason. he was told to come back another time as he could not be reinstated immediately. 1988. "Field personnel" shall refer to non-agricultural employees who regularly perform their duties away from the principal place of business or branch office of the employer and whose actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. 112574 Facts: Private respondent had been employed as a "bodegero" or ship's quartermaster on February 12.. the fact remains that throughout the duration of their work they are under the effective control and supervision of petitioner through the vessel's patron or master. 82 of the Labor Code provides: The provisions of this title [Working Conditions and Rest Periods] shall apply to employees in all establishments and undertakings whether for profit or not. and workers who are paid by results as determined by the Secretary of Labor in appropriate regulations. Art. private respondent asked for a certificate of employment from petitioner on September 6.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Mercidar Fishing Corp. in the case at bar.R. Held: Fishing crew are still entitled to service incentive leave. when he came back for the certificate on September 10. In contrast. fishermen employed by petitioner have no choice but to remain on board its vessel. He complained that he had been constructively dismissed by petitioner when the latter refused him assignments aboard its boats after he had reported to work on May 28. petitioner refused to give him work. field personnel. However. persons in the personal service of another. (1) Muslim holidays shall be officially observed in the Provinces of Basilan. 1083. otherwise known as the Code of Muslim Personal Laws. Title I.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Miguel Corp. Book V. Still. Iligan City. SMC failed to submit proof that it was paying regular Muslim holiday pay to its employees. of Presidential Decree No. Lanao del Sur. The foregoing provisions should be read in conjunction with Article 94 of the Labor Code. SMC appealed but it was dismissed. (b) The employer may require an employee to work on any holiday but such employee shall be paid a compensation equivalent to twice his regular rate. 170 provides the provinces and cities where officially observed. The following are hereby recognized as legal Muslim holidays: (a) 'Amun Jadîd (New Year). Director IV of DOLE Iligan District Office issued a compliance order directing SMC to consider Muslim holidays as regular holidays and to pay both its Muslim and non-Muslim employees holiday pay within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the order. Filomena. which falls on the twenty-seventh day of the seventh lunar month of Rajab: (d) 'Îd-ul-Fitr (Hari Raya Puasa). (b) Maulid-un-Nabî (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad). DOLE sent a copy of the inspection result to SMC and it was received by and explained to its personnel officer Elena dela Puerta. Muslim holidays may also be officially observed in other provinces and cities. The Court reminds the respondent-appellant that wages and other emoluments granted by law to the working man are determined on the basis of the criteria laid down by laws and certainly not on the basis of the worker's faith or religion. Maguindanao. Lanao del Norte. and Zamboanga and in such other Muslim provinces and cities as may hereafter be created. SMC contested the findings and DOLE conducted summary hearings on 19 November 1992. it was discovered that there was underpayment by SMC of regular Muslim holiday pay to its employees. Hence. However. which falls on the first day of the first lunar month of Muharram. 28 May 1993 and 4 and 5 October 1993. commemorating the end of the fasting season. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .R. vs Court of Appeals (2002) G. Muslim holidays are provided under Articles 169 and 170. there should be no distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims as regards payment of benefits for Muslim holidays. which states: Official Muslim holidays. Iligan. Marawi. (c) Lailatul Isrâ Wal Mi'râj (Nocturnal Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad). except in retail and service establishments regularly employing less than ten (10) workers. In the course of the inspection. which provides: Right to holiday pay. 146775 Facts: The Department of Labor and Employment conducted a routine inspection in the premises of San Miguel Corporation in Sta. Held: The employees are entitled to regular Muslim holiday pay. (2) Upon proclamation by the President of the Philippines. which falls on the twelfth day of the third lunar month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. Pagadian. Issue: WON the employees are entitled with regular Muslim holiday pay. 117 Ma. and (e) 'Îd-ul-Adhâ (Hari Raya Haji). North Cotabato. Art.which falls on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month of Dhû'l-Hijja.. (a) Every worker shall be paid his regular daily wage during regular holidays. which falls on the first day of the tenth lunar month of Shawwal. (1) those whose time and performance is supervised by the employer. dismissal under the grounds provided for under Article 282 of the Labor Code and (2) the legality in the manner of dismissal. petitioner made it plain that Lagrama was dismissed. 151228 Facts: On October 17. private respondent Lagrama was summoned by Tan and upbraided: "Nangihi na naman ka sulod sa imong drawinganan. Instead of ordering his reinstatement as provided in Art. 118 Ma. The Implementing Rules of the Labor Code provide that no worker shall be dismissed except for a just or authorized cause provided by law and after due process. even if the charge was true. This provision has two aspects: (1) the legality of the act of dismissal. but the same must be shown by evidence. Lagrama filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) in Butuan City. it was a minor infraction to warrant his dismissal. I don't want you to draw anymore. From now on. He alleged that he had been illegally dismissed and sought reinvestigation and payment of 13th month pay. while illegality in the manner of dismissal is dismissal without due process. Hence. Gawas. Here there is no evidence that Lagrama did urinate in a place other than a rest room in the premises of his work. 1998. namely. He claimed that he was not the only one who entered the drawing area and that. by his refusal to give Lagrama work to do and ordering Lagrama to get out of his sight as the latter tried to explain his side. Issue: WON the respondent was illegally dismissed and thus entitled to payment of benefits provided by law. 279 of the Labor Code.R. everytime he spoke. The illegality of the act of dismissal constitutes discharge without just cause. Tan shouted "Gawas" ("Get out"). wala nay drawing." ("Don't say anything further. the grant of separation pay in lieu of reinstatement is appropriate. The parties do not dispute this finding. Tan told him. service incentive leave pay. The Bureau of Working Conditions 32 classifies workers paid by results into two groups.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Tan vs Lagarama (2002) G. and (2) those whose time and performance is unsupervised by the employer. However. no more drawing. Held: The respondent was illegally dismissed and entitled to benefits. Dili ko gusto nga mo-drawing ka pa. "Ayaw daghang estorya. without any deduction or qualification. Get out. Urinating in a work place other than the one designated for the purpose by the employer constitutes violation of reasonable regulations intended to promote a healthy environment under Art. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 282(1) of the Labor Code for purposes of terminating employment. This is of course in addition to the payment of backwages which." ("You again urinated inside your work area. that is. Guikan karon.") Lagrama denied the charge against him. In this case. salary differential. and damages. in accordance with the ruling in Bustamante v. the Labor Arbiter found that the relationship between the employer and employee has been so strained that the latter's reinstatement would no longer serve any purpose. NLRC should be computed from the time of Lagrama's dismissal up to the time of the finality of this decision. leaving him with no other choice but to leave the premises.") When Lagrama asked what Tan was saying. After hearing.m. 97 of the Labor Code as remuneration or earnings. The NLRC held petitioners guilty of abandonment of work and accordingly dismissed their claims except that for 13th month pay. petitioners filed a complaint against private respondents for illegal dismissal and sought recovery of overtime pay. the NLRC reversed the decision of the Labor Arbiter. and attorney s fees. (Here. Regardless of the number of pieces they finished in a day. Payment by the piece is just a method of compensation and does not define the essence of the relations.) Both classes of workers are paid per unit accomplished. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Issue: WON the petitioners are entitled to the minimum benefits provided by law. There are two categories of employees paid by results: (1) those whose time and performance are supervised by the employer. There is no dispute that petitioners were employees of private respondents although they were paid not on the basis of time spent on the job but according to the quantity and the quality of work produced by them. the employer s control is over the result of the work. capable of being expressed in terms of money whether fixed or ascertained on a time..m. The Arbiter applied the rule in the Mercury Drug case.e. Held: The petitioners are entitled to the minimum benefits provided by law. task. private respondents exercised control over the work of petitioners. they are entitled to reinstatement with back wages.). The mere fact that they were paid on a piece-rate basis does not negate their status as regular employees of private respondents. Piece-rate payment is generally practiced in garment factories where work is done in the company premises. including Sundays and holidays. daily. they were each given a daily pay of at least P64. to 7:00 p.m. Labor Arbiter found private respondents guilty of illegal dismissal and accordingly ordered them to pay petitioners claims. service incentive leave pay. Workers on pakyao and takay basis belong to this group. while payment on pakyao and takay basis is commonly observed in the agricultural industry. The Labor Arbiter correctly ordered private respondents to give separation pay. separation pay.00. supervised employees. premium pay on holiday and rest day. (Here. and (2) those whose time and performance are unsupervised. They worked from 8:00 a. 13th month pay. i. such as in sugar plantations where the work is performed in bulk or in volumes difficult to quantify. In this case. Nor does the fact that petitioners are not covered by the SSS affect the employer-employee relationship.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Lambo vs NLRC (1999) 317 SCRA 420 Facts: Petitioners Avelino Lambo and Vicente Belocura were employed as tailors by private respondents J. piece or commission basis. As in the case of the other 100 employees of private respondents. The term "wage" is broadly defined in Art. As tailors. to 7:00 p. On January 17. Tailor Shop and/or Johnny Co on September 10. 4 Petitioners belong to the first category. On appeal. Any award in excess of three years is null and void as to the excess.m. respectively. according to which the recovery of back wages should be limited to three years without qualifications or deductions. there is an element of control and supervision over the manner as to how the work is to be performed. 119 Ma. including Sundays and holidays. A piece-rate worker belongs to this category especially if he performs his work in the company premises. As petitioners were illegally dismissed. petitioners worked in the company s premises from 8:00 a. 1985 and March 3. petitioners were paid on a piece-work basis. daily. holiday pay.C. according to the style of suits they made. 1985. 1989. R. On December 21.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests R&E Transport vs Latag (2004) G. This is not say that all quitclaims are invalid per se. 7641. the Labor Arbiter rendered a decision in favor of Latag. Avelina Latag. the basis for computing their benefits should be the average daily income. It is accepted that taxi drivers do not receive fixed wages. substituted him. his wife. 1961. Pedro M. he is not entitled to the 13th month 32 and the service incentive pay. and look with disfavor upon quitclaims and waivers that bargain these away. Subsequently. The Quitclaim and Waiver signed by Respondent Latag. the term one half-month salary shall mean fifteen (15) days plus one-twelfth (1/12) of the 13th month pay and the cash equivalent of not more than five (5) days of service incentive leaves The rules implementing the New Retirement Law similarly provide the above-mentioned formula for computing the one-half month salary. 155214 Facts: Pedro Latag was a regular employee of La Mallorca Taxi since March 1. but retain only those sums in excess of the "boundary" or fee they pay to the owners or operators of their vehicles. the administrative officer of [petitioners]. Latagfiled a case for payment of his retirement pay before the NLRC. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . When La Mallorca ceased from business operations. hence. 1999. however. Thus. On January 10. for his retirement pay pursuant to Republic Act 7641 but he was ignored.00) as a taxi driver. Unless the parties provide for broader inclusions. Latag however died on April 30. Latag was credited with 14 years of service with R & E Transport. Since Pedro was paid according to the "boundary" system. but not beyond sixty-five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory retirement age. the CA committed no error when it ruled that the document was invalid and could not bar her from demanding the benefits legally due her husband. as amended by Republic Act No. Undisputably. Article 287 of the Labor Code. who has served at least five (5) years in said establishment. Latag got sick in January 1995 and was forced to apply for partial disability with the SSS. Inc. 1998. In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of employees in the establishment. Latag thus asked Felix Fabros. which was granted. Courts. When he recovered. 120 Ma. an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more. He was receiving an average daily salary of five hundred pesos (P500. a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one whole year. 30 provides: Retirement. his retirement pay should be computed on the sole basis of his salary. are wary of schemes that frustrate workers' rights and benefits. may retire and shall be entitled to retirement pay equivalent to at least one-half (1/2) month salary for every year of service. Inc. 2000. Issue: WON Latag is entitled to retirement benefits considering she signed a waiver of quitclaim. Held: The respondent is entitled to retirement benefits despite of the waiver of quitclaims. Latag transferred to R & E Transport. he reported for work in September 1998 but was no longer allowed to continue working on account of his old age. the thirtieth of November. namely. 1998 was both Maundy Thursday and Araw ng Kagitingan. the twenty-fifth and thirtieth of December and the day designated by law for holding a general election. 6. "holiday" includes: New Year's Day. Good Friday. 1998. 1993 which apart from being Good Friday is also Araw ng Kagitingan. which apart from being Good Friday is also Araw ng Kagitingan. 1998. when April 9. both legal holidays. which was amended by Executive Order No. the first of May. Respondent Bisig ng Asian Transmission Labor Union (BATLU) protested. 1998 which covers two regular holidays. 1998. Said bulletin was reproduced on January 23.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Asian Transmission vs Court of Appeals (2004) 425 SCRA 478 Facts: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued an Explanatory Bulletin dated March 11. except in retail and service establishments regularly employing less than ten (10) workers. (a) Every worker shall be paid his regular daily wage during regular holidays. 10. the twelfth of June. Araw ng Kagitingan and Maundy Thursday. the Office of the Voluntary Arbitrator rendered a decision directing petitioner to pay its covered employees "200% and not just 100% of their regular daily wages for the unworked April 9. 8.. this Department is of the view that the covered employees are entitled to at least two hundred percent (200%) of their basic wage even if said holiday is unworked. Subject of interpretation in the case at bar is Article 94 of the Labor Code which reads: Right to holiday pay. 1993. 4. The first 100% represents the payment of holiday pay on April 9. In accordance with Step 6 of the grievance procedure of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) existing between petitioner and BATLU. [Asian Transmission Corporation opted to pay its daily paid employees only 100% of their basic pay on April 9. 7. Maundy Thursday.e. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . whether unworked. 203 issued on June 30. 2." Issue: WON the employees are entitled to the computation embodied in the bulletin clarification. 1993 as Good Friday and the second 100% is the payment of holiday pay for the same date as Araw ng Kagitingan. 1987. The bulletin reads: "On the correct payment of holiday compensation on April 9. the controversy was submitted for voluntary arbitration. 1993 wherein it clarified that employees are entitled to 200% of their basic wage on April 9. the ninth of April. 3. i. 5. two regular holidays falling on the same day. the fourth of July. such that the regular holidays are now: 1. Held: The employees are entitled to the computation given in the bulletin clarification. Despite the explanatory bulletin. (b) The employer may require an employee to work on any holiday but such employee shall be paid a compensation equivalent to twice his regular rate. 9. New Year's Day January 1 Maundy Thursday Movable Date Good Friday Movable Date Araw ng Kagitingan April 9 (Bataan and Corregidor Day) Labor Day May 1 Independence Day June 12 National Heroes Day Last Sunday of August Bonifacio Day November 30 Christmas Day December 25 Rizal Day December 30 121 Ma. On July 31. and (c) As used in this Article. Independence Day (June 12). 1998 when it was Araw ng Kagitingan and at the same time was Maundy Thursday. National Heroes Day (last Sunday of August). Labor Day (May 1) is a day traditionally reserved to celebrate the contributions of the working class to the development of the nation. The provision is mandatory. 203 allow the worker to celebrate his faith with his family. as amended. that is. 122 Ma. Art. as amended. 94 of the Labor Code. afford a worker the enjoyment of ten paid regular holidays. enumerates ten regular holidays for every year should not be interpreted as authorizing a reduction to nine the number of paid regular holidays "just because April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan) in certain years. while the religious holidays designated in Executive Order No. the computation of which is determined by a legal formula which is not changed by the fact that there are two holidays falling on one day. like 1993 and 1998. and deepen the spirit of patriotism. Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30) were declared national holidays to afford Filipinos with a recurring opportunity to commemorate the heroism of the Filipino people. he earns what he should earn. although the worker is forced to take a rest. promote national identity. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . his holiday pay." 8 It is also intended to enable the worker to participate in the national celebrations held during the days identified as with great historical and cultural significance. Unlike a bonus." Holiday pay is a legislated benefit enacted as part of the Constitutional imperative that the State shall afford protection to labor. the fact that two holidays fall on the same date should not operate to reduce to nine the ten holiday pay benefits a worker is entitled to receive. which is a management prerogative. is also Holy Friday or Maundy Thursday. and that that the law. regardless of whether an employee is paid on a monthly or daily basis. The Voluntary Arbitrator held that Article 94 of the Labor Code provides for holiday pay for every regular holiday. Its purpose is not merely "to prevent diminution of the monthly income of the workers on account of work interruptions. like on April 9. As reflected above. In other words.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests The Court agrees with the voluntary arbitrator. Since a worker is entitled to the enjoyment of ten paid regular holidays. holiday pay is a statutory benefit demandable under the law. Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9). On January 2000." applying the rule on ejusdem generis that general and unlimited terms are restrained and limited by the particular terms that they follow. Rule V: SERVICE INCENTIVE LEAVE also states that this rule shall apply to all employees except: (d) Field personnel and other employees whose performance is unsupervised by the employer including those who are engaged on task or contract basis. the bus he was driving accidentally bumped the rear portion of Autobus No. as he had just arrived in Manila from Roxas. as the latter vehicle suddenly stopped at a sharp curve without giving any warning." Said phrase should be related with "field personnel. According to the Implementing Rules.50. Book III of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Labor Code which provides: RIGHT TO SERVICE INCENTIVE LEAVE. Nueva Vizcaya. Respondent was paid on commission basis. the same was ignored by management. on a twice a month basis. seven percent (7%) of the total gross income per travel. The disposition of the issue revolves around the proper interpretation of Article 95 of the Labor Code vis-à-vis Section 1(D). Moreover.. Isabela. 156364 Facts: Respondent Antonio Bautista has been employed by petitioner Auto Bus Transport Systems. Held: The respondent is entitled to service incentive leave. Inc. Baguio-Tuguegarao via Manila and Manila-Tabuk via Baguio.551. as driver-conductor with travel routes Manila-Tuguegarao via Baguio. Fe. Thus. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Issue: WON respondent is entitled to service incentive leave. since May 1995. purely commission basis. on 02 February 2000. representing thirty percent (30%) of the cost of repair of the damaged buses and that despite respondent's pleas for reconsideration.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Autobus Transport System vs Bautista (2005) G. respondent instituted a Complaint for Illegal Dismissal with Money Claims for nonpayment of 13th month pay and service incentive leave pay against Autobus. Rule V. Isabela." The same is true with respect to the phrase "those who are engaged on task or contract basis. although he had not slept for almost twenty-four (24) hours.R. while respondent was driving Autobus No. Rather. it serves as an amplification of the interpretation of the definition of field personnel under the Labor Code as those "whose actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. Respondent averred that the accident happened because he was compelled by the management to go back to Roxas. or those who are paid in a fixed amount for performing work irrespective of the time consumed in the performance thereof. After a month. 