150683882 Labor Standards Case Digest Part III

8/11/2019 150683882 Labor Standards Case Digest Part III

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Labor StandardsCases for Reading and Digest

1. De Leon vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 70705, August 21, 199

2. !eta "#e$tri$ Cor% vs. NLRC, G.R. No. &'0, (ebruar) 15, 1990

3. *iernes vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 10'05, A%ri# ', 200+

4. Labor Congress of te -i#i%%ines vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 12+9+, a) 21, 199

5. er$ado vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 79&9, Se%te/ber 5, 1991

6. (i#i%inas -refabri$ated !ui#ding S)ste/s vs. -uente, G.R. No. 15++2, ar$ 1, 2005

7. ntegrated Contra$tor and -#u/bing or3s vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 152'27, August 9, 2005

8. i##ares vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 11052', 4u#) 29, 2002

9. nternationa# Cato#i$ igration Co//ission vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 72222, 4anuar) +0, 199

10. ariasa anufa$turing Co. vs. Leogardo, G.R. No. 7'2'& 4anuar) 2&, 199

11. La Sa##ete of Santiago, n$. vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 291 ar$ 11, 1991

12. 6anin vs. bane8, G.R. No. 17011, 4une 2&, 200

13. !aguio Countr) C#ub vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 71&&' (ebruar) 2, 1992

14. -angi#inan vs. Genera# i##ing, G.R. No. 1'9+29, 4u#) 12, 200'

15. A#$ira vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 1'959, 4une 9, 200'

16. -i#i%%ine Dai#) nuirer vs. agtiba), G.R. No. 1&'5+2, 4u#) 2', 2007

17. Sabero#a vs. Suare8, G.R. No. 151227, 4u#) 1', 200

18. Sa/son vs. NRLC, G.R. No. 11+1&&, (ebruar) 1, 199&

19. Cie#o vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 7&9+ 4anuar) 2, 1991

20. :a$#oban Sag3aan Ri$e, et$. vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 7+0& ar$ 21, 1990

21. -anda) vs. NLRC, G.R. No. &7&&' a) 20, 1992

22. Catedra# S$oo# of :e$no#og) vs. NLRC, G.R. No. L101'+ ;$tober 1+, 1992

23. -i#i%%ine4a%an A$tive Carbon Cor%. vs. NLRC, G.R. No. +2+9 ar$ , 199

24. -"-SC;, n$. vs. NLRC, G.R. No. L51&+2 Se%te/ber 7, 199

25. !atongba$a# vs. Asso$iated !an3, G.R. No. 72977 De$e/ber 21, 19

26. !"N*"ND; R. !A:;NG!ACAL vs. ASS;CA:"D !AN AG"NC>, NC. vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 1'9+ A%ri# +, 1990

28. >=C; C6"CAL ND=S:R"S, NC., vs. ;L", G.R. No. L75&5& a) 2, 1990

Not reuired for digesting

1. AL"GRA vs. 4=DG" AN="L N. D=?=", A.. No. R:40&2019, A%ri# ', 2007

2. !ACSN vs. "D=ARD; ;. A6AN, G.R. No. 1'&05+, A%ri# +0, 200


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3. D;NG; vs. R;G"L; . RA>ALA, G.R. No. 155+1, (ebruar) 1, 200

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:is %rovision reinfor$es te Constitutiona# /andate to %rote$t te interest of #abor. ts #anguageevident#) /anifests te intent to safeguard te tenuria# interest of te or3er o /a) be denied te rigts andbenefits due a regu#ar e/%#o)ee b) virtue of #o%sided agree/ents it te e$ono/i$a##) %oerfu# e/%#o)ero $an /aneuver to 3ee% an e/%#o)ee on a $asua# status for as #ong as $onvenient. :us, $ontrar)agree/ents notitstanding, an e/%#o)/ent is dee/ed regu#ar en te a$tivities %erfor/ed b) tee/%#o)ee are usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business or trade of te e/%#o)er. Not $onsideredregu#ar are te so$a##ed I%roe$t e/%#o)/entI te $o/%#etion or ter/ination of i$ is /ore or #essdeter/inab#e at te ti/e of e/%#o)/ent, su$ as tose e/%#o)ed in $onne$tion it a %arti$u#ar $onstru$tion

%roe$t and seasona# e/%#o)/ent i$ b) its nature is on#) desirab#e for a #i/ited %eriod of ti/e. 6oever,an) e/%#o)ee o as rendered at #east one )ear of servi$e, eter $ontinuous or inter/ittent, is dee/edregu#ar it res%e$t to te a$tivit) e %erfor/ed and i#e su$ a$tivit) a$tua##) eHists.

:e %ri/ar) standard, terefore, of deter/ining a regu#ar e/%#o)/ent is te reasonab#e $onne$tionbeteen te %arti$u#ar a$tivit) %erfor/ed b) te e/%#o)ee in re#ation to te usua# business or trade of tee/%#o)er. :e test is eter te for/er is usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business or trade of tee/%#o)er. :e $onne$tion $an be deter/ined b) $onsidering te nature of te or3 %erfor/ed and its re#ationto te s$e/e of te %arti$u#ar business or trade in its entiret). A#so, if te e/%#o)ee as been %erfor/ing teob for at #east one )ear, even if te %erfor/an$e is not $ontinuous or /ere#) inter/ittent, te #a dee/s tere%eated and $ontinuing need for its %erfor/an$e as suffi$ient eviden$e of te ne$essit) if not indis%ensabi#it)of tat a$tivit) to te business. 6en$e, te e/%#o)/ent is a#so $onsidered regu#ar, but on#) it res%e$t to

su$ a$tivit) and i#e su$ a$tivit) eHists.

n te $ase at bar, te res%ondent $o/%an), i$ is engaged in te business of/anufa$ture and disti##er) of ines and #iuors, $#ai/s tat %etitioner as $ontra$ted on a $asua#basis s%e$ifi$a##) to %aint a $ertain $o/%an) bui#ding and tat its $o/%#etion rendered %etitionerFse/%#o)/ent ter/inated. :is /a) ave been true at te beginning, and ad it been son tat%etitionerFs a$tivit) as eH$#usive#) #i/ited to %ainting tat $ertain bui#ding, res%ondent $o/%an)Fsteor) of $asua# e/%#o)/ent ou#d ave been ort) of $onsideration.

6oever, during %etitionerFs %eriod of e/%#o)/ent, te re$ords revea# tat te tas3s assigned toi/ in$#uded not on#) %ainting of $o/%an) bui#dings, eui%/ent and too#s but a#so $#eaning and oi#ing/a$ines, even o%erating a dri##ing /a$ine, and oter odd obs assigned to i/ en e ad no

%ainting ob. A regu#ar e/%#o)ee of res%ondent $o/%an), "/i#iano :anue 4r., attested in is affidavittat %etitioner or3ed it i/ as a /aintenan$e /an en tere as no %ainting ob.