124. (a) Every employee who has rendered at least one year of service shall be entitled to a yearly service incentive leave of five days with pay. purely commission basis. 123 Ma. Service Incentive Leave shall not apply to employees classified as "field personnel. A careful examination of said provisions of law will result in the conclusion that the grant of service incentive leave has been delimited by the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Labor Code to apply only to those employees not explicitly excluded by Section 1 of Rule V. Book III." The phrase "other employees whose performance is unsupervised by the employer" must not be understood as a separate classification of employees to which service incentive leave shall not be granted. Respondent further alleged that he was not allowed to work until he fully paid the amount of P75. management sent him a letter of termination. 114 along Sta. field personnel are those who regularly perform their duties away from the principal place of business of the employer and whose actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. Book III of the Implementing Rules and Regulations provides that "every employee who has rendered at least one year of service shall be entitled to a yearly service incentive leave of five days with pay. He may use it as leave days or he may collect its monetary value. or that provided in the employment contracts. hence. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . employees engaged on task or contract basis or paid on purely commission basis are not automatically exempted from the grant of service incentive leave. According to Article 82 of the Labor Code. Respondent is not a field personnel but a regular employee who performs tasks usually necessary and desirable to the usual trade of petitioner's business. What must be ascertained in order to resolve the issue of propriety of the grant of service incentive leave to respondent is whether or not he is a field personnel. subject to a few exceptions. in which case said period shall be considered as one year. Section 2. This definition is further elaborated in the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC). Advisory Opinion to Philippine TechnicalClerical Commercial Employees Association 10 which states that: As a general rule. is less than 12 months. it is necessary to stress that the definition of a "field personnel" is not merely concerned with the location where the employee regularly performs his duties but also with the fact that the employee's performance is unsupervised by the employer. an employee who has served for one year is entitled to it." It is also "commutable to its money equivalent if not used or exhausted at the end of the year. employees including drivers cannot be said to be field personnel despite the fact that they are performing work away from the principal office of the employee. 124 Ma. The clear policy of the Labor Code is to grant service incentive leave pay to workers in all establishments. As discussed above. Thus. field personnel are those whose performance of their job/service is not supervised by the employer or his representative. unless. In so doing." Service incentive leave is a right which accrues to every employee who has served "within 12 months. it is also necessary to ascertain if actual hours of work in the field can be determined with reasonable certainty by the employer. they fall under the classification of field personnel. is to unduly restrict such right. the workplace being away from the principal office and whose hours and days of work cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. they are paid specific amount for rendering specific service or performing specific work. Accordingly." In other words. At this point. an inquiry must be made as to whether or not the employee's time and performance are constantly supervised by the employer. whether continuous or broken reckoned from the date the employee started working. If required to be at specific places at specific times. respondent is entitled to the grant of service incentive leave. including authorized absences and paid regular holidays unless the working days in the establishment as a matter of practice or policy. "field personnel" shall refer to non-agricultural employees who regularly perform their duties away from the principal place of business or branch office of the employer and whose actual hours of work in the field cannot be determined with reasonable certainty. Rule V. as the solicitor general recommends. in order to conclude whether an employee is a field employee.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Hence. To limit the award to three years. temporary employee. Succinctly put.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Miguel Corp. petitioner claimed that respondent was a probationary employee whose services were terminated as a result of the excess manpower that could no longer be accommodated by the company. On March 13. exists where the services of an employee are in excess of what is reasonably demanded by the actual requirements of the enterprise. In termination cases. is she entitled to monetary benefits. 2002.g. Issue: WON the respondent was an employee and was illegally terminated. and (c) seniority. e. her services still had to be terminated because there are no more regular positions in the company. 2001. On June 24. Thus. from April 17. vs Del Rosario (2005) G. The Labor Arbiter declared respondent a regular employee because her employment exceeded six months and holding that she was illegally dismissed as there was no authorized cause to terminate her employment. Held: Respondent was illegally dismissed and is thus entitled to monetary benefits. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Redundancy. a position is redundant where it is superfluous. and superfluity of a position or positions may be the outcome of a number of factors. or when it is required by the nature of the work. (b) efficiency. having been presented. it hired new recruits and re-employed two of her batch mates. petitioner informed respondent that her probationary employment will be severed at the close of the business hours of March 12. The Court 125 Ma. On appeal to NLRC. respondent whose employment exceeded six months is undoubtedly a regular employee of petitioner. Respondent alleged that petitioner feigned an excess in manpower because after her dismissal. What further militated against the alleged redundancy advanced by petitioner is their failure to refute respondent's assertion that after her dismissal.R. The criteria in implementing a redundancy are: (a) less preferred status. respondent was refused entry to petitioner's premises. respondent filed a complaint against petitioner for illegal dismissal and underpayment/non-payment of monetary benefits. none of these exceptional circumstance were proven in the present case. 2001. 2001. Her termination from employment must be for a just or authorized cause. for purposes of the Labor Code. otherwise. If so. probationers but also of some of its regular employees. it modified the previous decision. None. petitioner is invoking a redundancy which allegedly resulted in the termination not only of the trainees. it hired new recruits and re-employed two of her batch mates. decreased volume of business. the period of probationary employment may exceed six months when the parties so agree. On March 9. such as overhiring of workers. means that she was a regular employee and not a temporary reliever or a probationary employee. The best proof that petitioner should have presented to prove the probationary status of respondent is her employment contract. the burden of proving the circumstances that would justify the employee's dismissal rests with the employer. 2000 to March 12. On the other hand. the continuous employment of respondent as an account specialist for almost 11 months. such as when the same is established by company policy. her dismissal would be illegal. It thus argued in the alternative that even assuming that respondent qualified for regular employment. Petitioner tried to justify the dismissal of respondent under the authorized cause of redundancy. Undoubtedly. 168194 Facts: Respondent was employed by petitioner as key account specialist. And while it is true that by way of exception. or dropping of a particular product line or service activity previously manufactured or undertaken by the enterprise.. 2001. computed from the time her compensation was actually withheld from her on March 13. shall be presumed to be paid for all the days in the month whether worked or not. 126 Ma. She is likewise entitled to other benefits. Book III of the Omnibus Rules Implementing the Labor Code. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Respondent is not entitled to holiday pay because the records reveal that she is a monthly paid regular employee. up to her actual reinstatement. employees who are uniformly paid by the month.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests finds that petitioner was not able to discharge the burden of proving that the dismissal of respondent was valid. service incentive leave pay and 13th month pay computed from such date also up to her actual reinstatement. Considering that respondent was illegally dismissed. irrespective of the number of working days therein. 2001.e. i. Under Section 2. Rule IV. she is entitled not only to reinstatement but also to payment of full back wages.. Ma. 127 To supply the required and continuous steam to all consuming units at minimum cost. After the parties failed to settle amicably. 2. Petitioner Charlito Peñaranda was hired as an employee of Baganga Plywood Corporation (BPC) to take charge of the operations and maintenance of its steam plant boiler. Held: Petitioner is not entitled to overtime pay and other monetary benefits. Furthermore. and who do not devote more than 20 percent of their hours worked in a workweek to activities which are not directly and closely related to the performance of the work described in paragraphs (1). To evaluate performance of machinery and manpower. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment. or (ii) execute under general supervision work along specialized or technical lines requiring special training. before the NLRC. To supervise.R. premium pay for working during holidays/rest days. experience. (2). 1999 with a monthly salary of P5. (i) Regularly and directly assist a proprietor or a managerial employee whose primary duty consists of the management of the establishment in which he is employed or subdivision thereof.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Penaranda vs Baganga Plywood Corp (2006) G. 159577 Facts: Sometime in June 1999. officers and member of the managerial staff are not entitled to the provisions of law on labor standards. However. The Court disagrees with the NLRC's finding that petitioner was a managerial employee. petitioner was a member of the managerial staff. check and monitor manpower workmanship as well as operation of boiler and accessories." (4) The petitioner s work involves: 1. Peñaranda filed a Complaint for illegal dismissal with money claims against BPC and its general manager. Issue: WON Peñaranda is a regular. and (3) above. Like managerial employees. 3. or (iii) execute under general supervision special assignments and tasks. Peñaranda alleges that he was employed by respondent Banganga on March 15. which also takes him out of the coverage of labor standards.00 as Foreman/Boiler Head/Shift Engineer until he was illegally terminated on December 19. he was not paid his overtime pay. In May 2001. Hudson Chua.000. he alleges that his services were terminated without the benefit of due process and valid grounds in accordance with law. or knowledge. common employee entitled to monetary benefits under Art. night shift differentials and finally claimed for payment of damages and attorney's fees having been forced to litigate the present complaint. 2000. 82 of the Labor Code and is entitled to the payment of overtime pay and other monetary benefits. The Implementing Rules of the Labor Code define members of a managerial staff as those with the following duties and responsibilities: (1) (2) (3) The primary duty consists of the performance of work directly related to management policies of the employer. the labor arbiter directed the parties to file their position papers and submit supporting documents. To check water from the boiler. As supervisor. Noteworthy. 1. acEHSI To recommend personnel actions such as: promotion. To follow-up supply of waste and other materials for fuel. 8.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 4. Petitioner's evidence also showed that he was the supervisor of the steam plant. 10. 2. he stated that he was the foreman responsible for the operation of the boiler. Recommend parts and suppliers purchases. feedwater and softener. The term foreman implies that he was the representative of management over the workers and the operation of the department. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . regenerate softener if beyond hardness limit. Petitioner supervised the engineering section of the steam plant boiler. 128 Ma. He belonged to the 10% of respondent's 354 employees who were paid on a monthly basis. particularly items. His work involved overseeing the operation of the machines and the performance of the workers in the engineering section. 7. This work necessarily required the use of discretion and independent judgment to ensure the proper functioning of the steam plant boiler. petitioner is deemed a member of the managerial staff. or disciplinary action. the others were paid only on a daily basis." The foregoing enumeration. In his Position Paper. His duties and responsibilities conform to the definition of a member of a managerial staff under the Implementing Rules. 5. Perform other task as required by the superior from time to time. 5 and 7 illustrates that petitioner was a member of the managerial staff. His classification as supervisors is further evident from the manner his salary was paid. Implement Chemical Dosing. 9. even petitioner admitted that he was a supervisor. To train new employees for effective and safety white working. 3. 6. 149013 Facts: The House of Sara Lee is engaged in the direct selling of a variety of product lines for men and women. respondent was temporarily assigned to the Butuan City branch. or sales commissions. counted from the day the said dealers acquired the merchandise from the petitioner. Under this organizational setup. which would either be 38 days for IGSs or 52 days for IBMs. Ms. the CAS is under the direct and immediate supervision of the Branch Operations Manager (BOM). perfumes. respondent was transferred to the Cagayan de Oro City branch retaining the same position. would obtain at discounted rates the merchandise from the petitioner on credit or then sell the same products to their own customers at fixed prices also determined by the petitioner. In November 1993. She was first employed by the petitioner as an Accounts Receivable Clerk at its Caloocan City branch. the petitioner engages and contracts with dealers to sell the aforementioned merchandise. as the petitioner alleges. At that time. the dealers must remit to the petitioner the proceeds of their sales within a designated credit period. and to screen prospective IBMs. held the position of Credit Administration Supervisor or CAS at the Cagayan de Oro City branch of the petitioner. Jeremiah Villagracia.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests House of Sara Lee vs Rey (2006) G. In March 1995. a sales commission. Villagracia.R. from the 52-day limit to an unauthorized term of 60 days. On top of this margin. to supervise the credit and collection of payments and outstanding accounts due to the petitioner from its independent dealers and various customers. The respondent made the instruction just before the computer data for the computation of the Service Fee accruing to Ms. the petitioner has found the need to strictly monitor the 38. Mr. depending on whether they sell individually or through their own group. or simply. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the dealers are paid Services Fees. Due to the sheer volume of sales generated by all of its outlets. The primary duty of the CAS is to strictly monitor each of these deadlines. through its various outlets nationwide. Mendoza then reported this allegedly unauthorized act of respondent to her Branch Operations Manager. Acting on the report. known either as Independent Business Managers (IBMs) or Independent Group Supervisors (IGSs).or 52-day rolling due date of each of its IBMs and IGSs through the employment of Credit Administration Supervisors (CAS) for each branch. the dealer is given the Service Fee. To discharge these responsibilities. The dealers under this system earn income through a profit margin between the discounted purchase price they pay on credit to the petitioner and the fixed selling price their customers will have to pay. intimate apparels. on the value of the unremitted payment. the petitioner imposes a Credit Administration Charge. In the pursuit of its business. the CAS is provided with a computer equipped with control systems through which data is readily generated. To discourage late remittances. including cosmetics. based on the volume of sales generated by him or her. BOM Villagracia discreetly verified the records and discovered that it was not only the 129 Ma. In turn. a penalty charge. respondent was elevated to the position of CAS. These dealers. while respondent was still working in Butuan City. the amount of which depends on the volume and value of their sales. the Branch Operations Manager or BOM of the Cagayan de Oro City branch was a certain Mr. Sometime in June 1995. Cynthia Rey at the time of her dismissal from employment. Rey-Petilla was about to be generated. she allegedly instructed the Accounts Receivable Clerk of the Cagayan de Oro outlet to change the credit term of one of the IBMs of the petitioner who happens to be respondent s sister-in-law. Under existing company policy. ready to wear clothes and other novelty items. In January 1994. Issue: WON the respondent is entitled to 13th month pay. including the company s fiscal situation. there is no vested right to salary increases. or the employee s continued stay in a position. Held: The award of 13th month pay must be deleted. 130 Ma. such that her salary increases can be made a component in the computation of backwages. In short. They are by nature volatile and dependent on numerous variables. Mere allegations by the respondent do not suffice in the absence of proof supporting the same. However. not entitled to thirteenth-month pay. the NLRC and the CA are correct in refusing to award 14th and 15th month pay as well as the monthly salary increase of 10 percent per year for two years based on her latest salary rate. absent any proof. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . therefore.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 52-day credit term of IBM Rey-Petilla that had been extended by the respondent. Respondent is not a rank-and-file employee and is. With respect to salary increases in particular. but there were several other IBMs whose credit terms had been similarly extended beyond the periods allowed by company policy. the employee s future performance on the job. The respondent must show that these benefits are due to her as a matter of right. BOM Villagracia then summoned the respondent and required her to explain the unauthorized credit extensions. What is evident is that salary increases are a mere expectancy. the respondent must likewise show that she has a vested right to the same. the minimum allowable divisor is 287. The 304-day divisor used by the employer was clearly above the minimum of 287 days.R. National Labor Relations Commission. Leyte IV Electric Cooperative. thus with said formula. 43 Producers Bank of the Philippines v. It was also applied in Odango v. the employees are required to work only from Monday to Friday. on the other hand. In this case. as provided for in the CBA. the employees are already paid their regular and special days. Casilan. less 52 Sundays and less 26 Saturdays (or 52 half Saturdays). 2000. The monthly salary thus fixed actually covered payment for 314 days of the year. the days when no work is done. sent a letter to petitioner demanding holiday pay for all employees. for a period of five (5) years effective January 1. which is the result of 365 days. the minimum allowable divisor is 263. On June 7.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Leyte IV Electric Cooperative Inc. Thus. petitioner's submission of its 360 divisor in the computation of employees' salaries gains significance. the monthly salary was fixed by Wellington to provide for compensation for every working day of the year including the holidays specified by law and excluding only Sundays. such as transportation strike. insisted payment of the holiday pay in compliance with the CBA provisions. 1998. National Labor Relations Commission. Wellington used what it called the "314 factor". Inc. stating that payment was presumed since the formula used in determining the daily rate of pay of the covered employees is Basic Monthly Salary divided by 30 days or Basic Monthly Salary multiplied by 12 divided by 360 days. vs LEYECO IV Employees Union ALU (2007) G. Petitioner. Issue: WON Leyte IV Electric Cooperative is liable for underpayment of holiday pay. Thus. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . that is. as basis for determining the monthly salary. which is arrived at by deducting 51 un-worked Sundays and 51 un-worked Saturdays from 365 131 Ma. 1998. Trajano. where Court ruled that the use of a divisor that was less than 365 days cannot make the employer automatically liable for underpayment of holiday pay. riot. (petitioner) and Leyeco IV Employees Union-ALU (respondent) entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering petitioner rank-and-file employees. This ruling was applied in Wellington Investment and Manufacturing Corporation v. The Voluntary Arbitrator gravely abused its discretion in giving a strict or literal interpretation of the CBA provisions that the holiday pay be reflected in the payroll slips. the 51 un-worked Sundays and the 51 un-worked Saturdays. In light of such admission. the employees were required to work only from Monday to Friday and half of Saturday. Vicente P. Held: Leyte IV Electric Cooperative is not liable for underpayment of holiday pay. In fixing the salary. 314. through its Regional Vice-President. as well as days when no work was done by reason of fortuitous cause. Any divisor below 287 days meant that the employees were deprived of their holiday pay for some or all of the ten legal holidays. In this case. 157775 Facts: On April 6. including regular and special holidays. In said case. in its Position Paper.. it simply deducted 51 Sundays from the 365 days normally comprising a year and used the difference. Such literal interpretation ignores the admission of respondent in its Position Paper that the employees were paid all the days of the month even if not worked. respondent. or typhoon or other natural calamity. or cause not attributable to the employees. the Voluntary Arbitrator should not have simply brushed aside petitioner's divisor formula. which is clearly above the minimum. indubitably.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests days. 132 Ma. a "double burden" was imposed upon petitioner because it was being made to pay twice for its employees' holiday pay when payment thereof had already been included in the computation of their monthly salaries. Thus. petitioner's employees are being given their holiday pay. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . In granting respondent's claim of non-payment of holiday pay. Considering that petitioner used the 360-day divisor. Article 82 of the Labor Code states that the provisions of the Labor Code on working conditions and rest periods shall not apply to managerial employees." respondents could not demand overtime pay from petitioners if respondents did not render overtime work.00 to P2. Held: The present case does not constitute an exception to the general rule. emergency overtime work (Article 89). the private respondents were availing the benefits for overtime. undertime not offset by overtime (Article 88). The requirement of rendering additional service differentiates overtime pay from benefits such as thirteenth month pay or yearly merit increase. vs Layoc. 1993. in lieu of the overtime pay and the premium pay. in the early 1990's.. Jr. to 6:00 a.500.m. the personnel of the Beer Division of the petitioner San Miguel Corporation affected by the "No Time Card Policy" were given a 10% across-the-board increase on their basic pay while the supervisors who were assigned in the night shift (6:00 p. (2007) G. However. From the commencement of their employment. the private respondents were required to punch their time cards for purposes of determining the time they would come in and out of the company's work place. 149640 Facts: Respondents were among the "Supervisory Security Guards" of the Beer Division of San Miguel Corporation. managerial employees such as respondents are not entitled to overtime pay for services rendered in excess of eight hours a day.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests San Miguel Corp. 1993 a "no time card policy" whereby the Supervisory I and II composing of the supervising security guards of the Beer Division were no longer required to punch their time cards.. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . As a result of the Decentralization Program. overtime work (Article 87).. without prior consultation with the private respondents.) were given night shift allowance ranging from P2. on January 16. Aside from their allegations. However. Respondents failed to show that the circumstances of the present case constitute an exception to this general rule. Thus. hours worked (Article 84). night shift differential (Article 86).00 a month. It is thus clear that. et al. the time cards were ordered confiscated and the latter were no longer allowed to render overtime work. overtime pay does not fall within the definition of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code. These benefits do not require any additional service from their beneficiaries.000. They started working as guards with the petitioner San Miguel Corporation assigned to the Beer Division on different dates until such time that they were promoted as supervising security guards. Consequently. respondents were not able to present anything to prove that petitioners were obliged to permit respondents to render overtime work and give them the corresponding overtime pay. et al.R. Corollary. the Beer Division of the San Miguel Corporation implemented on January 1. the San Miguel Corporation embarked on a Decentralization Program aimed at enabling the separate divisions of the San Miguel Corporation to pursue a more efficient and effective management of their respective operations. The other provisions in the Title include normal hours of work (Article 83).m. Issue: Whether the circumstances in the present case constitute an exception to the rule that supervisory employees are not entitled to overtime pay.. holiday and night premium duty through time card punching. meal periods (Article 85). and computation of additional compensation (Article 90). 133 Ma. generally. Even if petitioners did not institute a "no time card policy. 00 as stipulated in his employment contract. the vessel's master.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Bahia Shipping Services Inc. On February 17.. The Court had occasion to rule on a similar issue in Stolt-Nielsen Marine Services (Phils. 134 Ma. the private respondent reported for his working station one and one-half hours late.00 per month as monthly salary for five (5) months instead of US$410. 1997. He further asserted that his salaries were also deducted US$20. otherwise the same cannot be allowed. 1996 to July 17.). 1997. 1996 for a period of nine (9) months from October 18. the private respondent filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and other monetary claims. held that although an overseas employment contract may guarantee the right to overtime pay. Bahia Shipping Services. National Labor Relations Commission. On March 8. entitlement to such benefit must first be established. the Court. on March 9. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . This time. On February 15. The private respondent alleged that he was paid only US$300.00 per month by the petitioner for alleged union dues.00 per month for that same period of five (5) months. National Labor Relations Commission. 1997. England to board the said sea vessel where he will be assigned to work. 1996. as a restaurant waiter on board a luxury cruise ship liner M/S Black Watch pursuant to a Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) approved employment contract dated October 9. v. the private respondent left Manila for Heathrow. where the NLRC was questioned for awarding to an illegally dismissed overseas worker fixed overtime pay equivalent to the unexpired portion of the latter's contract. Inc. he claimed that he was underpaid in the amount of US$110.. ship captain Thor Fleten conducted an inquisitorial hearing to investigate the said incident. Inc. 162195 Facts: Private respondent Reynaldo Chua was hired by the petitioner shipping company. 1997. vs Chua (2008) G. Thus. petitioner's contention is well-taken. Held: The inclusion of his "guaranteed overtime" pay into his monthly salary as basis in the computation of his salaries for the entire unexpired period of his contract has no factual or legal basis and the same should have been disallowed. Petitioner contends that there is no factual or legal basis for the inclusion of said amount because. In resolving the question. On October 18. citingCagampan v. An alleged record or minutes of the said investigation was attached to the said dismissal notice. 1997. Issue: WON respondent is entitled to overtime pay which was incorporated in his award for the unexpired portion of the contract despite the fact that he did not render overtime work. 1997. Thereafter.R. private respondent was dismissed from the service on the strength of an unsigned and undated notice of dismissal. the master of the vessel served to the private respondent an official warning-termination form pertaining to the said incident. he could not have rendered any overtime work. after respondent's repatriation. On March 24. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests PNCC Skyway Traffic Management & Security Division Workers Organization vs PNCC Skyway Corp. and from that language alone. the literal meaning of its stipulation shall prevail. on its face. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Petitioner objected to the implementation of the said memorandum. The provisions of the CBA must be respected since its terms and conditions constitute the law between the parties. but as a non-monetary benefit. 171231 Facts: Petitioner PNCC Skyway Corporation Traffic Management and Security Division Workers' Organization (PSTMSDWO) is a labor union duly registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). this Court held that the CBA during its life time binds all the parties. its meaning should be determined without reference to extrinsic facts or aids.R. Vacation Leave. The rule is that where the language of a contract is plain and unambiguous. Stated differently. Held: PNCC has the sole discretion to schedule the vacation leaves of its employees. 135 Ma. Thus. the vacation leave privilege was not intended to serve as additional salary. Section 1 (b) of the CBA categorically provides that the scheduling of vacation leaves ha ll be under the option of the employer. the contested provision of the CBA is clear and unequivocal. To give the employees the option not to consume it with the aim of converting it to cash at the end of the year would defeat the very purpose of vacation leave. Article VIII. PNCC then created a schedule of leaves for their employees. They entered into CBA. and not merely to give him additional salary and bounty. It insisted that the individual members of the union have the right to schedule their vacation leave. In fine. being the law between the parties. Respondent PNCC Skyway Corporation is a corporation duly organized and operating under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines. Issue: WON the PNCC has the sole discretion to schedule the vacation leaves of its employees. unless some good reason can be assigned to show that the words used should be understood in a different sense. The purpose of a vacation leave is to afford a laborer a chance to get a much-needed rest to replenish his worn-out energy and acquire a new vitality to enable him to efficiently perform his duties. if the terms of a CBA are clear and leave no doubt upon the intention of the contracting parties. Pertinent provisions are as follows: ARTICLE VIII VACATION LEAVE AND SICK LEAVE Section 1. (2010) G. the contract must be taken to mean that which. it purports to mean. The intention of the parties must be gathered from that language. It opined that the unilateral scheduling of the employees' vacation leave was done to avoid the monetization of their vacation leave in December 2004. In Faculty Association of Mapua Institute of Technology (FAMIT) v. Accordingly. In the case at bar. [b]The company shall schedule the vacation leave of employees during the year taking into consideration the request of preference of the employees.. Court of Appeals. where the language of a written contract is clear and unambiguous. the CBA must be strictly adhered to and respected if its ends have to be achieved. The parties cannot be allowed to change the terms they agreed upon on the ground that the same are not favorable to them. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 136 Ma. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Pantranco North Express vs NLRC (1996) 259 SCRA 161 Facts: Private respondent was hired by petitioner in 1964 as a bus conductor. He eventually joined the Pantranco Employees Association-PTGWO. He continued in petitioner's employ until August 12, 1989, when he was retired at the age of fifty-two (52) after having rendered twenty five years' service. The basis of his retirement was the compulsory retirement provision of the collective bargaining agreement between the petitioner and the aforenamed union. On February 1990, private respondent filed a complaint for illegal dismissal against petitioner with NLRC. The complaint was consolidated with two other cases of illegal dismissal having similar facts and issues, filed by other employees, non-union members. Issue: WON the CBA stipulation on compulsory retirement after twenty-five years of service is legal and enforceable. Held: The CBA stipulation is legal and enforceable. The bone of contention in this case is the provision on compulsory retirement after 25 years of service. Article XI, Section 1 (e) (5) of the May 2, 1989 Collective Bargaining Agreement 8 between petitioner company and the union states: Section 1. The COMPANY shall formulate a retirement plan with the following main features: (e) The COMPANY agrees to grant the retirement benefits herein provided to regular employees who may be separated from the COMPANY for any of the following reasons: (5) Upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or upon completing twenty-five (25) years of service to the COMPANY, whichever comes first, and the employee shall be compulsory retired and paid the retirement benefits herein provided." The said Code provides: Art. 287. Retirement. Any employee may be retired upon reaching the retirement age established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement or other applicable employment contract. In case of retirement, the employee shall be entitled to receive such retirement benefits as he may have earned under existing laws and any collective bargaining or other agreement." The Court agrees with petitioner and the Solicitor General. Art. 287 of the Labor Code as worded permits employers and employees to fix the applicable retirement age at below 60 years. Moreover, providing for early retirement does not constitute diminution of benefits. In almost all countries today, early retirement, i.e., before age 60, is considered a reward for services rendered since it enables an employee to reap the fruits of his labor particularly retirement benefits, whether lump-sum or otherwise at an earlier age, when said employee, in presumably better physical and mental condition, can enjoy them better and longer. As a matter of fact, one of the advantages of early retirement is that the corresponding retirement benefits, usually consisting of a substantial cash windfall, can early on be put to productive and profitable uses by way of income-generating investments, thereby affording a more significant measure of financial security and independence for the retiree who, up till then, had to contend with life's vicissitudes within the parameters Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 137 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests of his fortnightly or weekly wages. Thus we are now seeing many CBAs with such early retirement provisions. And the same cannot be considered a diminution of employment benefits. Being a product of negotiation, the CBA between the petitioner and the union intended the provision on compulsory retirement to be beneficial to the employees-union members, including herein private respondent. When private respondent ratified the CBA with the union, he not only agreed to the CBA but also agreed to conform to and abide by its provisions. Thus, it cannot be said that he was illegally dismissed when the CBA provision on compulsory retirement was applied to his case. Incidentally, we call attention to Republic Act No. 7641, known as "The Retirement Pay Law", which went into effect on January 7, 1993. Although passed many years after the compulsory retirement of herein private respondent, nevertheless, the said statute sheds light on the present discussion when it amended Art. 287 of the Labor Code, to make it read as follows: Retirement. Any employee may be retired upon reaching the retirement age establish in the collective bargaining agreement or other applicable employment contract. In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of employees in the establishment, an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more, but not beyond sixty-five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory retirement age, who has served at least five (5) years in the said establishment may retire . . ." The aforequoted provision makes clear the intention and spirit of the law to give employers and employees a free hand to determine and agree upon the terms and conditions of retirement. Providing in a CBA for compulsory retirement of employees after twenty-five (25) years of service is legal and enforceable so long as the parties agree to be governed by such CBA. The law presumes that employees know what they want and what is good for them absent any showing that fraud or intimidation was employed to secure their consent thereto. 138 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests R&E Transport vs Latag (2004) G.R. 155214 Facts: Pedro Latag was a regular employee of La Mallorca Taxi since March 1, 1961. When La Mallorca ceased from business operations, Latag transferred to R & E Transport, Inc. He was receiving an average daily salary of five hundred pesos (P500.00) as a taxi driver. Latag got sick in January 1995 and was forced to apply for partial disability with the SSS, which was granted. When he recovered, he reported for work in September 1998 but was no longer allowed to continue working on account of his old age. Latag thus asked Felix Fabros, the administrative officer of [petitioners], for his retirement pay pursuant to Republic Act 7641 but he was ignored. Issue: WON Latag is entitled to retirement benefits considering she signed a waiver of quitclaim. Held: The respondent is entitled to retirement benefits despite of the waiver of quitclaims. There is no dispute the fact that the late Pedro M. Latag is entitled to retirement benefits. Rather, the bone of contention is the number of years that he should be credited with in computing those benefits. As to the Quitclaim and Waiver signed by Respondent Latag, the CA committed no error when it ruled that the document was invalid and could not bar her from demanding the benefits legally due her husband. This is not say that all quitclaims are invalid per se. Courts, however, are wary of schemes that frustrate workers' rights and benefits, and look with disfavor upon quitclaims and waivers that bargain these away. Undisputably, Pedro M. Latag was credited with 14 years of service with R & E Transport, Inc. Article 287 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 7641, 30 provides: Retirement. In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of employees in the establishment, an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more, but not beyond sixty-five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory retirement age, who has served at least five (5) years in said establishment, may retire and shall be entitled to retirement pay equivalent to at least one-half (1/2) month salary for every year of service, a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one whole year. Unless the parties provide for broader inclusions, the term one half-month salary shall mean fifteen (15) days plus one-twelfth (1/12) of the 13th month pay and the cash equivalent of not more than five (5) days of service incentive leaves The rules implementing the New Retirement Law similarly provide the above-mentioned formula for computing the one-half month salary. Since Pedro was paid according to the "boundary" system, he is not entitled to the 13th month 32 and the service incentive pay; hence, his retirement pay should be computed on the sole basis of his salary. It is accepted that taxi drivers do not receive fixed wages, but retain only those sums in excess of the "boundary" or fee they pay to the owners or operators of their vehicles. Thus, the basis for computing their benefits should be the average daily income. In this case, the CA found that Pedro was earning an average of five hundred pesos (P500) per day. We thus compute his retirement pay as follows: P500 x 15 days x 14 years of service equals P105,000. 139 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 which amount was determined by the trustee bank (Bank of the Philippine Island) in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. 1988. but an employee-participant may volunteer to contribute a percentage of his basic monthly salary to the fund. not on her notional salary. she was directed to return to Manila and resume her post by December 15. 14. hired Marilyn Odchimar Gerlach as its local correspondent. Petitioner was automatically covered by the Plan by reason of her age and length of service." The first paragraph of the above provisions deals with the retirement age of an employee established in (a) a collective bargaining agreement or (b) other applicable employment contract. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Issue: WON petitioner is allowed to claim for additional retirement benefits. " 140 Ma. On October 12. However. Phils. Article 287 of the Labor Code reads: Article 287. The first type is compulsory and contributory in character. Retirement benefits. She worked in Reuters Philippines up to December 23. Petitioner received her retirement benefits under the Plan in the amount of P79. Any employee may be retired upon reaching the retirement age established in the collective bargaining agreement or other applicable employment contract. Nonetheless.. Phils. respondent Reuters implemented a local Retirement Benefit Plan (Plan) for its Philippine-hired employees. (Reuters).University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Gerlach vs Reuters Ltd. the employee shall be entitled to receive such retirement benefits as he may have earned under existing laws and any collective bargaining agreement and other agreements. The second type is one set up by agreement between the employer and the employees in collective bargaining agreements or other agreements between them. 1988. In case of retirement. The computation was based on her notional salary. contending that her retirement benefits must be computed on the basis of her actual salary abroad. (2005) G. expressly as in an announced company policy or impliedly as in a failure to contest the employee's claim for retirement benefits. Held: The petitioner is not entitled to the additional retirement benefits. provides: "Sec. The Plan is funded by the company. (b) a collective bargaining or (c) other agreements.04. 28 It is this third type of retirement scheme which covers respondent's Plan. Section 14(a). she opted not to contribute to the fund. (a) An employee who is retired pursuant to a bona fide retirement plan or in accordance with the applicable individual or collective agreement or established employer policy shall be entitled to all the retirement benefits provided therein . On October 1983.228. There are three kinds of retirement schemes. she questioned the amount she received as well as her entitlement to a disturbance grant. a company engaged in news dissemination with offices worldwide.R. Retirement. 148542 Facts: Reuters Limited. The second paragraph deals with the retirement benefits to be received by a retiring employee which he may have earned under (a) an existing law. However.. 1983. The third type is one that is voluntarily given by the employer. Rule 1 of the Rules and Regulations Implementing Book VI of the Labor Code. petitioner's theory that the computation of her retirement benefits should be based on her basic annual salary while stationed abroad is untenable. under the Plan. Respondent also informed petitioner of the amount of her notional Philippine salary whenever she was transferred to her next overseas assignment or when there were increases in her salary. 141 Ma. It follows that the amount of retirement benefits of a retiring employee assigned abroad is based on his notional salary. In fact. the company's contribution to the fund is 10% of the basic monthly salary of each participant. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Significantly. respondent was able to prove that it has been its practice worldwide that the notional salary of an employee is its basis in computing its contribution to the retirement plan for a local employee detailed abroad. in the instant case. which is in accord with the above provision. The Court ruled that petitioner's retirement benefits must be based on her notional Philippine salary. respondent based petitioner's retirement benefits on its Plan and established policy. respondent apprised her that the company's contribution to the Plan is based on her notional Philippine salary. It is very clear that from the very start of her first assignment overseas. both actual and notional.