:erefore, a## tings $onsidered, te %etitionerJs status of e/%#o)/ent be$a/e regu#aren$e %rivate res%ondent is ordered to reinstate %etitioner as a regu#ar /aintenan$e /an and to%a) %etitioner ba$3ages, "C;LA, and 1+tont -a).

G.R. N;. &'0 ("!R=AR> 15, 1990!":A "L"C:RC C;R-;RA:;N*S.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N

(AC:S:e %etitioner ired te %rivate res%ondent as $#er3 t)%ist effe$tive De$e/ber 15, 19& unti# 4anuar)

1&, 197, and as subseuent#) reired on 4anuar) 1&, 197 u% to (ebruar) 15, 197. ;n (ebruar) 15, 197,it gave er anoter eHtension u% to ar$ 15, 197. ;n ar$ 15, 197, it gave er a furter eHtension unti#A%ri# +0, 197. ;n a) 1, 197, se as given unti# a) +1, 197. ;n 4une 1, 197, se as given u% to4une +0, 197. 6er a%%oint/ents ere $overed b) $orres%onding ritten $ontra$ts. ;n 4une 22, 197, erservi$es ere ter/inated itout noti$e or investigation. ;n te sa/e da), se ent to te #abor arbiter on a$o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa#. As te $ourt as indi$ated, bot te #abor arbiter and te res%ondent Nationa#

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Labor Re#ations Co//ission ru#ed for er. :e %etitioner argues /ain#) tat te %rivateres%ondentFs a%%oint/ent as te/%orar) and en$e se /a) be ter/inated at i##.

SS="eter or not %rivate res%ondent is te/%orar) e/%#o)ee

6"LD

:e Court e#d N;. :e %rivate res%ondent as to a## intents and %ur%oses, and at te ver) #east,

a %robationar) e/%#o)ee, o be$a/e regu#ar u%on te eH%iration of siH /onts. =nder Arti$#e 21 ofte Labor Code, a %robationar) e/%#o)ee is I$onsidered a regu#ar e/%#o)eeI if e as been Ia##oed toor3 after te %robationar) %eriod.I :e fa$t tat er e/%#o)/ent as been a $ontra$tto $ontra$t basis$annot a#ter te $ara$ter of e/%#o)/ent, be$ause $ontra$ts $annot override te /andate of #a. 6en$e,b) o%eration of #a, se as be$o/e a regu#ar e/%#o)ee. n te $ase at bar, te %rivate e/%#o)ee ase/%#o)ed fro/ De$e/ber15, 19& unti# 4une 22, 197 en se as ordered #aid off. 6er tenure avingeH$eeded siH /onts, se attained regu#ar e/%#o)/ent.

G.R. N;. 10'05. A-RL ', 200+*"RN"S*S.

NLRC AND !"NG=": "L"C:RC C;;-"RA:*", NC. !"N"C;E

(AC:S

-etitionersJ servi$es as /eter readers ere $ontra$ted for ard#) a /ontJs duration, fro/;$tober to +1, 1990. :e said ter/ notitstanding, %etitioners ere a##oed to or3 unti#4anuar) 2, 1991. ;n 4anuar) +, 1991, te) ere ea$ served teir identi$a# noti$es of ter/ination.;n te sa/e date, te) fi#ed $o/%#aints for i##ega# dis/issa#. :e) $ontended tat te) ere nota%%renti$es but regu#ar e/%#o)ees ose servi$es ere i##ega##) and unust#) ter/inated in a/anner tat as i/si$a# and $a%ri$ious. ;n te oter and, %rivate res%ondent !"N"C;invo3ed Arti$#e 2+ of te Labor Code in defense of te uestioned dis/issa#.

:e Labor Arbiter dis/issed te $o/%#aints for #a$3 of /erit. 6oever, it ordered !"N"C; toeHtend to te %etitioners te $ontra$t of te/%orar) e/%#o)/ent tat te for/er ad offered, it te

eH$e%tion of 4ai/e *iernes. A#so, te Labor Arbiter dire$ted !"N"C; to %a) ea$ te a/ount euiva#entto teir /ont#) sa#ar) as inde/nit) for its fai#ure to give $o/%#ainants te +0da) noti$e /andated underArti$#e 2+ of te Labor Code. odif)ing te ArbiterJs de$ision, te NLRC rendered tat te dis/issa#as i##ega#. t ordered %etitionersJ reinstate/ent to teir for/er %osition as /eter readers or to an)euiva#ent %osition it %a)/ent of ba$3ages #i/ited to one )ear de#eting te aard of inde/nit).

SS="S

eter or not te %etitioners sou#d be reinstated to teir for/er %osition as /eter readers on%robationar) status des%ite te finding tat te) are regu#ar e/%#o)ees under Arti$#e 20 of te Labor Code

6"LD

>"S. Reinstate/ent /eans restoration to a state or $ondition fro/ i$ one ad been re/oved or

se%arated. n $ase of %robationar) e/%#o)/ent, Arti$#e 21 of te Labor Code reuires te e/%#o)er to /a3e3non to is e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of te #atterJs engage/ent of te reasonab#e standards under i$ te)/a) ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee. n te $ase at bar, tere is noting on te #etter of a%%oint/ent tat teire/%#o)/ent as /eter readers as on %robationar) basis. t as not son tat te) ere infor/ed eiter, atte ti/e of teir a%%oint/ent, te reasonab#e standards under i$ te) $ou#d ua#if) as regu#ar e/%#o)ees.nstead, te) ere initia##) engaged to %erfor/ teir ob for a #i/ited %eriod, teir e/%#o)/ent being fiHed for adefinite %eriod. :e %rin$i%#e enun$iated in !rent S$oo#, n$. vs. Ka/ora a%%#ies on#) to fiHed ter/e/%#o)/ents. i#e it is true tat te %etitioners ere initia##) e/%#o)ed on a fiHed ter/ basis as teire/%#o)/ent $ontra$ts ere on#) for a /ont, te) ere a##oed to $ontinue or3ing in te sa/e $a%a$it) as/eter readers itout te benefit of a ne $ontra$t or itout te ter/ of teir e/%#o)/ent being fiHed a

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ne. After ;$tober +1, 1991, te e/%#o)/ent of %etitioners is no #onger on a fiHed ter/ basis. :e $o/%#eHionof te e/%#o)/ent re#ationsi% is tota##) $anged for te %etitioners ave attained te status of regu#are/%#o)ees. =nder Arti$#e 20 of te Labor Code, tere are to instan$es ereb) it is deter/ined tat ane/%#o)ee is regu#ar 1E te %arti$u#ar a$tivit) %erfor/ed b) te e/%#o)ee is ne$essar) or desirab#e to teusua# trade or business of te e/%#o)er or 2E if te e/%#o)ee as been %erfor/ing te ob for at #east one)ear. :e %etitioners fa## under te first $ategor). :e ob of a /eter reader is ne$essar) to te business of!"N"C; sin$e un#ess te /eter reader re$ords te e#e$tri$ $onsu/%tion of te subs$ribing %ub#i$, tere $ou#dnot be a va#id basis for bi##ing te $usto/ers of !"N"C;. :e fa$t tat te %etitioners ere a##oed to

$ontinue or3ing after te eH%iration of teir e/%#o)/ent is eviden$e of te ne$essit) and desirabi#it) of teirservi$e to !"N"C;Js business. Sin$e %etitioners are a#read) regu#ar e/%#o)ees at te ti/e of teir i##ega#dis/issa# fro/ e/%#o)/ent, te) are entit#ed to be reinstated to teir for/er %osition as regu#ar e/%#o)ees,not /ere#) %robationar). oreover, under Arti$#e 279, as a/ended b) R.A. No. &715, an i##ega##) dis/issede/%#o)ee is entit#ed to fu## ba$3ages, in$#usive of a##oan$es and to is oter benefits or teir /onetar)euiva#ent $o/%uted fro/ te ti/e is $o/%ensation as ite#d fro/ i/ u% to te ti/e of is a$tua#reinstate/ent. :erefore, %etitionersJ ba$3ages sou#d not be #i/ited to one )ear on#).