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Thus. Consequently. Issue: WON the pro-rated computation of the 13th and 14th month pays and other bonuses in question is valid and lawful. 145561 Facts: The case stems from the collective bargaining agreement between Honda and the respondent union that it granted the computation of 14th month pay as the same as 13th month pay. The amount equivalent to ½ of the employees basic salary shall be deducted from these bonuses.R. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Held: The pro-rated computation is invalid.. This issue was submitted to voluntary arbitration where it ruled that the company s implementation of the pro-rated computation is invalid. vs Samahan ng Malayang Manggagawa sa Honda (2005) G. 142 Ma. The union filed a notice of strike on the ground of unfair labor practice for deadlock. Honda issued a memorandum of the new computation of the 13th month and 14th month pay to be granted to all its employees whereby the 31 long strikes shall be considered unworked days for purpose of computing the said benefits. Honda shall pay the amount. Inc. The length of time where it should be considered in practice is not being laid down by jurisprudence. The payment of the 13th month pay in full month payment by Honda has become an established practice. the parties started to re-negotiate for the fourth and fifth years of the CBA. Honda continues the practice of granting financial assistance covered every December each year of not less than 100% of the basic salary. DOLE assumed jurisdiction over the case and certified it to the NLRC for compulsory arbitration. with a commitment that in the event that the strike is declared legal. The court also rules that the withdrawal of the benefit of paying a full month salary for 13th month pay shall constitute a violation of Article 100 of the Labor Code.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Honda Phils. In the latter part of 1998. The striking employees were ordered to return to work and management to accept them back under the same terms prior to the strike staged. The respondent union opposed the pro-rated computation of bonuses. The pro-rated computation of Honda as a company policy has not ripened into a company practice and it was the first time they implemented such practice. The voluntary act of the employer cannot be unilaterally withdrawn without violating Article 100 of the Labor Code.. All full-time Filipino employees of the University will automatically become members of the Plan.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Jaculbe vs Siliman University (2007) G. however. 1993. informed petitioner that she was approaching her 35th year of service with the university and was due for automatic retirement on November 18. The rules and regulations of the plan show that participation therein was not voluntary at all. even if rehired. Rule IV. Membership in the Plan starts on the day a person is hired on a full-time basis by the University. On November 15. petitioner filed a complaint in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for termination of service with preliminary injunction and/or restraining order. stated: SECTION 1 MEMBERSHIP. 1993. Respondent required certain documents in connection with petitioner s impending retirement. at which time she would be 57 years old. on contributions. stated: 143 Ma. that those who have retired from the University. Article 287 of the Labor Code provides: Retirement . Termination of membership in the Plan shall be upon the death of the member. citing company policy. Issue: WON the respondent s retirement plan imposing automatic retirement after 35 years of service contravenes the security of tenure clause in the 1987 Constitution and the Labor Code. In a letter in December 1992. A brief exchange of letters between petitioner and respondent followed. A member who continues to serve the University cannot withdraw from the Plan. on membership. are no longer eligible for membership in the Plan. resignation or termination of employee s contract by the University. the Labor Code permits employers and employees to fix the applicable retirement age at below 60 years. Rule III of the plan. Held: Retirement plans allowing employers to retire employees who are less than the compulsory retirement age of 65 are not per se repugnant to the constitutional guaranty of security of tenure. 156934 Facts: Sometime in 1958.R. SECTION 3 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . through its Human Resources Development Office. This was pursuant to respondent s retirement plan for its employees which provided that its members could be automatically retired upon reaching the age of 65 or after 35 years of uninterrupted service to the university. Meanwhile. provided. By its express language.Any employee may be retired upon reaching the retirement age established in the collective bargaining agreement or other applicable employment contract. respondent. But respondent stood pat on its decision to retire her. Petitioner emphatically insisted that the compulsory retirement under the plan was tantamount to a dismissal and pleaded with respondent to be allowed to work until the age of 60 because this was the minimum age at which she could qualify for SSS pension. petitioner began working for respondent s university medical center as a nurse. or retirement from the University. SECTION 2 EFFECTIVITY OF MEMBERSHIP. a member. given that the only way she could refrain from doing so was to resign or lose her job. The truth was that petitioner had no choice but to participate in the plan. Thus. in the rule on contributions.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests The Plan is contributory. based on his pay while on leave. Provided[. after reaching a certain age agrees to sever his or her employment with the former. the only way she could have ceased to be a member thereof was if she stopped working for respondent altogether. To this shall be added a 5% deduction from the basic salaries of the faculty and staff. Retirement is the result of a bilateral act of the parties. the repeated use of the word shall ineluctably pointed to the conclusion that employees had no choice but to contribute to the plan (even when they were on leave). A member on leave with the University approval shall continue paying.] further that if a member has no sufficient source of income while on leave may pay within six months after his reinstatement. a voluntary agreement between the employer and the employee whereby the latter. Stated conversely. The University shall set aside an amount equivalent to 3½% of the basic salaries of the faculty and staff. It is axiomatic that employer and employee do not stand on equal footing. who has been on leave without pay should pay his contributions based on his salary plus the University s contributions while on leave or the full amount within one month immediately after the date of his reinstatement. Furthermore. having terminated petitioner solely on the basis of a provision of a retirement plan which was not freely assented to by her. his leave without pay should pay his contributions to the Plan. respondent was guilty of illegal dismissal. employees are free to accept the employer s offer to lower the retirement age if they feel they can get a better deal with the retirement plan presented by the employer. a situation which often causes an employee to act out of need instead of any genuine acquiescence to the employer. In fact. This was clearly just such an instance. However. 144 Ma. An employer is free to impose a retirement age less than 65 for as long as it has the employees consent. It was through no voluntary act of her own that petitioner became a member of the plan. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and Benedicto executed a Compromise Agreement. shares and interests in petitioner station to the government. That the retiring official or employee has been in the service of the same employer for at least ten (10) years and is not less than fifty years of age at the time of his retirement: Provided. petitioner refused and instead informed them via a letter that their differentials would be used to offset the tax due on their retirement benefits in accordance with the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). Revenue Regulation No. provides: (b) Pensions.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. On November 1990. where contributions are made by such employer for officials or employees. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Corsini R. and took over its management and operations from its owner. However. 162775 Facts: On various dates. Otadoy. Roberto Benedicto. (b) Exclusions from gross income.. funds and other assets. as Studio Technician. In the meantime. the government sequestered the station. However. as Traffic Clerk. Lagahit. gratuity. any purpose other than for the exclusive benefit of the said official and employees.00 salary increase was given to all employees of the company. vs Amarilla (2006) G. the term "reasonable private benefit plan" means a pension. That the benefits granted under this subparagraph shall be availed of by an official or employee only once. Held: The retirement benefits of respondents are part of their gross income subject to taxes. further.R. effective July 1994. and (iii) The retiring official or employee shall not have previously availed of the privilege under the retirement benefit plan of the same or another employer. Pensions. In the meantime. or both. the four employees retired from the company and received.) Retirement benefits received by officials and employees of private firms whether individuals or corporate. petitioner employed the following persons at its Cebu station: Candido C. gratuities. except the following: (1) Retirement benefit received by official and employees of private firms under a reasonable private benefit plan maintained by the employer. Anatolio G. The following items shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under this Title: (7) Retirement benefits. Section 28 (b) (7) (A) of the NIRC of 1986 23 provides: Gross Income. retirement and separation pay constitute compensation subject to withholding tax. Quiñones. where Benedicto transferred and assigned all his rights. a P1. as Collector and Noemi Amarilla.500. the government and Benedicto entered into a temporary agreement under which the latter would retain its management and operation. 12-86. For purposes of this subsection. Issue: WON the retirement benefits of respondents are part of their gross income. in accordance with a reasonable private benefit plan maintained by the employer: Provided. on staggered basis. pensions. the implementing rules of the foregoing provisions. A. retirements and separation pay. including its properties. 145 Ma. their retirement benefits under the 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement between petitioner and the bargaining unit of its employees. and wherein it is provided in said plan that at no time shall any part of the corpus or income of the fund be used for. stock bonus or profit-sharing plan maintained by an employer for the benefit of some or all of his officials or employees. or be diverted to. (ii) The retiring official or employees must have been in the service of the same employer for at least ten (10) years and is not less than fifty (50) years of age at the time of retirement. etc. in December 1986. On March 1986. Jr. current and retired. when the four retirees demanded theirs. for the purpose of distributing to such officials and employees the earnings and principal of the fund thus accumulated. if the following requirements are met: (i) The retirement plan must be approved by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. the taxpayer is burdened to prove the concurrence of the following elements: (1) a reasonable private benefit plan is maintained by the employer. and (4) the benefit had been availed of only once. a fraction of at least six (6) months shall be considered as one whole year. Moreover. the COMPANY shall not terminate the employment of the subject supervisor unless there is a certification by a competent public health authority that the disease is of such a nature or at such stage that it can not be cured within a period of six (6) months even with proper medical treatment. In which case. Section 5: Loyalty Recognition The COMPANY shall recognize the services of the supervisor/director who have reached the following number of years upon retirement by granting him/her a plaque of appreciation and any lasting gift: 10 years but below 15 years (P3.000. 146 Ma. Section 2: Optional Retirement Any covered employee. who has rendered at least five (5) years of service to the COMPANY may voluntarily retire and the COMPANY agrees to pay Long Service Pay to said covered employee in accordance with the following schedule: LENGTH OF SERVICE RETIREMENT BENEFITS 5-9 years 15 days for every year of service 10-14 years 30 days for every year of service 15-19 years 50 days for every year of service 20 years or more 60 days for every year of service Section 3: Fraction of a Year In computing the retirement under Section 1 and 2 of this Article. Thus: ARTICLE VIII RETIREMENT Section 1: Compulsory Retirement Any employee who has reached the age of Fifty Five (55) years shall be retired from the COMPANY and shall be paid a retirement pay in accordance with the following schedule: LENGTH OF SERVICE RETIREMENT BENEFITS= 1 year-below 5 yrs. for the retirement benefits to be exempt from the withholding tax.00) worth. Section 4: Severance of Employment Due to Illness When a supervisor suffers from disease and/or permanent disability and her/his continued employment is prohibited by law or prejudicial to her/his health of the health of his co-employees. The supervisor may be separated upon payment by the COMPANY of separation pay pursuant to law. whichever is higher. regardless of age. unless the supervisor falls within the purview of either Sections 1 or 2 hereof. (2) the retiring official or employee has been in the service of the same employer for at least 10 years. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . (3) the retiring official or employee is not less than 50 years of age at the time of his retirement. the COMPANY may exercise the option of extending the employment of an employee. the retirement benefits indicated therein shall apply.00) worth. 15 years but below 20 year (P7.compulsory and optional.000. Article VIII of the 1993 CBA provides for two kinds of retirement plans .000. 20 years and more (P10.00) worth.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Thus. 15 days for every year of service 5 years-9 years 30 days for every year of service 10 years-14 years 50 days for every year of service 15 years-19 years 65 days for every year of service 20 years or more 80 days for every year of service A supervisor who reached the age of Fifty (50) may at his/her option retire with the same retirement benefits provided above. the retirement benefits of respondents are taxable. there is no record that the 1993 CBA had been approved or was ever presented to the BIR. Liability for Tax. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The employer shall be liable for the withholding and remittance of the correct amount of tax required to be deducted and withheld under this Chapter. was obliged to withhold the taxes on said benefits and remit the same to the BIR. 147 Ma. Under Section 80 of the NIRC. as employer. petitioner. Section 80. such tax shall be collected from the employer together with the penalties or additions to the tax otherwise applicable in respect to such failure to withhold and remit. (A) Employer. Hence. If the employer fails to withhold and remit the correct amount of tax as required to be withheld under the provision of this Chapter.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Respondents were qualified to retire optionally from their employment with petitioner. Insisting that his retirement benefits and 13th month pay must be based on the average monthly salary of P42. the so-called commissions paid to or received by medical representatives of BoieTakeda Chemicals or by the rank and file employees of Philippine Fuji Xerox Co. or capacity for revenue production. service incentive leave pay.322. comprising a pre-determined percentage of the selling price of the goods sold by each salesman. the salesmen's commissions. he filed a complaint before the arbitration branch of the NLRC for retirement benefits.21. damages and attorney's fees. in Boie-Takeda. Thereafter. were excluded from the term basic salary because these were paid to the medical representatives and rank-and-file employees as productivity bonuses. National Labor Relations Commission. Medical representatives are not salesmen. Petitioner contends that the commissions form part of the basic salary. earned sick and vacation leaves. commissions paid by the Boie-Takeda Company to its medical representatives could not have been sales commissions in the same sense that Philippine Duplicators paid the salesmen their sales commissions. Instead. Inc. petitioner refused to accept the check issued by private respondent in the amount of P200. Further. v.22 basic salary and P31. nor profit-sharing payments nor any other fringe benefit but a portion of the salary structure which represents an automatic increment to the monetary value initially assigned to each unit of work rendered by a salesman.919. they do not effect any sale of any article at all. citing the case of Philippine Duplicators.R. In fine. Issue: WON the average monthly sales commission should be included in the computation of his retirement benefits and 13th month pay. in Philippine Duplicators that. tax refund. which are generally tied to the productivity. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .766.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Reyes vs NLRC (2007) G. Contrarily.. 1977. absences and tardiness. leave commissions. a position he held until his retirement on November 30.19. whether or not a commission forms part of the basic salary depends upon the circumstances or conditions for its payment. he received a letter regarding the computation of his separation pay. 13th month pay. This Court has held. Held: Average monthly sales commission should not be included in the computation of his retirement benefits and 13th month pay. were properly included in the term basic salary for purposes of computing the 13th month pay. He was eventually appointed as unit manager of Sales Department-South Mindanao District. 160233 Facts: Petitioner was employed as a salesman at private respondent's Grocery Division in Davao City on August 12.97 average monthly commission. which consists of P10. 1997. which indubitably are factual in nature for they will require a re-examination and calibration of the evidence on record.846. 148 Ma. Private respondent counters that petitioner knew that the overriding commission is not included in the basic salary because it had not been considered as such for a long time in the computation of the 13th month pay. wherein the Court held that commissions earned by salesmen form part of their basic salary. of a corporation and such bonuses closely resemble profit-sharing payments and have no clear direct or necessary relation to the amount of work actually done by each individual employee. The salesmen's commission are not overtime payments. financial assistance. the "overriding commissions" paid to him by Universal Robina Corp. we rule in the negative. the commissions which petitioner received were not part of his salary structure but were profit-sharing payments and had no clear.22 as salary corresponding to his position as Unit Manager. Only when the salesmen were able to collect from the sale transactions can petitioner receive the commissions. Unless the parties provide for broader inclusions. any commission which they receive is certainly not the basic salary which measures the standard or amount of work of complainant as Unit Manager. a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one whole year. if no collections were made by the salesmen. shall be included in determining the retirement pay. Therefore. the additional payments made to petitioner were not in fact sales commissions but rather partook of the nature of profitsharing business. they are properly excluded in computing retirement pay. However. 149 Ma. an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more. sales commissions which are effectively an integral portion of the basic salary structure of an employee. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .919. Reyes was receiving a monthly sum of P10. Any employee may be retired upon reaching the retirement age established in the collective bargaining agreement or other applicable employment contract In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of employees in the establishment. otherwise known as The New Retirement Law. but not beyond sixty five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory retirement age. they do not effect any sale of article at all. overtime pay or profit-sharing statements. as amended by Republic Act No. Unit Managers are not salesmen.22 as the commissions he received are in the form of profit-sharing payments specifically excluded by the foregoing rules. then petitioner would receive no commissions at all. 22 provides: Retirement. Case law has it that when these earnings and remuneration are closely akin to fringe benefits. Conversely. as correctly ruled by public respondent NLRC.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests As to the main issue whether petitioner's commissions be considered in the computation of his retirement benefits and 13th month pay. could not have been 'sales commissions' in the same sense that Philippine Duplicators paid its salesmen sales commissions. Accordingly. who has served at least five (5) years in the said establishment. direct or necessary relation to the amount of work he actually performed. At bar. may retire and shall be entitled to retirement pay equivalent to at least one half (1/2) month salary for every year of service. which pronounced that commissions are additional pay that does not form part of the basic salary. the term one half (1/2) month salary shall mean fifteen (15) days plus one twelfth (1/12) of the 13th month pay and the cash equivalent of not more than five (5) days of service incentive leaves. Article 287 of the Labor Code. Petitioner filed for optional retirement upon reaching the age of 60. Aside from the fact that as unit manager petitioner did not enter into actual sale transactions. Thus. petitioner Rogelio J. applies to the present case. from the foregoing. Certainly. 7641. The collection made by the salesmen from the sale transactions was the profit of private respondent from which petitioner had a share in the form of a commission. but merely supervised the salesmen under his control.919. the doctrine in Boie-Takeda Chemicals and Philippine Fuji Xerox Corporation. In fine. the disputed commissions were not regularly received by him. However. the basis in computing his retirement benefits is his latest salary rate of P10. premium for works performed on rest days and special holidays. Under a later set of Supplementary Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 851 issued by the then Labor Secretary Blas Ople. As provided for by Art 87 of the Labor Code. Inc. 150 Ma. b) profit sharing payments. 