G.R. No. 12+9+ a) 21, 199

LA!;R C;NGR"SS ;( :6" -6L--N"S LC-E,%etitioners vs.

NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N, "-R" (;;D -R;D=C:S, res%ondents.

(a$ts

ssue

6e#d

G.R. No. 79&9 Se%te/ber 5, 1991(;R:=NA:; "RCAD;, SR., et.a#,

%etitioner vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N NLRCE, S:;. N@; R"AL:>,NC;R-;RA:"D, et.a#., res%ondents.

(a$ts

-etitioners ere agri$u#tura# or3ers for a sugar %#antation. :eir e/%#o)/ent it te %rivateres%ondent as seasona# i$ /eans teir servi$es are usua##) uti#i8ed during te %#anting season andduring arvest season of sugar $ane. -etitioners fi#ed a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa#, under%a)/ent ofages, non%a)/ent of overti/e %a), o#ida) %a), servi$e in$entive #eave benefits, e/ergen$) $ost of#iving a##oan$es and 1+t /ont %a) against %rivate res%ondents. -etitioners a##eged in teir $o/%#ainttat te) ere agri$u#tura# or3ers uti#i8ed b) %rivate res%ondents in a## te agri$u#tura# %ases of or3on te sugar #and of te res%ondents and tat te) or3ed in te far/ sin$e 19'9 to 1979.

-rivate res%ondent Aurora Cru8 in er anser to %etitionersF $o/%#aint denied tat said%etitioners ere er regu#ar e/%#o)ees and instead averred tat se engaged teir servi$es, trougS%ouses (ortunato er$ado, Sr. and Rosa er$ado, teir I/andaro#sI, tat is, %ersons o ta3e $argein su%%#)ing te nu/ber of or3ers needed b) oners of various far/s, but on#) to do a %arti$u#ar %aseof agri$u#tura# or3 ne$essar) in ri$e %rodu$tion andor sugar $ane %rodu$tion, after i$ te) ou#d befree to render servi$es to oter far/ oners o need teir servi$es.

-etitioners sub/it tat it ou#d be unust, if not un#afu#, to $onsider te/ as $asua# or3erssin$e te) ave been doing a## %ases of agri$u#tura# or3 for so /an) )ears, a$tivities i$ areundeniab#) ne$essar), desirab#e and indis%ensab#e in te ri$e and sugar $ane %rodu$tion businessof te %rivate res%ondents $iting Art. 20 of te Labor Code s%e$ifi$a##) on %aragra% 2.

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:e Labor Arbiter, as affir/ed b) te NLRC, ru#ed in favor of %rivate res%ondents and e#d tat%etitioners ere not regu#ar and %er/anent or3ers of te %rivate res%ondents, for te nature of teter/s and $onditions of teir iring revea# tat te) ere reuired to %erfor/ %ases of agri$u#tura# or3for a definite %eriod of ti/e after i$ teir servi$es ou#d be avai#ab#e to an) oter far/ oner.

ssue

eter or not %etitioners are regu#ar and %er/anent far/ or3ers and terefore entit#ed tote benefits i$ te) %ra) for

6e#d

:e Court e#d, %etitioners $ontention tat te %rovision in te se$ond %aragra% of Art.20Js a%%#i$abi#it) to teir $ase and sou#d ave been $onsidered as regu#ar e/%#o)ees b) virtue ofsaid %rovision is itout /erit. :e first %aragra% of Art. 20 of te Labor Code ansered teuestion of o are e/%#o)ees. t states tat, regard#ess of an) ritten or ora# agree/ent to te$ontrar), an e/%#o)ee is dee/ed regu#ar ere e is engaged in ne$essar) or desirab#e a$tivit ies inte usua# business or trade of te e/%#o)er, eH$e%t for %roe$t e/%#o)ees.

A %roe$t e/%#o)ee as been defined to be one ose e/%#o)/ent as been fiHed for as%e$ifi$ %roe$t or underta3ing, te $o/%#etion or ter/ination of i$ as been deter/ined at teti/e of te engage/ent of te e/%#o)ee, or ere te or3 or servi$e to be %erfor/ed is seasona#in nature and te e/%#o)/ent is for te duration of te season as in te %resent $ase.

:e se$ond %aragra% of Art. 20 de/ar$ates as I$asua#I e/%#o)ees, a## oter e/%#o)eeso do not fan under te definition of te %re$eding %aragra%. :e %roviso, in said se$ond%aragra%, dee/s as regu#ar e/%#o)ees tose I$asua#I e/%#o)ees o ave rendered at #east one)ear of servi$e regard#ess of te fa$t tat su$ servi$e /a) be $ontinuous or bro3en.

:e genera# ru#e is tat a %rovision is to ua#if) or /odif) on#) te %rase i//ediate#) %re$edingit or restrain or #i/it te genera#it) of te $#ause tat it i//ediate#) fo##os. :us, it as been e#d tat a%rovision is to be $onstrued it referen$e to te i//ediate#) %re$eding %art of te %rovision to i$ itis atta$ed, and not to te statute itse#f or to oter se$tions tereof. :e on#) eH$e%tion to tis ru#e isere te $#ear #egis#ative intent is to restrain or ua#if) not on#) te %rase i//ediate#) %re$eding it buta#so ear#ier %rovisions of te statute or even te statute itse#f as a o#e.

C#ear#), terefore, %etitioners being %roe$t e/%#o)ees, or, to use te $orre$t ter/, seasona#e/%#o)ees, teir e/%#o)/ent #ega##) ends u%on $o/%#etion of te %roe$t or te season. :eter/ination of teir e/%#o)/ent $annot and sou#d not $onstitute an i##ega# dis/issa#.

G.R. No. 15++2. ar$ 1, 2005

(L-NAS -R"(A!RCA:"D !=LDNG S>S:"S (LS>S:"SE, NC., and ("L-" A.CR=K 4R., -etitioners, vs.R;G"R D. -="N:", Res%ondent.

(a$ts

Res%ondent avers tat e started or3ing it %etitioner, (i#s)ste/s, n$., a $or%oration engaged in$onstru$tion business, on 4une 12, 199 tat e as initia##) ired b) %etitioner$o/%an) as an Minsta##erJ tate as #ater %ro/oted to /obi#e $rane o%erator and as stationed at te $o/%an) %re/ises at No. &9ndustria Road, !agu/ba)an, ?ue8on Cit) tat is or3 as not de%endent on te $o/%#etion or ter/ination

of an) %roe$t tat sin$e is or3 as not de%endent on an) %roe$t, is e/%#o)/ent it te %etitioner$o/%an) as $ontinuous and itout interru%tion for te %ast ten 10E )ears tat on ;$tober 1, 1999, e asdis/issed fro/ is e/%#o)/ent a##eged#) be$ause e as a %roe$t e/%#o)ee. 6e fi#ed a %ro for/a $o/%#aintfor i##ega# dis/issa# against te %etitioner$o/%an) on Nove/ber 1, 1999.

:e %etitioner$o/%an) oever $#ai/s tat $o/%#ainant as ired as a %roe$t e/%#o)ee inte $o/%an)Js various %roe$ts tat is e/%#o)/ent $ontra$ts soed tat e as a %roe$t or3erit s%e$ifi$ %roe$t assign/ents tat after $o/%#etion of ea$ %roe$t assign/ent, is e/%#o)/entas #i3eise ter/inated and te sa/e as $orres%onding#) re%orted to te D;L".

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:e Labor Arbiter, as affir/ed b) te NLRC, dis/issed te $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# for #a$3of /erit. 6oever, te CA reversed te de$ision and $on$#uded tat res%ondent as a regu#ar e/%#o)eeof %etitioners. :e %re/ised its de$ision on te fo##oing stating tat, te e/%#o)/ent $ontra$ts signedb) %etitioner -uente do not ave te s%e$ified duration for ea$ %roe$t $ontrar) to te %rovision of Arti$#e20 of te Labor Code, nor did %etitioner or3 in te %roe$t sites, but ad a#a)s been assigned at te$o/%an) %#ant attending to te /aintenan$e of a## /obi#e $ranes of te $o/%an), %erfor/ing tas3s vita#and desirab#e in te e/%#o)erJs usua# business for ten 10E $ontinuous )ears.

ssueeter or not te %rivate res%ondent is a regu#ar e/%#o)ee and not a %roe$t e/%#o)ee

6e#d

:e Court e#d, De%art/ent ;rder No. 19, i$ states aE -roe$t e/%#o)ees ose aggregate%eriod of $ontinuous e/%#o)/ent in a $onstru$tion $o/%an) is at #east one )ear sa## be $onsideredregu#ar e/%#o)ees, in te absen$e of a Ida) $ertainI agreed u%on b) te %arties for te ter/ination ofteir re#ationsi%. -roe$t e/%#o)ees o ave be$o/e regu#ar sa## be entit#ed to se%aration %a).

A Ida)I as used erein, is understood to be tat i$ /ust ne$essari#) $o/e, a#toug is /a) not be3non eHa$t#) en. :is /eans tat ere te fina# $o/%#etion of a %roe$t or %ase tereof is in fa$tdeter/inab#e and te eH%e$ted $o/%#etion is /ade 3non to te e/%#o)ee, su$ %roe$t e/%#o)ee /a) notbe $onsidered regu#ar, notitstanding te one)ear duration of e/%#o)/ent in te %roe$t or %ase tereof or

te one)ear duration of to or /ore e/%#o)/ents in te sa/e %roe$t or %ase of te obe$t."vident#), a#toug te e/%#o)/ent $ontra$t did not state a %arti$u#ar date, it did s%e$if) tat te

ter/ination of te %artiesJ e/%#o)/ent re#ationsi% as to be on a Ida) $ertainI te da) en te %ase ofor3 ter/ed ILifting 6au#ing of ateria#sI for te Ior#d (inan$e -#a8aI %roe$t ou#d be $o/%#eted. :us,res%ondent $annot be $onsidered to ave been a regu#ar e/%#o)ee. 6e as a %roe$t e/%#o)ee.

:at e as e/%#o)ed it -etitioner (i#s)ste/s for ten )ears in various %roe$ts did noti%so fa$to /a3e i/ a regu#ar e/%#o)ee, $onsidering tat te definition of regu#ar e/%#o)/ent inArti$#e 20 of te Labor Code /a3es a s%e$ifi$ eH$e%tion it res%e$t to %roe$t e/%#o)/ent. :e/ere reiring of res%ondent on a %roe$tto%roe$t basis did not $onfer u%on i/ regu#are/%#o)/ent status. I:e %ra$ti$e as di$tated b) te %ra$ti$a# $onsideration tat eH%erien$ed$onstru$tion or3ers are /ore %referred.I t did not $ange is status as a %roe$t e/%#o)ee.

G.R. No. 152'27. August 9, 2005

N:"GRA:"D C;N:RAC:;R AND -L=!NG ;R


9/32

ssueeter or not te res%ondent is a %roe$t e/%#o)ee of te %etitioner or a regu#ar e/%#o)ee

6e#d

:e Court e#d, te test to deter/ine eter e/%#o)/ent is regu#ar or not is te reasonab#e$onne$tion beteen te %arti$u#ar a$tivit) %erfor/ed b) te e/%#o)ee in re#ation to te usua#business or trade of te e/%#o)er. A#so, if te e/%#o)ee as been %erfor/ing te ob for at #east one)ear, even if te %erfor/an$e is not $ontinuous or /ere#) inter/ittent, te #a dee/s te re%eated

and $ontinuing need for its %erfor/an$e as suffi$ient eviden$e of te ne$essit), if notindis%ensabi#it) of tat a$tivit) to te business. :us, e e#d tat ere te e/%#o)/ent of %roe$te/%#o)ees is eHtended #ong after te su%%osed %roe$t as been finised, te e/%#o)ees arere/oved fro/ te s$o%e of %roe$t e/%#o)ees and are $onsidered regu#ar e/%#o)ees.

i#e #engt of ti/e /a) not be te $ontro##ing test for %roe$t e/%#o)/ent, it is vita# in deter/ining ifte e/%#o)ee as ired for a s%e$ifi$ underta3ing or tas3ed to %erfor/ fun$tions vita#, ne$essar) andindis%ensab#e to te usua# business or trade of te e/%#o)er. 6ere, %rivate res%ondent ad been a %roe$te/%#o)ee severa# ti/es over. 6is e/%#o)/ent $eased to be $oter/inous it s%e$ifi$ %roe$ts en e asre%eated#) reired due to te de/ands of %etitionerJs business. ere fro/ te $ir$u/stan$es it is a%%arenttat %eriods ave been i/%osed to %re$#ude te a$uisition of tenuria# se$urit) b) te e/%#o)ee, te) sou#dbe stru$3 don as $ontrar) to %ub#i$ %o#i$), /ora#s, good $usto/s or %ub#i$ order.