174. pay for regular holidays and night differentials. it is clear that overtime pay is an additional compensation other than and added to the regular wage or basic salary. earnings and other remunerations are excluded as part of the basic salary and in the computation of the 13th-month pay. Calamba. In the same manner that payment for overtime work and work performed during special holidays is considered as additional compensation apart and distinct from an employee's regular wage or basic salary. The Labor Arbiter (LA) handling the consolidated cases. an overload pay. overtime pay. may not be considered as part of a teacher's regular or basic salary. (respondent) for collection of various monetary claims due its members. for reason of which such is categorically excluded from the definition of basic salary under the Supplementary Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 851. The all-embracing phrase "earnings and other remunerations" which are deemed not part of the basic salary includes within its meaning payments for sick. Issue: WON the pay of the faculty members for teaching overloads should be included as basis in the computation of their 13th month pay? Held: Teaching overload may not be considered part of basic salary.R. Under the Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 851. denied and dismissed the respective complaints. because it is being paid for additional work performed in excess of the regular teaching load. 156225 Facts: The Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association (petitioner) filed a complaint against Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . As such they are deemed not part of the basic salary and shall not be considered in the computation of the 13th-month pay. owing to its very nature and definition.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association vs NLRC (1997) G. vacation. 1975. the following compensations are deemed not part of the basic salary: a) cost-of-living allowances granted pursuant to PD 525 and Letter of Instruction No. c) all allowances and monetary benefits which are not considered or integrated as part of the regular basic salary of the employee at the time of the promulgation of the Decree on Dec 16. or maternity leaves. 142399 Facts: In 1987. PAL informed PALEA that rank-and-file employees who were regularized after 30th of April 1988 were not entitled to the 13th month pay as they were already given their Christmas bonuses on December 9. one of the issues passed upon by the Court was whether or not an employer who was already paying Christmas bonus pursuant to a CBA. Respondent PALEA assailed the implementation of the said guideline on the ground that all employees of PAL. while the Christmas bonus is evidently and distinctly a separate benefit. regular or non-regular. The Labor Arbiter. is distinguished from the 13thmonth pay. 151 Ma. The 13th month pay. Part of said agreement required PAL to pay its rank-and-file employees 13th month pay and Christmas bonus. As it had willfully and intentionally agreed to under the terms of the CBA. must be paid their 13th month pay. petitioner PAL must pay its regular and non-regular employees who are members of the bargaining unit represented by respondent PALEA their 13th month pay or mid-year bonus separately from and in addition to their Christmas bonus. for which reason it was denominated as the mid-year bonus. PAL released a guideline stating that the only employees eligible for payment of 13th month pay are those ground employees in the general payroll who are regular as of April 30. petitioner PAL agreed to pay its employees 1) the 13th month pay or the mid-year bonus. In United CMC Textile Workers Union v. petitioner PAL and respondent and PALEA entered into a CBA covering the period of 1986-1989. was incorporated into the 1986-1989 CBA between respondent PALEA and petitioner PAL without any condition. represented by respondent PALEA. equivalent to one month current basic pay. equivalent to one month current basic pay as of November 30. Airlines Employees Association (2008) G. In the case under consideration. 1988 per the Implementing Rules of PD 851. prior to the payment of the 13th month pay. apart from the 13th month pay. Held: The 13th month pay or mid-year bonus can be equated to the Christmas bonus. 1988. and 2) the Christmas bonus. 851. is explicitly covered or provided for as the mid-year bonus in the CBA.Finding that the intention of the parties to the CBA was that the Christmas bonus was meant to be on top of the 13th month pay.R. the only logical inference that could be derived therefrom is that petitioner PAL intended to give the members of the bargaining unit. It must be stressed that in the 1986-1989 CBA. was still bound to pay the 13th month pay pursuant to Presidential Decree No. due yearly in May. 1988. In 1988. and unilaterally and arbitrarily declare that for non-regular employees. Petitioner PAL may not be allowed to brush off said distinction. guaranteed by Presidential Decree No. their Christmas bonus is the same as or equivalent to the 13th month pay. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The 13th month pay. The Christmas bonus. In response thereto. 851 which provides that A bonus under the CBA is an obligation created by the contract between the management and workers while the 13th month pay is mandated by the law . payable in December of every year. the Court ordered the employer to pay the employees both.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Philippine Airlines Inc. a Christmas bonus over and above its legally mandated obligation to grant the 13th month pay. Issue: Whether the 13th month pay or mid-year bonus can be equated to the Christmas bonus. Others not falling in said category shall receive their 13th month pay on or before December 24. Such being the case. the provision for the payment of the Christmas bonus. shall be paid in December. vs Phil. shall be paid in advance in May consistent with the existing practice while the Christmas bonus. Issue: WON the grant of 13th month pay. or even as short as two (2) years. whereas respondent is the labor union of petitioner s rank and file employees. 1999. petitioner paid the 13th month pay. where an employer had freely and continuously included in the computation of the 13th month pay those items that were expressly excluded by the law.R. they filed a complaint before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). consequently. Inc. petitioner had adopted a policy of freely. According to respondent. True. vs Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Arco Metal NAFLU (2008) G. In Sevilla Trading Company v. bonus. et al. three (3) years. claiming that on several occasions petitioner did not prorate the payment of the same benefits to seven (7) employees who had not served for the full 12 months. voluntarily and consistently granting full benefits to its employees regardless of the length of service rendered. 1993. Sometime in December 2003.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Arco Metal Products Co. et al. and leave encashment of three union members in amounts proportional to the service they actually rendered in a year. Associated Labor Unions. Thus in DavaoFruits Corporation v. diminished. which is less than a full twelve (12) months. discontinued or eliminated by the employer. 152 Ma. reduced. Jurisprudence has not laid down any rule specifying a minimum number of years within which a company practice must be exercised in order to constitute voluntary company practice. we held that the act which was favorable to the employees though not conforming to law had thus ripened into a practice and could not be withdrawn. but it was an established practice nonetheless. supported only by an affidavit of its manufacturing group head. and leave encashment in full regardless of actual service rendered constitutes voluntary employer practice and. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .. Said mandate in turn is the basis of Article 4 of the Labor Code which states that all doubts in the implementation and interpretation of this Code. Thus. Semana. Respondent protested the prorated scheme. bonus. whether or not the prorated payment of the said benefits constitute diminution of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code. we ruled that the employer s act of including non-basic benefits in the computation of the 13th month pay was a voluntary act and had ripened into a company practice which cannot be peremptorily withdrawn. including its implementing rules and regulations shall be rendered in favor of labor. it can be six (6) years. the prorated payment violates the rule against diminution of benefits under Article 100 of the Labor Code. 170734 Facts: Petitioner is a company engaged in the manufacture of metal products. discontinued or eliminated. 1994. In the years 1992. 2002 and 2003. Jurisprudence is replete with cases which recognize the right of employees to benefits which were voluntarily given by the employer and which ripened into company practice.. The principle of non-diminution of benefits is founded on the Constitutional mandate to "protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare and to afford labor full protection. Held: Any benefit and supplement being enjoyed by employees cannot be reduced. there were only a total of seven employees who benefited from such a practice. Thus. diminished. Petitioner cannot shirk away from its responsibility by merely claiming that it was a mistake or an error. vs Caballeda (2009) G. the aforementioned requisites were adequately satisfied. agrees to sever his or her employment with the former.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Universal Sugar Milling Corp. were allegedly forced to retire by URSUMCO. while the set minimum age for optional retirement is 60 years. John Gokongwei. There should be little doubt about the fact that the law can apply to labor contracts still existing at the time the statute has taken effect. a form of illegal dismissal. warranting the retroactive application of R. and that its benefits can be reckoned not only from the date of the law's enactment but retroactively to the time said employment contracts have started. in the absence of such agreement. Agripino and Alejandro having reached the age of 60. 1997. Later on. The law has been enacted as a labor protection measure and as a curative statute that absent a retirement plan devised by. When respondents were compulsorily retired from the service. an employer can respond. President of URSUMCO issued a memorandum establishing the company policy on Compulsory Retirement. Issues: RA 7641 can be given retroactive effect. Retirement is the result of a bilateral act of the parties. 287 of the Labor Code as amended. The age of retirement is primarily determined by the existing agreement between the employer and the employees. was in effect. and (2) the claimant had complied with the requirements for eligibility for such retirement benefits under the statute. In this case. to the financial wellbeing of workers during their twilight years soon following their life of labor. this Court imposed two (2) essential requisites in order that R. This doctrine has been repeatedly upheld and clarified in several cases. 1991. the retirement age shall be fixed by law. 7641 was enacted into law and it took effect on January 7. It merely provides that the retirement 153 Ma. on December 9. RA 7641 was already in full force and effect. thus. 7641 may be given retroactive effect: (1) the claimant for retirement benefits was still in the employ of the employer at the time the statute took effect. it may be stressed that the CBA does not per se specifically provide for the compulsory retirement age nor does it provide for an optional retirement plan. RA 7641 is undoubtedly a social legislation. or a voluntary grant from. Inc. 7641 in this case. 1997 while Alejandro Cadalin worked for URSUMCO as crane operation from 1976 up to June 15. after reaching a certain age. amending Article 287 of the Labor Code. 156644 Facts: Agripino Caballeda worked as welder for URSUMCO from March 1989 until June 23. a voluntary agreement between the employer and the employee whereby the latter. the legally mandated age for compulsory retirement is 65 years. Agripino filed a complaint for illegal dismissal because his compulsory retirement was in violation of the provisions of RA 7641 and. The petitioners failed to prove that the respondents did not comply with the requirements for eligibility under the law for such retirement benefits. However.R. whether or not Agripino Caballeda and Alejandro Cadalin voluntarily retired from the service. Under Art. 1991 shall be considered retired on May 31. In sum. Subsequently. 1992. vs. 1993. in part at least. Held: The issue of retroactivity has long been settled in the case of Enriquez Security Services. Pursuant thereto.. They both accepted their retirement benefits.A. All employees corporate-wide who attain 60 years of age on or before April 30. an agreement with.A. Jr. Cabotaje. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Republic Act No. tantamount to illegal dismissal. Respondents vigorously pursued this case all the way up to the Supreme Court. The Court understands that such a risk of not receiving anything whatsoever. To be precise. public policy. Absent any convincing proof of voluntariness in the submission of the documentary requirements and the execution of the quitclaim. Thus. can he receive anything at all. v. the Court has accepted the validity of quitclaims executed by employees if the employer is able to prove the following requisites: (1) the employee executes a deed of quitclaim voluntarily. being very well aware that it is going to take quite a while before he can recover whatever he is entitled to. In the absence of any provision on optional retirement in a collective bargaining agreement. the voluntariness of the respondents' retirement is the meat of the instant controversy. may do succumb to the same pressure. we cannot simply assume that respondents were not subjected to the very same pressure. because it is only after a protracted legal battle starting from the labor arbiter level. public order. the law looks with disfavor on quitclaims and releases by employees who have been inveigled or pressured into signing them by unscrupulous employers seeking to evade their legal responsibilities and frustrate just claims of employees. In exceptional cases. it is clear from the decisions of the LA. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . but not beyond 65 years. this is a manifestation that respondents had no intention of relinquishing their employment. The first takes place at age 65. In this case. In Becton Dickinson Phils.. petitioners failed to establish all the foregoing requisites. morals or good customs or prejudicial to a third person with a right recognized by law. wholly incompatible to petitioners' assertion that respondents voluntarily retired. Respondents did not voluntarily retire but were forced to retire.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests benefits accorded to an employee shall be in accordance with law. On the other hand. and (4) the contract is not contrary to law. only Alejandro was able to claim a partial amount of his retirement benefit. we must apply Art. The employee is confronted with the same dilemma of whether signing a release and quitclaim and accept what the company offers them. all the way to this Court. A quitclaim is ineffective in barring recovery of the full measure of a worker's rights. other employment contract. (3) the consideration of the quitclaim is credible and reasonable. constitutes enough pressure upon anyone who is asked to sign a release and quitclaim in exchange of some amount of money which may be way below what he may be entitled to based on company practice and policy or by law. and the acceptance of benefits therefrom does not amount to estoppel. Agripino was actually and totally deprived of his retirement benefit. Thus. provided he has served at least five years in the establishment concerned. 154 Ma. (2) there is no fraud or deceit on the part of any of the parties. or employer's retirement plan. an employee may optionally retire upon reaching the age of 60 years or more. Inc. National Labor Relations Commission. Indubitably. 287 of the Labor Code which provides for two types of retirement: (a) compulsory and (b) optional. or refusing to sign and walk out without receiving anything. Generally. Without doubt. That prerogative is exclusively lodged in the employee. while the second is primarily determined by the collective bargaining agreement or other employment contract or employer's retirement plan. They are frowned upon as contrary to public policy. NLRC and CA that petitioners are still liable to pay Alejandro the differential on his retirement benefits. we held: There is no nexus between intelligence. coupled with the probability of not immediately getting any gainful employment or means of livelihood in the meantime. or even the position which the employee held in the company when it concerns the pressure which the employer may exert upon the free will of the employee who is asked to sign a release and quitclaim. University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests 155 Ma. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . S. Lt. base in the Philippines could be served therein only with the permission of the Base Commander. The provisions and prevailing jurisprudence in Civil Procedure may be applied by analogy to NLRC proceedings (Revised Rules of the NLRC. and obtain the server's affidavit for filing with the appropriate court. III of the NLRC. the hearings and judgment rendered by the Labor Arbiter are null and void. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Summonses and other processes issued by Philippine courts and administrative agencies for United States Armed Forces personnel within any U. They. does not constitute a waiver of the lack of summons and a voluntary submission of her person to the jurisdiction of the Labor Arbiter. He found both Lt. Frankhauser. a member of the United States Air Force (USAF) assigned to oversee the dormitories of the Third Aircraft Generation Squadron (3 AGS) at Clark Air Base. however. likewise. but these grounds were discussed in relation to and as a result of the issue of the lack of jurisdiction. Petitioner appealed to the NLRC claiming that the Labor Arbiter never acquired jurisdiction over her person because no summons or copies of the complaints. San Fernando. It is basic that the Labor Arbiter cannot acquire jurisdiction over the person of the respondent without the latter being served with summons. against petitioner Larkins. Pampanga. Respondents do not dispute petitioner's claim that no summons was ever issued and served on her. If he withholds giving his permission. Sec. that they sent notices of the hearings to her Notices of hearing are not summonses. Pampanga. he should instead designate another person to serve the process. She may have raised in her pleadings grounds other than lack of jurisdiction. Col. He instead. however. to pay private respondents' separation pay. in the case at bench. Col.. appealed to the NLRC and participated in the oral argument before the said body. Frankhauser and not the Base Commander. In the absence of service of summons or a valid waiver thereof. Petitioner and Lt. private respondents filed a complaint with the Regional Arbitration Branch No. both original and amended. Frankhauser and petitioner "guilty of illegal dismissal" and ordered them to reinstate private respondents with full back wages." petitioner argued that the attempts to serve her with notices of hearing were not in accordance with the provisions of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement of 1947. failed to submit their position paper. petitioner set forth only one issue and that is the absence of jurisdiction over her 156 Ma. 1988. or if that is no longer possible. 92432 Facts: On August 12. In effect. Frankhauser failed to answer the complaint and to appear at the hearings. Held: No jurisdiction was ever acquired by the Labor Arbiter over the case and the person of petitioner and the judgment rendered is null and void. which the Labor Arbiter deemed a waiver on their part to do so. They contend. Issue: WON the questioned resolutions are null and void. Respondent Labor Arbiter did not follow said procedure. Rule I. This. Col.R. the Labor Arbiter rendered a decision granting all the claims of private respondents. 3). Col. Petitioner. In her "Supplemental Memorandum to Memorandum of Appeal.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests T/Sgt. addressed the summons to Lt. On the basis of private respondents' position paper and supporting documents. Larkins vs NLRC (1995) G. were ever served on her. and Cunanan (the new contractor ) for illegal dismissal and underpayment of wages. S. operated and maintained the dormitories at Clark Air Base for members of the USAF. However. on the assumption that petitioner validly waived service of summons on her. The employer of private respondents. Col. but by the United States government. Government which. There is no allegation from the pleadings filed that Lt. Be that as it may. then this appearance is not equivalent to service of summons. Col.S. Frankhauser and petitioner in their personal capacities. Col. Private respondents were dismissed from their employment by Lt. private respondents named 3 AGS as one of the respondents in their complaint. If an appearance before the NLRC is precisely to question the jurisdiction of the said agency over the person of the defendant. Col. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Frankhauser acting for and in behalf of the U. such awards will have to be satisfied not by Lt. Government. was the U. still the case could not prosper. by right of sovereign power. 157 Ma. Frankhauser and petitioner were being sued in their personal capacities for tortious acts. as found by NLRC. Indeed. assuming that jurisdiction was acquired over the United States Government and the monetary claims of private respondents proved. The employer of private respondents was neither Lt.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests person. Frankhauser nor petitioner. 650." Then too. 6640 and 6727. adhering to the principle that substantial justice is better served by allowing the appeal on the merits threshed out by the NLRC. In YBL (Your Bus Line) v. requiring a cash or surety bond in the amount equivalent to the monetary award in the judgment appealed from for the appeal to be perfected. which provides: "In case of a judgment involving a monetary award.345. The petitioners filed a Motion for Reconsideration alleging it is not in a viable financial condition to post a cash bond nor to pay the annual premium of P700. claiming salary differentials under Republic Act Nos.R.082." We have given a liberal interpretation to this provision. as amended. the petitioners filed their Notice and Memorandum of Appeal with a Real Estate Bond consisting of land and various improvements therein worth P102. an appeal by the employer may be perfected only upon the posting of a cash or surety bond issued by a reputable bonding company duly accredited by the Commission in the amount equivalent to the monetary award in the judgment appealed from. the NLRC dismissed petitioners' appeal. a complaint was filed by the private respondents. or even evade. 