(urter, -o#i$) nstru$tions No. 20 reuires e/%#o)ers to sub/it a re%ort of an e/%#o)eeJs

ter/ination to te nearest %ub#i$ e/%#o)/ent offi$e ever) ti/e is e/%#o)/ent as ter/inated due to a$o/%#etion of a %roe$t. :e fai#ure of te e/%#o)er to fi#e ter/ination re%orts is an indi$ation tat tee/%#o)ee is not a %roe$t e/%#o)ee. De%art/ent ;rder No. 19 su%erseding -o#i$) nstru$tions No. 20a#so eH%ress#) %rovides tat te re%ort of ter/ination is one of te indi$ations of %roe$t e/%#o)/ent. nte $ase at bar, tere as on#) one #ist of ter/inated or3ers sub/itted to te De%art/ent of Labor and"/%#o)/ent. f %rivate res%ondent as a %roe$t e/%#o)ee, %etitioner sou#d ave sub/itted ater/ination re%ort for ever) $o/%#etion of a %roe$t to i$ te for/er as assigned.

4uHta%osing %rivate res%ondentJs e/%#o)/ent istor), vis te reuire/ents in te test todeter/ine if e is a regu#ar or3er, e are $onstrained to sa) e is.

As a regu#ar or3er, %rivate res%ondent is entit#ed to se$urit) of tenure under Arti$#e 279 ofte Labor Code and $an on#) be re/oved for $ause. e found no va#id $ause attending to %rivateres%ondentJs dis/issa# and found a#so tat is dis/issa# as itout due %ro$ess.

G.R. No. 11052' ar$ 1', 2000

D;=GLAS LLAR"S and R;G"L; LAGDA,%etitioners, vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N, :RANSGL;!AL AR:" AG"NC>,NC. and "SS; N:"RNA:;NAL S6--NG C;., L:D., res%ondents.

(a$ts

-etitioners ere e/%#o)ed as sea/en of te %rivate res%ondent. -etitioner i##ares as e/%#o)ed b)%rivate res%ondent "SS; nternationa# troug its #o$a# /anning agen$), %rivate res%ondent :ransG#oba# in19& as a /a$inist. n 1975, e as %ro/oted as Cief "ngineer i$ %osition e o$$u%ied unti# e o%ted toretire in 199. i#e on #eave, i##ares infor/ed "SS; nternationa# of is intention to avai# of te o%tiona#retire/ent %#an under te Conse$utive "n#ist/ent n$entive -#an C"-E $onsidering tat e ad a#read)rendered /ore tan tent) 20E )ears of $ontinuous servi$e but as denied. i##ares fi#ed for an eHtension of#eave of absen$e and as a%%roved but after so/e ti/e e re$eive a noti$e ter/inating is e/%#o)/ent of tebasis tat e ad gone A;L. n te $ase of te oter %etitioner, Lagda, e as e/%#o)ed b) %rivateres%ondent "sso nternationa# as i%eroi#er in 4une 19&9. 6e as %ro/oted as Cief "ngineer in 190, a%osition e $ontinued to o$$u%) unti# is #ast $ontra$t of en#ist/ent eH%ired on A%ri# 10, 199. -etitioner Lagda,a%%#ied for a #eave on a) 199 u% to te o#e /ont of August 199 but is e/%#o)er a%%roved on#) u% to4u#) 199 of is #eave and advised i/ to re%ort for reassign/ent on 4u#) 199. -etitioner Lagda rote a #etterinfor/ing res%ondent of is intention to avai# of te o%tiona# ear#) retire/ent %#an in vie of is


10/32

tent) 20E )ears $ontinuous servi$e in te $o/%an) but as denied. 6e ten a%%#ied for a L;A u%to August 2&, 199 and as a%%roved. 6oever, on te neHt /ont res%ondent advised %etitionertat e ad been dro%%ed fro/ te roster of $re /e/bers.

;n ;$tober 5, 199, %etitioners i##ares and Lagda fi#ed a $o/%#aintaffidavit, for i##ega# dis/issa# andnon%a)/ent of e/%#o)ee benefits against %rivate res%ondents "sso nternationa# and :ransG#oba#, beforete -;"A. -;"A rendered a de$ision dis/issing te $o/%#aint for #a$3 of /erit and as affir/ed b) te CA.

-etitioners $ontend tat %ub#i$ res%ondent NLRC grave#) abused its dis$retion in ru#ing tat te) arenot regu#ar e/%#o)ees but are /ere#) $ontra$tua# e/%#o)ees ose e/%#o)/ents are ter/inated ever) ti/e

teir $ontra$ts of e/%#o)/ent eH%ire. -etitioners furter aver tat after rendering tent) 20E $onse$utive)ears of servi$e, %erfor/ing a$tivities i$ ere ne$essar) and desirab#e in te trade or business of %rivateres%ondents, te) sou#d be $onsidered regu#ar e/%#o)ees under Arti$#e 20 of te Labor Code.

ssueeter or not %etitioners ere regu#ar e/%#o)ees

6e#d

:e Court e#d, te %ri/ar) standard to deter/ine a regu#ar e/%#o)/ent is te reasonab#e$onne$tion beteen te %arti$u#ar a$tivit) %erfor/ed b) te e/%#o)ee in re#ation to te usua#business or trade of te e/%#o)er. :e test is eter te for/er is usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#ein te usua# business or trade of te e/%#o)er.

:e $onne$tion $an be deter/ined b) $onsidering te nature of te or3 %erfor/ed and itsre#ation to te s$e/e of te %arti$u#ar business or trade in its entiret). A#so, if te e/%#o)ee as been%erfor/ing te ob for at #east one )ear, even if te %erfor/an$e is not $ontinuous or /ere#) inter/ittent,te #a dee/s te re%eated and $ontinuing need for its %erfor/an$e as suffi$ient eviden$e of tene$essit) if not indis%ensabi#it) of tat a$tivit) to te business. 6en$e, te e/%#o)/ent is a#so $onsideredregu#ar, but on#) it res%e$t to su$ a$tivit) and i#e su$ a$tivit) eHists.

n te $ase at bar, it is undis%uted tat %etitioners ere e/%#o)ees of %rivate res%ondentsunti# teir servi$es ere ter/inated on Se%te/ber 1, 199. :e) served in teir $a%a$it) as Cief"ngineers, %erfor/ing a$tivities i$ ere ne$essar) and desirab#e in te business of %rivateres%ondents "sso nternationa#, a si%%ing $o/%an) and :ransG#oba#, its #o$a# /anning agen$)i$ su%%#ies te /an%oer and $re reuire/ents of "sso nternationa#Fs vesse#s.

t is, #i3eise, $#ear tat %etitioners ad been in te e/%#o) of %rivate res%ondents for 20

)ears. :e re$ords revea# tat %etitioners ere re%eated#) reired b) %rivate res%ondents evenafter te eH%iration of teir res%e$tive eigt/ont $ontra$ts. Su$ re%eated reiring i$$ontinued for 20 )ears, $annot but be a%%re$iated as suffi$ient eviden$e of te ne$essit) andindis%ensabi#it) of %etitionerFs servi$e to te %rivate res%ondentsF business or trade.

*eri#), as %etitioners ad rendered 20 )ears of servi$e, %erfor/ing a$tivities i$, erene$essar) and desirab#e in te business or trade of %rivate res%ondents, te) are, b) eH%ress%rovision of Arti$#e 20 of te Labor Code, $onsidered regu#ar e/%#o)ees.

G.R. No. 72222 4anuar) +0, 199

N:"RNA:;NAL CA:6;LC GRA:;N C;SS;N,%etitioner, vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N and !"RNAD"::" GALANG, res%ondents.

(a$ts

-etitioner nternationa# Cato#i$ igration Co//ission CCE, a non%rofit organi8ationdedi$ated to refugee servi$e at te -i#i%%ine Refugee -ro$essing Center in orong, !ataanengaged te servi$es of %rivate res%ondent !ernadette Ga#ang on 4anuar) 2', 19+ as a%robationar) $u#tura# orientation tea$er it a /ont#) sa#ar) of -2,000.00.

:ree +E /onts tereafter, %rivate res%ondent as infor/ed, ora##) and in riting, tat er servi$esere being ter/inated for er fai#ure to /eet te %res$ribed standards of %etitioner as ref#e$ted in te

9


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%erfor/an$e eva#uation of er su%ervisors during te tea$er eva#uation %rogra/ se underenta#ong it oter ne#)ired %ersonne#.

;n August 19+, %rivate res%ondent fi#ed a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa#, unfair #abor%ra$ti$e and un%aid ages against %etitioner it te ten inistr) of Labor and "/%#o)/ent,%ra)ing for reinstate/ent it ba$3ages, eHe/%#ar) and /ora# da/ages.

;n ;$tober 19+, after te %arties sub/itted teir res%e$tive %osition %a%ers and oter%#eadings, te Labor Arbiter rendered is de$ision dis/issing te $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# ase## as te $o/%#aint for /ora# and eHe/%#ar) da/ages but ordering te %etitioner to %a) %rivate

res%ondent te su/ of -&,000.00 as %a)/ent for te #ast tree +E /onts of te agreede/%#o)/ent %eriod %ursuant to er verba# $ontra$t of e/%#o)/ent.

Dissatisfied, %etitioner fi#ed te instant %etition. -etitioner /aintains tat %rivate res%ondentis not entit#ed to te aard of sa#ar) for te uneH%ired tree/ont %ortion of te %robationar) %eriodsin$e er servi$es ere ter/inated during su$ %eriod en se fai#ed to ua#if) as a regu#are/%#o)ee in a$$ordan$e it te reasonab#e standards %res$ribed b) %etitioner.

ssueeter or not %rivate res%ondent is a %robationar) e/%#o)ee

6e#d

:e Court e#d, :ere is no dis%ute tat %rivate res%ondent as ter/inated during er

%robationar) %eriod of e/%#o)/ent for fai#ure to ua#if) as a regu#ar /e/ber of %etitionerFs tea$ingstaff in a$$ordan$e it its reasonab#e standards. Re$ords so tat %rivate res%ondent as foundb) %etitioner to be defi$ient in $#assroo/ /anage/ent, tea$erstudent re#ationsi% and tea$ingte$niues. (ai#ure to ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee in a$$ordan$e it te reasonab#e standards ofte e/%#o)er is a ust $ause for ter/inating a %robationar) e/%#o)ee s%e$ifi$a##) re$ogni8ed underArti$#e 22 no Arti$#e 21E of te Labor Code i$ %rovides tus

AR:. 21. -robationar) e/%#o)/ent. O -robationar) e/%#o)/ent sa## not eH$eed siH/onts fro/ te date te e/%#o)ee started or3ing, un#ess it is $overed b) ana%%renti$esi% agree/ent sti%u#ating a #onger %eriod. :e servi$es of an e/%#o)er o asbeen engaged in a %robationar) basis /a) be ter/inated for a ust $ause or en e fai#s toua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)er in a$$ordan$e it reasonab#e standard /ade 3non b) tee/%#o)er to te e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of is engage/ent. An e/%#o)ee o is a##oed toor3 after a %robationar) %eriod sa## be $onsidered a regu#ar e/%#o)ee.

A %robationar) e/%#o)ee, as understood under Arti$#e 22 no Arti$#e 21E of te LaborCode, is one o is on tria# b) an e/%#o)er during i$ te e/%#o)er deter/ines eter or note is ua#ified for %er/anent e/%#o)/ent. A %robationar) a%%oint/ent is /ade to afford tee/%#o)er an o%%ortunit) to observe te fitness of a %robationer i#e at or3, and to as$ertaineter e i## be$o/e a %ro%er and effi$ient e/%#o)ee. :e ord I%robationar)I, as used todes$ribe te %eriod of e/%#o)/ent, i/%#ies te %ur%ose of te ter/ or %eriod, but not its #engt.

!eing in te nature of a Itria# %eriodI te essen$e of a %robationar) %eriod of e/%#o)/entfunda/enta##) #ies in te %ur%ose or obe$tive sougt to be attained b) bot te e/%#o)er and tee/%#o)ee during said %eriod. :e #engt of ti/e is i//ateria# in deter/ining te $orre#ative rigts ofbot in dea#ing it ea$ oter during said %eriod. i#e te e/%#o)er, as stated ear#ier, observeste fitness, %ro%riet) and effi$ien$) of a %robationer to as$ertain eter e is ua#ified for%er/anent e/%#o)/ent, te %robationer, on te oter, see3s to %rove to te e/%#o)er, tat e aste ua#ifi$ations to /eet te reasonab#e standards for %er/anent e/%#o)/ent.

t is e## sett#ed tat te e/%#o)er as te rigt or is at #ibert) to $oose o i## be ired and oi## be denied e/%#o)/ent. n tat sense, it is itin te eHer$ise of te rigt to se#e$t ise/%#o)ees tat te e/%#o)er /a) set or fiH a %robationar) %eriod itin i$ te #atter /a) testand observe te $ondu$t of te for/er before iring i/ %er/anent#).

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G.R. No. 7'2'& 4anuar) 2&, 199

ARASA AN=(AC:=RNG, NC., and ANG"L :. DAK;,%etitioners, vs.6;N. *C"N:" L";GARD;, 4R., in is $a%a$it) as De%ut) inister of inistr) of Labor and"/%#o)/ent udg/ent, and 4;A?=N A. D"?=LA, res%ondents.