1104419 Facts: Consequently. Inc. their obligation to satisfy their employees' just and lawful claims. that the lawmakers intended the posting of a cash or surety bond by the employer to be the exclusive means by which an employer's appeal may be perfected. may be considered a jurisdictional requirement. 158 Ma. correction of the wage distortion and the payment of salaries for Saturdays and Sundays under Policy Instruction No.448. Held: Yes. nevertheless. as amended by Republic Act No. Within the reglementary period for appeal. v. 54. The requirement is intended to discourage employers from using an appeal to delay. National Labor Relations Commission we held: "The intention of the lawmakers to make the bond an indispensable requisite for the perfection of an appeal by the employer is underscored by the provision that an appeal by the employer may be perfected "only upon the posting of a cash or surety bond. requires the posting of a cash or surety bond. Issue: WON in perfecting an appeal to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) a property bond is excluded by the two forms of appeal bond cash or surety as enumerated in Article 223 of the Labor Code.000. Petitioners' Motion for Reconsideration was also denied by the NLRC in a resolution dated 7 June 1993." The word "only" makes it perfectly clear. in Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative.00 for a surety bond. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . 6715.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests UERM Memorial Medical Center vs NLRC (1997) G. as amended by Republic Act No. The private respondents moved to dismiss the appeal on the ground that Article 223 of the Labor Code. 6715.56 with a warning that failure to do so would cause the dismissal of the appeal. The applicable law is Article 223 of the Labor Code. On 6 October 1992. the Court finds and so holds that the foregoing requirement of the law should be given a liberal interpretation. NLRC we ruled: "x x x that while Article 223 of the Labor Code. represented by the Federation of Free Workers (FFW). The NLRC directed petitioners to post a cash or surety bond of P17. Labor Arbiter Nieves de Castro sustained the private respondents except for their claim of wage distortion. however.650. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the judgment involved is more than P17 million and its precipitate execution can adversely affect the existence of petitioner medical center. especially since petitioner disputes the allegation that private respondent was illegally dismissed. The judgment in favor of private respondent is only a little more than P17 million. Likewise." We reiterate this policy which stresses the importance of deciding cases on the basis of their substantive merit and not on strict technical rules. it would be prudent for us to look into the merits of the case. 159 Ma. the issues involved are not insignificant and they deserve a full discourse by our quasi-judicial and judicial authorities.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Considering. We are also confident that the real property bond posted by the petitioners sufficiently protects the interests of private respondents should they finally prevail.345. that the current policy is not to strictly follow technical rules but rather to take into account the spirit and intention of the Labor Code. It is not disputed that the real property offered by petitioners is worth P102. In the case at bar. we are of the opinion that Labor Arbiter Arthur L. Held: The petition lacks merit.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Philtranco Services vs NLRC (1998) G. 1989. assigned. we held that: Section 1. The case was subsequently assigned to Labor Arbiter Cornelio L. Amansec was correct in concluding that Manila could be considered part of the complainant s territorial workplace. as stated earlier. allowing a different venue when the interests of substantial justice demand a different one. this Court has previously declared that the question of venue essentially pertains to the trial and relates more to the convenience of the parties rather than upon the substance and merits of the case. having been absent without leave from October 19 to November 20. Since the private respondent s regular place of assignment is the vessel MV Cotabato Princess which plies the Manila-Estancia-Iloilo-Zamboanga-Cotabato route. and based in Legaspi City. Sulpicio Lines. NLRC is exactly in point. that the complaint should have been lodged with the NLRC s Regional Arbitration Branch in Legaspi City. 160 Ma. Furthermore. provided the venue chosen is not altogether oppressive to the employer. as a driver of Philtranco. workplace shall be understood as the place or locality where the employee is regularly assigned when the cause of action arose. the worker may waive said benefit. Section 1(a). for purposes of venue. Issue: WON the NLRC committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction when it denied the motion of Philtranco to dismiss complaint based on improper venue. it is obvious that the filing of the complaint with the National Capital Region Arbitration Branch was proper. the aforesaid Section has been declared by this Court to be merely permissive. the Constitutional protection accorded to labor is a paramount and compelling factor. cited by Philtranco in support of its contention that venue of the illegal dismissal case filed by Nieva is improperly laid. petitioner and employer Philtranco filed a position paper with motion to dismiss. In any case. Philtranco presented its evidence to prove that Nieva had abandoned his work. Rule IV of the New Rules of Procedure of the NLRC. From the foregoing. As regards the first issue. vs. Rule IV of the 1990 NLRC Rules additionally provides that. this Court held that: This provision is obviously permissive. Thereafter. This being the case. Provisions on venue are intended to assure convenience for the plaintiff and his witnesses and to promote the ends of justice. Inc. speaks of the complainant/petitioner s workplace. Moreover. In fact. The motion to dismiss was denied by the labor arbiter. was assigned to the Legaspi City-Pasay City route. In Dayag vs. and so with the subsequent motions filed having the same argument. 1992.R. Manila being considered as part of Nieva s workplace by reason of his plying the Legaspi City-Pasay City route. NLRC. for the said section uses the word may. not only because Nieva was a resident thereof. Nieva. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . but also because the latter was hired. evidently showing that the rule is intended for the exclusive benefit of the worker. 124100 Facts: Private respondent Roberto Nieva filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and 13th month pay with the NLRC s National Capital Region Arbitration Branch in Manila. stating. In said case. Linsangan. On August 28. among other things. Held: NLRC decisions are appealable to the Court of Appeals. 1995. However. Issue: WON the decision of the NLRC are appealable to the Court of Appeals. 129 (Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980) and the present state of the law where there is no provision for appeals from the decision of the NLRC. so the latter took over the management of the business. Congress had intended to provide for judicial review of the adjudication of the NLRC in labor cases by the Supreme Court. 1996. The Court noted that there may have been an oversight in the course of the deliberations on R. The Court is. amending B. and with which the Court is particularly concerned here is that the special civil action for certiorari is within the concurrent original jurisdiction of this Court and the Court of Appeals. therefore. 442 (Labor Code of the Philippines) and B. 161 Ma. Consequently. The important distinction between them. but there was an inaccuracy in the term used for the intended mode of review. Martin s Funeral Home and in January 1996. there was no contract of employment executed between him and petitioner nor was his name included in the semi-monthly payroll. 130866 Facts: Private respondent alleges that he started working as Operations Manager of petitioner St.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests St. the intention of the Congress as expressed in the sponsorship speech on Senate Bill No.000. of the considered opinion that ever since appeals from the NLRC to the SC were eliminated. 129 to supposed appeals from the NLRC to the Supreme Court are interpreted and hereby declared to mean and refer to petitions for certiorari under Rule 65. As a consequence. On January 22.00. but would subvert. The use of the word appeal in relation thereto and in the instances we have noted could have been a lapsus plumae because appeals by certiorari and the original action for certiorari are both modes of judicial review addressed to the appellate courts. In view of the increasing number of labor disputes that find their way to the Supreme Court. The labor arbiter rendered a decision in favor of petitioner declaring that no employer-employee relationship existed between the parties and therefore his office had no jurisdiction over the case. all references in the amended Section 9 of B. the legislative intendment was that the special civil action for certiorari was and still is the proper vehicle for judicial review of decisions of the NLRC. he was dismissed from his employment for allegedly misappropriating P38. all such petitions should henceforth be initially filed in the Court of Appeals in strict observance of the doctrine on the hierarchy of courts as the appropriate forum for the relief desired. 1495.P. the mother of Amelita passed away. 7902.D. Petitioner on the other hand claims that private respondent was not its employee but only the uncle of Amelita Malabed. Amelita made some changes in the business operation and private respondent and his wife were no longer allowed to participate in the management thereof. the Court saw the need for reassessment of this procedural aspect. or an imprecision in the terminology used therein as from the records. Martin Funeral Homes vs NLRC (1998) G. Therefore. Martin Funeral Home on February 6.R. the legislative changes introduced over the years into the provisions of P.P. however.A. whereas to indulge in the assumption that appeals by certiorari to the SC are allowed would not subserve. the owner of petitioner St. 129. the latter filed a complaint charging that petitioner had illegally terminated his employment. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .P No. the respondents shall pay attorney s fees of ten (10) percent of the total award. the said complainants. LUDO failed to act on the request. this Voluntary Arbitrator finds the claims of the complainants meritorious and so hold that: a. an interest of twelve (12) percent per annum or one (1) percent per month shall be imposed to the award from the date of promulgation until fully paid if only to speed up the payment of these long over due CBA benefits deprived of the complaining workers. the award of benefits by the arbitrator was done in excess of jurisdiction. the whole arbitration process would be rendered purely academic and the law creating it inutile. Otherwise. vs Saornido (2003) G.61) as computed in "Annex A".707. d. 140690 Facts: On April 1992. In its decision dated April 18. b. Petitioner asserts that the arbitrator must confine its adjudication to those issues submitted by the parties for arbitration. 1997. and (2) CLAS is a labor-only contractor of petitioner. c. The parties accordingly executed a submission agreement raising the sole issue of the date of regularization of the workers for resolution by the Voluntary Arbitrator. respondents argue that the arbitrator is empowered to award the assailed benefits because notwithstanding the sole issue of the date of regularization. as listed in the Annex A. Hence. Petitioner contends that the appellate court gravely erred when it upheld the award of benefits which were beyond the terms of submission agreement. which in this case is the sole issue of the date of regularization of the workers. which was denied. respondent union entered into a collective bargaining agreement with LUDO which provides certain benefits to the employees. b) vacation leave & c) annual wage and salary increases during such period in the amount of FIVE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SIXTY ONE PESOS AND SIXTY ONE CENTAVOS (P5. all separation and/or retirement benefits shall be construed from the date of regularization aforementioned subject only to the appropriate government laws and other social legislation. On the matter of the benefits. LUDO filed a motion for reconsideration. Accordingly.R. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . are awarded a) sick leave. On appeal. Thus. 162 Ma.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Ludo & Luym Corp. the Voluntary Arbitrator ruled that: (1) the respondent employees were engaged in activities necessary and desirable to the business of petitioner. the Court of Appeals affirmed in toto the decision of the Voluntary Arbitrator. the 214 complainants. the amount of which vary according to the length of service rendered by the availing employee. standard companion issues on reliefs and remedies are deemed incorporated. shall be considered regular employees of the respondents six (6) months from the first day of service at CLAS. in view of the foregoing. It disposed of the case thus: WHEREFORE. being entitled to the CBA benefits during the regular employment. the union requested LUDO to include in its members period of service the time during which they rendered arrastre services to LUDO through the CLAS when they were not yet hired as regular rank-andfile employees so that they could get higher benefits..261. In due time. the matter was submitted for voluntary arbitration. Thereafter. NLRC. can possibly include money claims in one form or another. Accordingly.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Issue: WON a Voluntary Arbitrator can award benefits not claimed in the submission agreement. those cases that workers may file involving wage. moral. 3. rates of pay. 261. Unfair labor practice cases: 2. Held: Arbitrator can award benefits not claimed in the submission agreement. Articles 217. Art. that the jurisdiction of the Labor Arbiter and the Voluntary Arbitrator or Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators over the cases enumerated in the Labor Code. 261 and 262. vs. --. The Voluntary Arbitrator or panel of Voluntary Arbitrators shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide all unresolved grievances arising from the interpretation or implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and those arising from the interpretation or enforcement of company personnel policies referred to in the immediately preceding article. 262. If accompanied with a claim for reinstatement. Comparatively. even in the absence of stenographic notes. For purposes of this article. upon agreement of the parties. NLRC. 217. within thirty (30) calendar days after the submission of the case by the parties for decision without extension. compulsory arbitration has been defined both as "the process of settlement of labor disputes by a government agency which has the authority to investigate and to make an 163 Ma." In construing the above provisions. except those which are gross in character. Art.B. shall no longer be treated as unfair labor practice and shall be resolved as grievances under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Jurisdiction of Voluntary Arbitrators or panel of Voluntary Arbitrators. gross violations of Collective Bargaining Agreement shall mean flagrant and/or malicious refusal to comply with the economic provisions of such agreement. The Voluntary Arbitrator or panel of Voluntary Arbitrators.(a) Except as otherwise provided under this Code the Labor Arbiters shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide. whether agricultural or nonagricultural: 1. Inc. Liner. Jurisdiction over other labor disputes. its Regional Offices and the Regional Directors of the Department of Labor and Employment shall not entertain disputes. exemplary and other forms of damages arising from the employer-employee relations. violations of a Collective Bargaining Agreement. shall also hear and decide all other labor disputes including unfair labor practices and bargaining deadlocks. The pertinent provisions of the Labor Code. Termination disputes. 4. read: Art. hours of work and other terms and conditions of employment. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . we held in San Jose vs. grievances or matters under the exclusive and original jurisdiction of the Voluntary Arbitrator or panel of Voluntary Arbitrators and shall immediately dispose and refer the same to the Grievance Machinery or Voluntary Arbitration provided in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The jurisdiction of Voluntary Arbitrator or Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators and Labor Arbiters is clearly defined and specifically delineated in the Labor Code. Claims for actual. The Commission. Jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters and the Commission. the following cases involving all workers. in Reformist Union of R. the arbitrator in this instance can reasonable assume that his powers extended beyond giving a yes-or-no answer and included the power to reinstate him with or without back pay. to the certiorari jurisdiction of this Court. and as a mode of arbitration where the parties are compelled to accept the resolution of their dispute through arbitration by a third party. Thus. the Supreme Court stressed that "xxx the Voluntary Arbitrator had plenary jurisdiction and authority to interpret the agreement to arbitrate and to determine the scope of his own authority subject only. said arbitrator renders arbitration services provided for under labor laws. However. the issue of regularization should be viewed as two-tiered issue. assuming that the submission empowers the arbitrator to decide whether an employee was discharged for just cause. the ultimate question of whether respondent employees are entitled to higher benefits. viewed his authority as embracing not merely the determination of the abstract question of whether or not a performance bonus was to be granted but also. the arbitrator is expected to decide those questions expressly stated and limited in the submission agreement. It bears stressing that the underlying reason why this case arose is to settle. To require them to file another action for payment of such benefits would certainly undermine labor proceedings and contravene the constitutional mandate providing full protection to labor. While the submission agreement mentioned only the determination of the date or regularization. The Arbitrator. While a voluntary arbitrator is not part of the governmental unit or labor department s personnel. The succinct reasoning enunciated by the CA in support of its holding. 164 Ma. Generally. the amount thereof. By the same token. law and jurisprudence give the voluntary arbitrator enough leeway of authority as well as adequate prerogative to accomplish the reason for which the law on voluntary arbitration was created . Nevertheless. In one case. that the Voluntary Arbitrator in a labor controversy has jurisdiction to render the questioned arbitral awards. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the arbitrator can assume that he has the necessary power to make a final settlement since arbitration is the final resort for the adjudication of disputes. in a proper case. deserves our concurrence. once and for all.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests award which is binding on all the parties. as already indicated. thus: In general. the arbitrator is expected to decide only those questions expressly delineated by the submission agreement.speedy labor justice. the arbitrator can assume that he has the power to make a final settlement. since arbitration is the final resort for the adjudication of disputes. in the affirmative case. Petitioners also submitted to the NLRC folders consisting mostly of payrolls. and may review on appeal or certiorari as the law on the Rules of Court may provide final judgment and orders of lower courts.Unsatisfied. and cases in which only 165 Ma. which affirmed with modification the Labor Arbiter s ruling on January 28. the complainants were regular employees of petitioner Hanjin. Section 1. vs Court of Appeals (2006) G. premium pay for holiday and rest day. as well as resignation letters of others who were given monetary awards in the decision. the officer-in-charge of the project (herein petitioners). granting separation pay and attorney s fees to each of them. 165910 Facts: In April 1998. Held: Petitioner s recourse to this Court via Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court was inappropriate. prohibitions and mandamus. with prayer for temporary restraining order/preliminary injunction. 13th month pay.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Hanjin Engineering and Construction Co. Issue: WON petitioner s appeal under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court is proper. Petitioners moved to reconsider the decision.R. of the Constitution provides that judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such other courts as may be established by law. According to the Labor Arbiter.R. Ltd. The CA stressed that petitioners failed to refute the claim of the respondents that they were regular employees. seeking the annulment of the Decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G. 2000. the NLRC issued a Resolution partially granting petitioners motion. 2001. 67601 as well as the Resolution denying the motion for reconsideration thereof. before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . which the CA denied. Article VIII. holiday pay. On May 12. The NLRC dismissed the complaints of 34 complainants and awarded monetary benefits to the others. the CA dismissed the petition and affirmed the NLRC s ruling that the dismissed employees (respondents) were regular employees. 1998. SP No. The Court has original jurisdiction over petitions for certiorari. 712 employees filed complaints for illegal dismissal and for payment of benefits against Hanjin and Nam Hyun Kim. and service incentive leave would be computed after sufficient data were made available. Petitioners appended to their motion machine copies of some of the complainants employment contracts. as amended. Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to determine whether or not there has been grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of bench or instrumentality of the government. it appearing that their names appeared twice in the list. The complainants averred that they were regular employees of Hanjin and that they were separated from employment without any lawful or just cause. Petitioners filed a Motion for the Reconsideration of the decision (with a motion to conduct clarificatory hearings). the Labor Arbiter rendered judgment in favor of the 428 complainants. Petitioner then filed in the SC a petition for Certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court. 