(a$ts

-rivate res%ondent Deui##a as ired on %robation b) %etitioner ariasa anufa$turing, n$. as agenera# uti#it) or3er on 4anuar) 1979. =%on te eH%iration of te %robationar) %eriod of siH /onts, Deui#aas infor/ed b) is e/%#o)er tat is or3 ad %roved unsatisfa$tor) and ad fai#ed to /eet te reuiredstandards. :o give i/ a $an$e to i/%rove is %erfor/an$e and ua#if) for regu#ar e/%#o)/ent, instead ofdis%ensing it is servi$e ten and tere, it is ritten $onsent ariasa eHtended is %robation %eriod foranoter tree /onts fro/ 4u#) to ;$tober 1979. 6is %erfor/an$e, oever, did not i/%rove and on tata$$ount ariasa ter/inated is e/%#o)/ent at te end of te eHtended %eriod. Deui#a tereu%on fi#ed itte inistr) of Labor against ariasa a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# and vio#ation of -residentia# De$reesNos. 92 and 1+9 but as dis/issed b) inistr) of Labor NCR and ru#ed tat te ter/ination of Deui#aFse/%#o)/ent as in te $ir$u/stan$es ustified and ree$ted is /one) $#ai/s for insuffi$ien$) of eviden$e. ;n

a%%ea# to te ;ffi$e of te inister, oever, said dis%osition as reversed and e#d tat Deui#a as a#read)a regu#ar e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of is dis/issa#, terefore, $ou#d not ave been #afu##) dis/issed for fai#ure to/eet $o/%an) standards as a %robationar) or3er.

ssueeter or not %rivate res%ondent is a %robationar) e/%#o)ee on#)

6e#d:e Court e#d, Art. 22 of te Labor Code, i$ %rovides tat

Art. 22. -robationar) "/%#o)/ent. O -robationar) e/%#o)/ent sa## not eH$eed siH &E/onts fro/ te date te e/%#o)ee started or3ing, un#ess it is $overed b) an

a%%renti$esi% agree/ent sti%u#ating a #onger %eriod. :e servi$es of an e/%#o)ee o asbeen engaged on a %robationar) basis /a) be ter/inated for a ust $ause or en e fai#sto ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee in a$$ordan$e it reasonab#e standards /ade 3non b)te e/%#o)er to te e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of is engage/ent. An e/%#o)ee o is a##oed toor3 after %robationar) %eriod sa## be $onsidered a regu#ar e/%#o)ee.F

:e eHtension of Deui#aFs %robation as eH gratia, an a$t of #ibera#it) on te %art of ise/%#o)er affording i/ a se$ond $an$e to /a3e good after aving initia##) fai#ed to %rove is ortas an e/%#o)ee. Su$ an a$t $annot no unust#) be turned against said e/%#o)erFs a$$ount to$o/%e# it to 3ee% on its %a)ro## one o $ou#d not %erfor/ a$$ording to its or3 standards. :e #a,sure#), as never /eant to %rodu$e su$ an ineuitab#e resu#t.

!) vo#untari#) agreeing to an eHtension of te %robationar) %eriod, Deui#a in effe$t aived an)

benefit atta$ing to te $o/%#etion of said %eriod if e sti## fai#ed to /a3e te grade during te %eriod ofeHtension. :e Court finds noting in te #a i$ b) an) fair inter%retation %roibits su$ a aiver. Andno %ub#i$ %o#i$) %rote$ting te e/%#o)ee and te se$urit) of is tenure is served b) %res$ribing vo#untar)agree/ents i$, b) reasonab#) eHtending te %eriod of %robation, a$tua##) i/%rove and furter a%robationar) e/%#o)eeFs %ros%e$ts of de/onstrating is fitness for regu#ar e/%#o)/ent.

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G.R. No. 291 ar$ 11, 1991

LA SAL"::" ;( SAN:AG;, NC.,%etitioner, vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N and CLAR:A 4A*"R, res%ondents.

(a$ts-rivate res%ondent as been assigned to different ad/inistrative and tea$ing %ositions of te

%etitionerJs s$oo# s)ste/, a %rivate s$oo# s)ste/, ere %rivate res%ondent as initia##) e/%#o)ed for tree)ears as ig s$oo# %rin$i%a#. n 19' to 19& %rivate res%ondent as again assigned as te ig s$oo#%rin$i%a# of te %etitioner. After er ter/ as ig s$oo# %rin$i%a# se re$eived a #etter fro/ te %etitionerinstru$ting er to re%ort to La Sa##ete Co##ege and stating te %erson as er re%#a$e/ent as ig s$oo#%rin$i%a#. -rivate res%ondent rote a #etter to te %etitioner $o/%#aining of er sudden re/ova# as ig s$oo#%rin$i%a# but did not re$eived an) re%#) so se fi#ed a $o/%#aint before te Labor Arbiter for i##ega# dis/issa#.:e Labor Arbiter de$ided in er favor and te CA affir/ed te de$ision of te Labor Arbiter.

ssue

eter or not %rivate res%ondent ad a$uired %er/anen$), or tenure in te %osition of

ig s$oo# %rin$i%a# of te edu$ationa# s)ste/ of La Sa#ette of Santiago n$.

6e#d

:e Court e#d, a$$ording to -o#i$) nstru$tions No. 11 issued b) te De%art/ent of Labor and"/%#o)/ent, te %robationar) e/%#o)/ent of %rofessors, instru$tors and tea$ers sa## be sube$t tostandards estab#ised b) te De%art/ent of "du$ation and Cu#ture. Said standards are e/bodied in%aragra% 75 of te anua# of Regu#ations for -rivate S$oo#s. =n#i3e tea$ers assistant instru$tors,assistant, %rofessors, asso$iate %rofessors, fu## %rofessorsE o as%ire for and eH%e$t to a$uired%er/anen$), or se$urit) of tenure, in teir e/%#o)/ent, as fa$u#t) /e/bers, tea$ers o are a%%ointed asde%art/ent eads or ad/inistrative offi$ia#s e.g., $o##ege or de%art/ent se$retaries %rin$i%a#s, dire$tors,assistant deans, deansE do not nor/a##), and sou#d not eH%e$t to, a$uire a se$ond status of %er/anen$), oran additiona# or se$ond se$urit) of tenure as su$ offi$er. :e a$uisition of su$ an additiona# tenure, to

re%eat, is not $onsistent it nor/a# %ra$ti$e, $onstitutes te eH$e%tion rater tan te ru#e, and /a) ta3e%#a$e on#) ere $ategori$a##) and eH%#i$it#) %rovided b) #a or agree/ent of te %arties.

:erefore, %rivate res%ondent did not a$uire %er/anen$) or tenure in te %osition of igs$oo# %rin$i%a# of te edu$ationa# s)ste/ of La Sa##ete of Santiago n$.

G.R. No. 17011, 4une 2&, 2006anin vs. bane8

(AC:S

(e#i$ito bane8 tire/anE, "#/er Ga$u#a Crane ;%eratorE, "#/er Dagotdot e#derE, A#igasCaro#ino e#derE, Rue# Ca#da areouse/anE fi#ed a $o/%#aint at te NLRC for i##ega# dis/issa# it

%ra)er for reinstate/ent and %a)/ent of ba$3ages. :e grou% a##eged tat te $ontra$t te) ave isgood for tree /onts, sube$t to auto/ati$ renea# if tere is no noti$e of ter/ination fro/ 6anin, andtat te $ontra$t ou#d auto/ati$a##) ter/inate u%on te $o/%#etion of te %roe$t. :e) furter averredtat during te ti/e te) ere dis/issed, te %roe$t as sti## ongoing and 6anin ired %eo%#e for te%ositions tat te) ad va$ated. Last#), te) a#so a##ege tat te) are entit#ed to a $o/%#etion bonus as%art of te industr) %ra$ti$e and tis as substantiated b) %ast %a)ro## %a)/ents. 6anin fai#ed to furnisa $o%) of te $ontra$t agree/ents it te dis/issed grou%. nstead it soed te uit$#ai/s tat adbeen eHe$uted b) te grou% tat re#eased 6anin and its re%resentatives fro/ an) $#ai/s it teire/%#o)/ent. t $ontained $#earan$e $ertifi$ates tat so tat res%ondents are free fro/ a$$ountabi#it).