2004. Petitioners appealed the decision to the NLRC. On July 20. and their claims for underpayment. petitioners filed a Petition for Certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court in the CA. On March 18. a party appealing from judgments or final orders or resolutions of the CA. the proper remedy available to the aggrieved party is a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the said Rules. the Regional Trial Court or any other court. On the other hand. This error is correctible only by the extraordinary writ of certiorari. the petition for certiorari shall be final and is cognizable only by the Court of Appeals. it is necessary to draw a line between an error of judgment and an error of jurisdiction. an error of jurisdiction is one where the act complained of was issued by the court. Anent the first issue. under Rule 45. in order to determine whether the recourse of petitioners is proper or not. The general rule is that a cert writ will not issue where the remedy of appeal is available to the aggrieved party. shall be by petition for review on certiorari with this Court under Rule 45. judicial review of the decisions or final orders of the NLRC should be filed with the CA under Section 5 of Rule 65. board or tribunal. The proper recourse of the aggrieved party from a decision of the CA is a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court. petitions for review on certiorari should be filed only with the CA. It must be stressed that the remedies of appeal under Rule 45 and an original action for certiorari under Rule 65 are mutually exclusive. a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. the special civil action for certiorari under Rule 65 is not and cannot be a substitute for an appeal. the Sandiganbayan. Inasmuch as the appellate court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over quasi-judicial agencies under Rule 43. under the Constitution and the Revised Rules of Court. if the error subject of the recourse is one of jurisdiction. or with grave abuse of discretion which is tantamount to lack or in excess of jurisdiction. or the act complained of was perpetrated by a quasi-judicial officer or agency with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Hence. and which error is reviewable only by an appeal. Thus. The remedies of appeal in the ordinary course of law and that of certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court are mutually exclusive and not alternative or cumulative. and the probative weight and sufficiency of the evidence upon which the said findings were based are not reviewable by 166 Ma. unless otherwise provided by law or the Rules. The aggrieved party is proscribed from assailing a decision or final order of the CA via Rule 65 because such recourse is proper only if the party has no plain. Moreover. The remedy of the aggrieved party from the CA decision. officer or a quasi-judicial body without or in excess of jurisdiction. raising only questions of law which must be distinctly set forth. petitioners have an adequate remedy. On the other hand. may file with the Supreme Court a verified petition for review on certiorari.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests questions of law is involved. namely. However. either upon the law or the facts of the case. where the latter remedy is available. speedy and adequate remedy in the course of law. An error of judgment is one which the court may commit in the exercise of its jurisdiction. One such quasi-judicial agency is the NLRC. in turn. In this case. on the ground that the NLRC has committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction. The general rule is that questions or findings of facts in the lower court. The supervisory jurisdiction of the court to issue a cert writ cannot be exercised in order to review the judgment of the lower court as to its intrinsic correctness. unless authorized by law. if a petition for certiorari involves the acts or omissions of a quasijudicial agency and unless otherwise provided by law or the Rules of Court. For the writ of certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court to issue. 2004 the instant Petition for Certiorari under Rule 65. 2004. As gleaned from the records. 2004 and filed its motion for reconsideration on April 6. i. and that there are special circumstances alleged therein. A remedy is considered "plain. for another. 2004 denying their Motion for Reconsideration on October 20. which would be but a continuation of the appellate process over the original case. Petitioners received a copy of the Order dated October 11. 2004. The appeal from a final disposition of the Court of Appeals is a petition for review under Rule 45 and not a special civil action under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court. beyond the purview of this Court to act upon. Rule 45 is clear that the decisions. petitioners received a copy of the assailed CA decision on March 24. they filed on November 23. If the aggrieved party fails to do so within the reglementary period.. and the decision accordingly becomes final and executory. However. appeal was not only available but also a speedy and adequate remedy. petitioners filed their petition in this Court only on November 23. he cannot avail himself of the writ of certiorari. there were occasions when this Court treated a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court as one filed under Rule 45. the sufficiency of the evidence may be inquired into in order to determine whether jurisdictional facts were or were not proved or whether the lower court had exceeded its jurisdiction. any alleged errors committed by it in the exercise of its jurisdiction would be errors of judgment which are reviewable by timely appeal and not by a special civil action of certiorari. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . However. Under Rule 45. it may delve into and review the evidence on which such facts were based. speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law against its perceived grievance. speedy and adequate" if it will promptly relieve the petitioner from the injurious effects of the judgment and the acts of the lower court or agency. certiorari would be of no avail as a remedy against an assumption of jurisdiction.the keeping of the lower court and tribunal within their jurisdiction. Concededly.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court. the reglementary period to appeal is fifteen (15) days from notice of judgment or denial of motion for reconsideration. For one thing. may be appealed to this Court by filing a petition for review. his predicament being the effect of his deliberate inaction. provided the petition is filed within the prescribed period. The circumstances prevailing in the instant case do not justify a deviation from the general rule. 2004 within which to file a petition for review on certiorari on pure questions of law. Petitioners had until November 4. now Rule 45 and Rule 65. the decision of the CA had by then already become final and executory. the petition was filed way beyond the reglementary period allowed under Rule 45 without any justifiable reason therefor. final orders or resolutions of the Court of Appeals in any case. as already stated. This exception arises out of the most important office and function of the writ . a petitioner must show that he has no plain. petitioners did not proffer any reasonable explanation which would warrant a deviation from the general rule. For the purpose of enabling the reviewing court to determine whether jurisdictional facts were established. Instead of filing a petition under Rule 45. indubitably. respectively. of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.e. If the decision of the lower court as to the sufficiency of the evidence to establish jurisdictional facts were not reviewable. regardless of the nature of the action or proceeding involved. In this case. 167 Ma. 2004. Since the Court of Appeals had jurisdiction over the petition under Rule 65. as it was in this case. None of these recognized exceptions. and the Court s jurisdiction to review decisions or resolutions of the respondent NLRC does not include a correction of its evaluation of the evidence. the CA aptly stated. (b) when the broader interest of justice so requires. petitioners interposed the present special civil action of certiorari under Rule 65 as an alternative to their petition not because it is the speedy and adequate remedy but to make up for the loss of their right of an ordinary appeal. 168 Ma. It is elementary that the special civil action of certiorari is not and cannot be a substitute for an appeal. It must be stressed that the only issue before the Court in a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 is whether the CA committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction in its decision. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 .University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Clearly. or (d) when the questioned order amounts to an oppressive exercise of judicial authority. the Court is proscribed from re-examining the evidence on record and weighing the same in a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court. Petitioners failed to show circumstances that would justify a deviation from the general rule as to make available a petition for certiorari in lieu of taking an appeal. A special civil action under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court cannot cure a party s failure to timely file a petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Revised Rules of Court. if supported by substantial evidence. Whether or not respondents were project employees or regular employees is a question of fact. including that under Rule 45. Moreover. (c) when the writs issued are null and void. thus: What is before us is a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court which will lie only in cases where a grave abuse of discretion or an act without or in excess of jurisdiction is clearly shown to have been committed by the respondent Commission. To arrive at a conclusion. are generally accorded not only great respect but even finality. however. In this case. where the latter remedy is available. is present in the case at bar. and are binding upon this Court. it is a fundamental rule that the factual findings of quasi-judicial agencies like the respondent NLRC. However. especially if such loss or lapse was occasioned by a party s neglect or error in the choice of remedies. Rule 65 is an independent action that cannot be availed of as a substitute for the lost remedy of an ordinary appeal. There are exceptions to this rule: (a) when public welfare and the advancement of public policy dictates. unless the petitioner is able to clearly demonstrate that respondent Commission had arbitrarily disregarded evidence before it or had misapprehended evidence to such an extent as to compel a contrary conclusion if such evidence had been properly appreciated. or if the findings of the Labor Arbiter and the NLRC are contrary to each other. the Court will have to delve into and weigh and calibrate the documentary and testimonial evidence of the parties. They likewise signed the Joint Manifesto and Declaration of Mutual Support and Cooperation which had also been submitted for the consideration of the labor tribunal. The case was docketed as NCMB-NCR. which among others declared that Thus. the obligation of the employer to the complainants. the Union filed another Notice of Strike on July 1. Issue: WON the petitioner s petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure is a proper remedy in this case. 2004. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the Court resolves to give due course to the petition and treat the same as a petition for review on certiorari. Be that as it may. In the meantime. a petition for certiorari may be treated as a petition for review under Rule 45. the parties executed a Compromise Agreement dated July 9. 2002. The proper remedy. 17 of them who were previously retrenched were agreed to be given full and complete payment of their respective monetary claims. The compromise agreement was submitted to the NLRC for approval. the compromise agreement was approved and NCMB-NCR-NS-03-087-00 was deemed closed and terminated. however. 2001 Resolution declaring the retrenchment program illegal did not attain finality as "it had been academically mooted by the compromise agreement entered into between both parties on July 9.008.NS-07-251-02. vs NLRC (2006) G." The Union assailed the ruling of the NLRC before the CA via petition for certiorari under Rule 65. Inc. 169 Ma. The compromise agreement referred only to the award given by the NLRC to the complainants in the said case. 2001 without loss of seniority rights and benefits. the appellate court held that the NLRC gravely abused its discretion in ruling for PJI. (PJI) was adjudged liable in the total amount of P6. In its Decision dated August 17. 166421 Facts: In NLRC s Resolution dated May 31. As the instant petition was filed within the prescribed fifteen-day period. the DOLE Secretary certified the case to the Commission for compulsory arbitration. petitioner Philippine Journalists.57 for illegally dismissing 31 complainants-employees and that there was no basis for the implementation of petitioner's retrenchment program. that is.. Journalistic Inc. where PJI undertook to reinstate the 31 complainant-employees effective July 1. 2003. was to file a petition under Rule 45.R. however. In an Order dated September 16. The NLRC forthwith issued another Resolution on July 25. Held: At the outset. It must be stressed that certiorari under Rule 65 is "a remedy narrow in scope and inflexible in character.447. 2002. 2001. All the employees mentioned in the agreement and in the NLRC Resolution affixed their signatures thereon. the NLRC ruled that the complainants were not illegally dismissed. the special civil action for certiorari will lie only when a court has acted without or in excess of jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion. while 14 others would be paid their monetary claims minus what they received by way of separation pay. Such move is in accordance with the liberal spirit pervading the Rules of Court and in the interest of substantial justice." Moreover. 2001. It is not a general utility tool in the legal workshop. 2001. and in view of the substantial issues raised.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Phil. In its Resolution dated July 31. The May 31. we note that this case was brought before us via petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure. 2002. Thereafter. Instead. petitioners filed a manifestation and motion." Towards this end. among others. they were required to submit their respective position papers. It must be kept in mind that the enactment of the Cooperative Code is pursuant to the State's declared policy of fostering the "creation and growth of cooperatives as a practical vehicle for prompting self-reliance and harnessing people power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice. 2002 holding that the exemption from putting up a bond by a cooperative applies to cases decided by inferior courts only. Issue: Whether cooperatives are exempted from filing a cash or surety bond required to perfect an employer's appeal under Section 223 of Presidential Decree No. 6938. 1998. Aggrieved. paragraph (7) of Republic Act No. Held: Petitioners are not exempt from posting the appeal bond required under Article 223 of the Labor Code. and non-payment of 13th month pay or Christmas Bonus against "Balagtas Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Balagtas appealed the decision to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) but failed to post either a cash or surety bond as required by Article 223 of the Labor Code. Hipolito-Herrero filed a complaint with the Provincial Office of the Department of Labor in Malolos. When the parties failed to settle their differences." 170 Ma. the Labor Arbiter rendered his decision favoring Josefina and ordering petitioner to pay backwages and other money judgment. Petitioners then filed a petition for certiorari with the CA. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The provision cited by petitioners cannot be taken in isolation and must be interpreted in relation to the Cooperative Code in its entirety. 442 (the Labor Code). 1998. 159268 Facts: Petitioner Josefina G. Inc. petitioners are exempt from putting up a bond in an appeal from the decision of the inferior court. the CA resolved to dismiss the petition in the assailed decision dated September 27. the NLRC rendered the assailed order denying petitioner s prayer and on September 28. She pray(ed) that she be reinstated and paid backwages as well as moral damages. alleging that the NLRC acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction in directing them to post an appeal bond despite the clear mandate of Article 62. the government has been mandated to "ensure the provision of technical guidance. On March 23. Article 62(7) of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines. Trial ensued. that under Republic Act No. stating. The case was referred to a Labor Arbiter. After the parties submitted their respective pleadings. Bulacan for illegal dismissal.R. 1998. On July 20. financial assistance and other services to enable said cooperatives to develop into viable and responsive economic enterprises and thereby bring about a strong cooperative movement that is free from any conditions that might infringe upon the autonomy or organizational integrity of cooperatives.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Balagtas Multi-Purpose Coop vs Court of Appeals (2006) G. the LRC struck down petitioners' Motion for Reconsideration. 6938 (Cooperative Code) which dispensed with such requirement. The law may validly provide limitations or qualifications thereto or relief to the prevailing party in the event an appeal is interposed by the losing party. The term "court" has a settled meaning in this jurisdiction which cannot be reasonably interpreted as extending to quasi-judicial bodies like the NLRC unless otherwise clearly and expressly indicated in the wording of the statute. It is a privilege of statutory origin and. they extend only so far as their language warrants.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests In line with this. The rule proceeds from the premise that the legislative body would not have made specific enumerations in a statute. the obvious and logical purpose of an appeal bond is to insure. For this reason. where a general rule is established by a statute with exceptions. therefore. in the guise of interpretation. An express exception. Considering that the above provision relates to "tax and other exemptions. The provision invoked by petitioners regarding the exemption from payment of an appeal bond is only one among a number of such privileges which appear under the article entitled "Tax and Other Exemptions" of the code. Statutes which are plain and specific should be applied without attempted construction and interpretation. Thus. In this case. during the period of appeal. 119. Consequently. Compliance with Other Laws. enlarge the scope of a statute and include therein situations not provided nor intended by the lawmakers. It must be pointed out that the right to appeal is not a constitutional. available only if granted or provided by statute. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Simply because these tribunals or agencies exercise quasi-judicial functions does not convert them into courts of law." the same must be strictly construed. exemption. or saving clause excludes other exceptions. natural or inherent right. This follows the well-settled principle that exceptions are to be strictly but reasonably construed. Express exceptions constitute the only limitations on the operation of a statute and no other exception will be implied. Courts may not. Article 119 of the Cooperative Code itself expressly embodies the legislative intention to extend the coverage of labor statutes to cooperatives. and all doubts should be resolved in favor of the general provision rather than the exceptions. (1) The Labor Code and all other labor laws shall apply to all cooperatives. the Court will not curtail the former nor add to the latter by implication. certain benefits and privileges were expressly granted to cooperative entities under the statute. 171 Ma. where a provision of law expressly limits its application to certain transactions. against any occurrence that would defeat or diminish recovery by the employee under the judgment if the latter is subsequently affirmed. to wit: Art. In any event. petitioners must comply with the requirement set forth in Article 223 of the Labor Code in order to perfect their appeal to the NLRC. This is consistent with the State's constitutional mandate to afford full protection to labor in order to forcefully and meaningfully underscore labor as a primary social and economic force. it cannot be extended to other transactions by interpretation. if it had the intention not to restrict its meaning and confine its terms to those expressly mentioned. R.R. 130866. 172 Ma.P. Even if we would like to relax the rule and allow the examination of the documentary evidence as an exception to the general rule. Martin asks us to find out if the Labor Arbiter was correct in concluding that respondent Aricayos was not in its employ. this Court through Justice Jose Vitug. No. the NLRC Decision. petitioner cannot be given the relief prayed for. reasoning this way: Actually the Labor Arbiter did not determine whether there is an employer-employee relation between the parties because according to him. 677 (1988)). Held: At the outset. reminded the latter that he is authorized by the NLRC Rules to determine. Evidently this issue is embraced by the circumscription.R. rendered the landmark Decision in this case then docketed as G. dismissing petitioner's appeal for lack of merit with the finding that respondent NLRC did not commit grave abuse of discretion. the CA rendered the assailed September 30. 1999 Decision. This is explicit in Rule 45. St." Petitioner St. Section 4. all such petitions should henceforth be initially filed in the Court of Appeals in strict observance of the doctrine on the hierarchy of courts as the appropriate forum for the relief desired. is remanding the case to the Labor Arbiter. Consequently. all references in the amended section 9 of B. 49183. Martin Funeral Homes vs NLRC (2006) G. it is clear that the issue submitted for resolution is a question of fact which is proscribed by the rule disallowing factual issues in appeal by certiorari to the Supreme Court under Rule 45. 129 to supposed appeals from the NLRC to the Supreme Court are interpreted and refer to petitions for certiorari under Rule 65. Martin would like the Court to examine the pleadings and documentary evidence extant on the records of the Labor Arbiter to determine if said official indeed made a finding on the existence of the alleged employer-employee nexus between the parties based on the facts contained in said pleadings and evidence. but committed the blunder of not attaching to the petition even the Decision of the Labor Arbiter sought to be reviewed. Without these vital documents. 1998. and other pieces of evidence that we can consider in resolving the factual issue on employment. Issue: WON the Labor Arbiter made a determination of the presence of an employer-employee relationship. For its part. Subsequently.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests St. the position papers and memoranda of the parties filed with the Labor Arbiter. SP No. 142351 Facts: On September 16. in its pronouncement that the Labor Arbiter did not make any finding on the alleged employer-employee relationship between the parties. in an appropriate proceeding the existence of an employeremployee relationship. thus: Therefore. the petition was remanded to the CA and redocketed as CA-G. such issue should be resolved by the regular court pursuant to the ruling of the Supreme Court in De la Salle University vs. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . holding for the first time that all petitions for certiorari under Rule 65 assailing the decisions of the NLRC should henceforth be filed with the CA. we are precluded by the abject failure of petitioner to attach to the petition important and material portions of the records as would support the petition prescribed by Rule 45. Section 1 that petitions of this nature "shall raise only questions of law which must be distinctly set forth. Thus. NLRC (135 SCRA 674. the affidavits of petitioner's employees. respondent NLRC. No. vs Esteva (2006) G. they are rather errors of judgment supposedly committed by the the NLRC. Although the same case recognizes that both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction over such petitions.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests DOLE Phils. For certiorari to lie. Martin Funeral Home v. the 173 Ma. there must be capricious. it has chosen to impose the strict observance of the hierarchy of courts. arbitrary and whimsical exercise of power. Hence. The special civil action for certiorari is a remedy designed to correct errors of jurisdiction and not mere errors of judgment. namely. and are thus not the proper subject of a petition for certiorari. as distinguished from errors of jurisdiction. dated 29 February 2000. Issue: WON questions of fact are not a fit subject for a special civil action for certiorari. By grave abuse of discretion is meant such capricious and whimsical exercise of judgment as is equivalent to lack of jurisdiction. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . and that questions of fact are not a fit subject for a special civil action for certiorari. It is the contention of petitioner that the NLRC properly assumed jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of the instant case. which is merely confined to issues of jurisdiction or grave abuse of discretion. are not within the province of a special civil action for certiorari. It has long been settled in the landmark case of St. petitioner argues that judicial review under Rule 65 of the revised Rules of Civil Procedure is limited only to issues concerning want or excess or jurisdiction or grave abuse of discretion.R. It is thus incumbent upon petitioner to satisfactorily establish that respondent Commission or executive labor arbiter acted capriciously and whimsically in total disregard of evidence material to or even decisive of the controversy. writ of error (Rule 41). The rule is settled that the original and exclusive jurisdiction of this Court to review a decision of respondent NLRC (or Executive Labor Arbiter as in this case) in a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 does not normally include an inquiry into the correctness of its evaluation of the evidence. The different modes of appeal. as amended. cannot be availed of because there is no provision on appellate review of NLRC decisions in the Labor Code. a petition for certiorari of a decision or resolution of the NLRC should first be filed with the Court of Appeals. NLRC. 161115 Facts: Anent the first assignment of error. Errors of judgment. in its Resolution. Petitioner also posits that the Petition for Certiorari filed by respondents with the Court of Appeals raised questions of fact that would necessitate a review by the appellate court of the evidence presented by the parties before the Labor Arbiter and the NLRC. and it must be shown that the discretion was exercised arbitrarily or despotically. that the mode for judicial review over decisions of the NLRC is by a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the revised Rules of Civil Procedure. in order that the extraordinary writ of certiorari will lie. The errors assigned by the respondents in their Petition for Certiorari before the Court of Appeals do not pertain to the jurisdiction of the NLRC. Held: There is no error on the CAs part when it made anew a factual determination of the matters. direct resort to the Supreme Court shall not be allowed unless the redress desired cannot be obtained in the appropriate courts or where exceptional and compelling circumstances justify an availment of a remedy within and calling for the exercise by the Supreme Court of its primary jurisdiction. petition for review (Rules 42 and 43). and petition for review on certiorari (Rule 45). Earlier. we emphasized thus: It has been said that a wide breadth of discretion is granted a court of justice in certiorari proceedings. as in the instant case. however.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests very antithesis of the judicial prerogative in accordance with centuries of both civil law and common law traditions. in Gutib v. As this Court elucidated in Garcia v. whimsically. such as the NLRC. the appellate court can only evaluate the materiality or significance of the evidence. the Court in the exercise of its equity jurisdiction may look into the records of the case and re-examine the questioned findings. Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals. and the Court of Appeals cannot make this determination without looking into the evidence presented by the parties. this Court is clothed with ample authority to review matters. because to do so would be to destroy its comprehensiveness and usefulness." So it is that the writ will be granted where necessary to prevent a substantial wrong or to do substantial justice. the Court refrains from reviewing factual assessments of lower courts and agencies exercising adjudicative functions. or arbitrarily disregarded by the NLRC. we see no error on its part when it made anew a factual determination of the matters and on that basis reversed the ruling of the NLRC. Hence. the Court is constrained to delve into factual matters where. National Labor Relations Commission: In Ong v. or arbitrarily disregarding evidence which is material or decisive of the controversy. we ruled that certiorari can be properly resorted to where the factual findings complained of are not supported by the evidence on record. As a corollary. Necessarily. People. thus. we are to be guided by all the circumstances of each particular case "as the ends of justice may require. resolution is confined only to issues of jurisdiction and grave abuse of discretion on the part of the labor tribunal. So wide is the discretion of the court that authority is not wanting to show that certiorari is more discretionary than either prohibition or mandamus. therefore. the findings of the NLRC contradict those of the Labor Arbiter. And in another case of recent vintage. we further held: In the review of an NLRC decision through a special civil action for certiorari. whimsically. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . In the exercise of our superintending control over inferior courts. in its assailed decision or resolution. even if they are not assigned as errors in their appeal. in relation to all other evidence on record. 174 Ma. if it finds that their consideration is necessary to arrive at a just decision of the case. In this instance. The cases in which certiorari will issue cannot be defined. The same principles are now necessarily adhered to and are applied by the Court of Appeals in its expanded jurisdiction over labor cases elevated through a petition for certiorari. which is alleged to have been capriciously. can grant the Petition for Certiorari if it finds that the NLRC. committed grave abuse of discretion by capriciously. Occasionally. Like other causes of action. unpaid commissions. Q-89-2244 against the members of the Board of Administrators (BOA) of petitioner alleging.R. Article 1155 of the Civil Code may be applied. A motion to dismiss was filed by Joselito Santiago.R. 1990. Basilio (Annex A of Motion for Reconsideration) . and (c) a written acknowledgment of the debt by the debtor. docketed as CA-G. Held: Respondent's claim had already prescribed as of September 1991. the Court ruled that although the commencement of a civil action stops the running of the statute of prescription 175 Ma. Thus. 23821. and in a Decision dated October 29. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the prescriptive period for money claims is subject to interruption. only a period of 1 year and 3 months has passed by.R. Audit Group Head addressed to IBC Gen. (b) a written extrajudicial demand by the creditor. the prescription of an action is interrupted by (a) the filing of an action. and second. when there is a written extrajudicial demand by the creditors. and in the absence of an equivalent Labor Code provision for determining whether the said period may be interrupted. 1996. on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. Respondent resigned from his employment on September 2.. 1988. Kaimo. Express acknowledgment of debt by petitioners in a letter sent by Pio S. 1991. The applicable law in this case is Article 291 of the Labor Code which provides that "all money claims arising from employer-employee relations accruing during the effectivity of this Code shall be filed within three (3) years from the time the cause of action accrued. as respondent's claim was a labor money claim. Santiago filed a petition for certiorari with the CA. non-payment of his unpaid commissions. 1990 and November 23. The prescription of actions is interrupted when they are filed before the Court.Thereafter. among others. On July 24. separation pay. and damages. From date of dismissal of CA-G.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. respondent filed with the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City. respondent was elected by the BOA as Vice-President for Marketing in July 1992. Q-89-2244 by respondent with the RTC. 23821 up to the date of express acknowledgment of debt. to wit: ART. respondent filed against petitioner a complaint for illegal dismissal. as it was interrupted in two instances: first. He resigned in April 1993. Issue: WON respondent's claim for unpaid commissions in the amount has already prescribed. 151407 Facts: Ireneo Panganiban was employed as Assistant General Manager of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (petitioner) from May 1986 until his preventive suspension on August 26. Civil Case No. vs Panganiban (2007) G. 1990. 1155.. SP No. 1993. Thus. The CA ruled that respondent's money claim had not yet prescribed. but this was denied by the RTC per Orders dated October 19. 1989. Jr. by the filing of Civil Case No. Manager Ceferino M. retirement benefits. On April 12. and when there is any written acknowledgment of the debt by the debtor." The term "money claims" covers all money claims arising from an employer-employee relation. 1990 and November 23. Branch 93. On this point. one of the defendants. SP No.January 21. otherwise they shall be forever barred. 1988. the CA granted Santiago's petition for lack of jurisdiction and set aside the RTC's Orders dated October 19. by the express acknowledgment of the debt by petitioners. SP No. respondent's cause of action had already prescribed on September 2. while the filing of Civil Case No. Hence. separation pay. three years after his cessation of employment on September 2. 1996. retirement benefits. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . The running of the threeyear prescriptive period not having been interrupted by the filing of Civil Case No. Q-89-2244. had already been barred by prescription. when respondent filed his complaint for illegal dismissal. and damages in July 24. its consequent dismissal by the CA in CA-G. clearly. 23821 due to lack of jurisdiction effectively canceled the tolling of the prescriptive period within which to file his money claim. 176 Ma. 1991. his claim.R. leaving respondent in exactly the same position as though no civil case had been filed at all. 1988. Q-89-2244 could have interrupted the running of the three-year prescriptive period. its dismissal or voluntary abandonment by plaintiff leaves the parties in exactly the same position as though no action had been commenced at all. Consequently.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests or limitations. payroll. the prescriptive period commences at the time he was terminated. and ordered his reinstatement and the payment of his full back wages. 162813 Facts: Far East hired on March 1996 private respondent Jimmy Lebatique as truck driver with a daily wage of P223.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Far East Agricultural Supply vs Lebatigue (2007) G. and overtime pay. 177 Ma. The case is hereby REMANDED to the Labor Arbiter for further proceedings to determine the exact amount of overtime pay and other monetary benefits due Jimmy Lebatique which herein petitioners should pay without further delay. or other documents in management's control to determine the correct overtime pay due Lebatique. Alexander asked him why he was claiming overtime pay. He delivered animal feeds to the company's clients. Lebatique timely filed his claim for service incentive leave pay. On the other hand. On March 2000. considering that in this situation. The Labor Arbiter found that Lebatique was illegally dismissed. In the case of overtime pay. if it is established that the benefits being claimed have been withheld from the employee for a period longer than three years. 2000. On January 2000. 13th month pay. He also told Alexander that Manuel had fired him. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . the amount pertaining to the period beyond the three-year prescriptive period is therefore barred by prescription. they shall be forever barred. However. 2000. Further. Lebatique explained that he had never been paid for overtime work since he started working for the company. Lebatique sought the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Public Assistance and Complaints Unit concerning the nonpayment of his overtime pay. The amount that can only be demanded by the aggrieved employee shall be limited to the amount of the benefits withheld within three years before the filing of the complaint. Lebatique filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and nonpayment of overtime pay. Held: He can only demand for the overtime pay withheld for the period within three years preceding the filing of the complaint on March 20. otherwise. Issue: WON respondent is entltled to all money claims prayed for covering since he worked with the petitioner.R.50. After talking to Manuel. service incentive leave pay. 2000. The Labor Arbiter should have required petitioners to present the daily time records. his claim regarding nonpayment of overtime pay since he was hired in March 1996 is a different matter. Alexander terminated Lebatique and told him to look for another job. On January 26. we find insufficient the selected time records presented by petitioners to compute properly his overtime pay. Note that all money claims arising from an employer-employee relationship shall be filed within three years from the time the cause of action accrued. he can only demand for the overtime pay withheld for the period within three years preceding the filing of the complaint on March 20. In petitions for review on certiorari like the instant case. It is not the function of the Supreme Court to analyze or weigh all over again the evidence already considered in the proceedings below. 156225 Facts: Three cases were consolidated involving petitioner Letran Calamba Faculty and Employees Association and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. unless patently erroneous. 1999. the CA rendered the presently assailed judgment dismissing the petition. They are binding upon this Court unless there is a showing of grave abuse of discretion or where it is clearly shown that they were arrived at arbitrarily or in utter disregard of the evidence on record. are binding on the Supreme Court. We find none of these exceptions in the present case. Petitioner filed a Motion for Reconsideration but the CA denied it in its Resolution promulgated on November 28. petitioner asserts that the CA acted arbitrarily in affirming the Decision of the NLRC. which have acquired expertise because their jurisdiction is confined to specific matters. when affirmed by the NLRC and the CA. the NLRC and the CA. failed to specify what constituted said evidence. Petitioner avers that the CA. Settled is the rule that the findings of the LA. the appellate court has no reason to look into the correctness of the evaluation of evidence which supports the labor tribunals' findings of fact. In a petition for review on certiorari. Citing Agustilo v.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Letran Calamba Faculty & Employees Association vs NLRC (2008) G. Findings of fact of administrative agencies and quasi-judicial bodies. the NLRC promulgated its Decision dismissing both appeals. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . On May 14. On July 28. are generally accorded not only great respect but even finality. 2002. this Court s jurisdiction is limited to reviewing errors of law in the absence of any showing that the factual findings complained of are devoid of support in the records or are glaringly erroneous. and this applies with greater force in labor cases. petitioner contends that in a special civil action for certiorari brought before the CA. the appellate court can review the factual findings and the legal conclusions of the NLRC. Issue: WON the Court of Appeals erred in holding that the factual findings of the NLRC cannot be reviewed in certiorari proceedings. Calamba. in concluding that the NLRC Decision was supported by substantial evidence. 178 Ma. Petitioner filed a Motion for Reconsideration but the same was denied by the NLRC in its Resolution dated June 21. Firm is the doctrine that this Court is not a trier of facts. specially when such findings are supported by substantial evidence and there is no cogent basis to reverse the same.Petitioner then filed a special civil action for certiorari with the CA assailing the above-mentioned NLRC Decision and Resolution. Thus. the Court invariably sustains the unanimous factual findings of the LA. Held: Court finds no error in the ruling of the CA that since nowhere in the petition is there any acceptable demonstration that the LA or the NLRC acted either with grave abuse of discretion or without or in excess of its jurisdiction. as in this case. Court of Appeals.R. for money claims and a petition to declare the subject strike illegal filed by respondent. 2000. 2002. On 13 September 2004. The rule is. if given the chance to correct its mistake or error. On 24 August 2006. 175460 Facts: Petitioner MTO is a government owned and controlled corporation which entered into a Management and Operations Agreement (MOA) with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) for the operation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Baclaran-Monumento Line." "speedy. speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law. in the exercise of its original jurisdiction. Held: Petitioners' failure to file a motion for reconsideration against the assailed Resolution of the NLRC rendered its petition for certiorari before the appellate court as fatally defective. The settled rule is that a motion for reconsideration is a condition sine qua non for the filing of a petition for certiorari.. the Court of Appeals. (2) unfair labor practice for union busting. was sued in his official capacity as then Undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications and Chairman of the Board of Directors of petitioner MTO. the Court of Appeals issued a Resolution dismissing the Petition. will not take cognizance of a petition for certiorari under Rule 65. a motion for reconsideration is indispensable for it affords the NLRC an opportunity to rectify errors or mistakes it might have committed before resort to the courts can be had. it must be shown that there is no appeal. Issue: WON petitioner can directly file the extraordinary remedy of certiorari without filing first a motion for reconsideration with the NLRC. the NLRC dismissed petitioners' appeal for non-perfection since it failed to post the required bond.R. petitioners directly went to the Court of Appeals on certiorari without filing a motion for reconsideration with the NLRC. Petitioner Jose L. unless the lower court has been given the opportunity to correct the error imputed to it. The Court of Appeals correctly ruled that petitioners' failure to file a 179 Ma.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests Metro Transit Organization vs Piglas NFWU-KMU et al. It must be primarily established that petitioners contravened the procedural rule for the extraordinary remedy of certiorari. the Labor Arbiter rendered judgment in favor of respondents. Without filing a Motion for Reconsideration of the afore-quoted NLRC Resolution. In the case at bar. The motion for reconsideration would have aptly furnished a plain. Cortez. In a Resolution dated 19 May 2006. Jr. The rationale of the rule rests upon the presumption that the court or administrative body which issued the assailed order or resolution may amend the same. Rule 65 of the Rules of Court is a motion for reconsideration of the questioned Order or Resolution. We have held that the "plain. As a rule. As we consistently held in numerous cases. for the writ to issue. and adequate remedy. (2008) G. Its purpose is to grant an opportunity for the court to correct any actual or perceived error attributed to it by the re-examination of the legal and factual circumstances of the case. nor any plain. petitioners filed a Petition for Certiorari with the Court of Appeals assailing the same. (3) moral and exemplary damages. and (4) attorney's fees. speedy." and "adequate remedy" referred to in Section 1. Petitioners appealed to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). Respondents filed with the Labor Arbiter Complaints against petitioners and the LRTA for the following: (1) illegal dismissal. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Evidently. We agree in the Court of Appeals' finding that petitioners' case does not fall under any of the recognized exceptions to the filing of a motion for reconsideration. to wit: (1) when the issue raised is purely of law. as well as the finding that petitioners failed to perfect the same. Cecelia Timbal LlB 2 Rm 402 . Certiorari cannot be resorted to as a shield from the adverse consequences of petitioners' own omission of the filing of the required motion for reconsideration. As the Court of Appeals reasoned. and proceed to review the propriety of the 19 May 2006 NLRC Resolution. (3) in case of urgency. Nonetheless. 180 Ma. involving as it does the requirements of the property bond for the perfection of the appeal. the burden is on petitioners seeking exception to the rule to show sufficient justification for dispensing with the requirement. we still arrive at the conclusion that the NLRC did not err in denying petitioners' appeal for its failure to file a bond in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the NLRC. or when the questions raised are the same as those that have already been squarely argued and exhaustively passed upon by the lower court. even if we are to disregard the petitioners' procedural faux pas with the Court of Appeals.University of San Carlos College of Law Labor Standards Midterm Case Digests motion for reconsideration against the assailed Resolution of the NLRC rendered its petition for certiorari before the appellate court as fatally defective. (2) when public interest is involved. the issue before the NLRC is both factual and legal at the same time.