SS="

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;N te /e/bers of te dis/issed grou% are %roe$t e/%#o)ees

6"LD

No, 6anin as unab#e to %rove te) ere not regu#ar e/%#o)ees. :e reiring of $onstru$tionor3ers on a %roe$t to %roe$t basis does not $onfer u%on te/ regu#ar e/%#o)/ent status, sin$e teirreiring is on#) a natura# $onseuen$e of te fa$t tat eH%erien$ed $onstru$tion or3ers are %referred."/%#o)ees o are ired for $arr)ing out a se%arate ob, distin$t fro/ te oter underta3ings of te$o/%an), te s$o%e and duration of i$ as been deter/ined and /ade 3non to te e/%#o)ees at

te ti/e of te e/%#o)/ent, are %ro%er#) treated as %roe$t e/%#o)ees and teir servi$es /a) be #afu##)ter/inated u%on te $o/%#etion of a %roe$t. Sou#d te ter/s of teir e/%#o)/ent fai# to $o/%#) it tisstandard, te) $annot be $onsidered %roe$t e/%#o)ees. 6anin as unab#e to so te ritten $ontra$tsit ad it te or3ers. i#e te absen$e of te $ontra$t does not grant %er/anent status it is teburden of te e/%#o)er to %rove tat te e/%#o)ees ere aare tat teir $ontra$t it te $o/%an) isfor %er %roe$t on#). i#e 6anin sub/itted a ter/ination re%ort in$#uding te or3erJs na/es to %rovetat te servi$es of teir servi$es ere on#) $ontra$ted for a %er %roe$t basis, 6anin on#) sub/itted onere%ort. t as unab#e to dis%rove te a##egation of te or3ers tat te) ere %art of a %oo# tat 6anin$onta$ts on$e a %roe$t is to be $o/%#eted.

"/%#o)ers $annot /is#ead teir e/%#o)ees, ose or3 is ne$essar) and desirab#e in te for/erFs#ine of business, b) treating te/ as toug te) are %art of a or3 %oo# fro/ i$ or3ers $ou#d be$ontinua##) dran and ten assigned to various %roe$ts and tereafter denied regu#ar status at an) ti/e b) te

eH%edient a$t of fi#ing a :er/ination Re%ort. :is ou#d $onstitute a %ra$ti$e in i$ an e/%#o)ee is unust#)%re$#uded fro/ a$uiring se$urit) of tenure, $ontrar) to %ub#i$ %o#i$), /ora#s, good $usto/s and %ub#i$ order.

6anin a##eged tat %er De%art/ent ;rder 19, Series of 199+ of D;L", te %a)/ent of $o/%#etionbonus is furter %roof tat te or3ers ere on#) %roe$t e/%#o)ees as 6anin is /andated b) #a to %a) it tote te/%orar) or3ers ose $ontra$ts are about to end u%on te $o/%#etion of te %roe$t. SC vies te$o/%#etion bonus ter/ino#og) ere ref#e$tste fa$t tat te %roe$t as a#read) been $o/%#eted and tat is te%re/iu/ te) ised to %a). ?uit$#ai/s are vieed it disfavour, es%e$ia##) en P a.:ere is $#ear %rooftat te aiver as ang#ed fro/ an unsus%e$ting or gu##ib#e %erson b.ere te ter/s are un$ons$ionab#e inits fa$e.(or uit$#ai/s to be va#id, it /ust $onstitute a reasonab#e sett#e/ent $o//ensurate to teir #ega#rigts. t does not %re$#ude te/ fro/ see3ing benefits te) ere entit#ed to su$as ba$3 ages.:eres%ondents ere a#so not granted te tin reuire/ents of noti$e and earing.

G.R. No. 71&&', (ebruar) 2, 1992!aguio Countr) C#ub vs. NLRC

(a$ts

-etitioner !aguio Countr) C#ub Cor%oration $or%orationE is a re$reationa# estab#is/ent $ertified b)te /inistr) of #abor and e/%#o)/ent as an Qentertain/entservi$e estab#is/ent. -rivate res%ondent 4i//)Ca#a/ba as e/%#o)ed b) $or%oration on a da) to da) basis in various $a%a$ities as #aborer and disaserfor a %eriod of ten /onts. Ca#a/ba as ired again as a gardener and reired as su$ en e asdis/issed b) te %etitioner $or%oration. Ca#a/ba fi#ed a $o/%#aint against %etitioner $or%oration it te

/inistr) of #abor D;L"E for unfair #abor %ra$ti$e, i##ega# dis/issa# and non%a)/ent of 1+ t/ont %a). :eeHe$utive #abor arbiter ru#ed in favor of Ca#a/ba, de$#aring te #atter as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee and ordering

%etitioner $or%oration to reinstate Ca#a/ba to te %osition of gardener itout #oss of seniorit) and it fu##ba$3ages, benefits and %rivi#eges fro/ te ti/e of is dis/issa# u% to terein state/ent in$#uding 1+ t/ont%a). -etitioner $or%oration fi#ed an a%%ea# to te NLRC $ontending tat Ca#a/ba as a $ontra$tua# e/%#o)eeose e/%#o)/ent as for a fiHed and s%e$ifi$ %eriod as set fort and eviden$ed b) Ca#a/baJs $ontra$ts ofe/%#o)/ent. 6oever, te NLRC dis/issed te a%%ea# for #a$3 of /erit. :e #atter argued tat Ca#a/baaving rendered servi$es as #aborer, gardener, and disaser for /ore tan one )ear, as a regu#are/%#o)ee at te ti/e is e/%#o)/ent as ter/inated. 6en$e, tis %etition.

ssueeter or not Ca#a/ba is a regu#ar e/%#o)ee at te ti/e is e/%#o)/ent as ter/inated

1+


15/32

6e#d

>"S. :e $ourt e#d tat an e/%#o)/ent sa## be dee/ed to be regu#ar ere te e/%#o)ee as beenengaged to %erfor/ a$tivities i$ are usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business or trade of tee/%#o)er. A#so, if te e/%#o)ee as been %erfor/ing te ob for at #east one )ear, even if te %erfor/an$e isnot $ontinuous or /ere#) inter/ittent, te #a dee/s te re%eated and $ontinuing need for its %erfor/an$e as

suffi$ient eviden$e of te ne$essit) if not indis%ensabi#it) of tat a$tivit) to te business. 6en$e, tee/%#o)/ent is a#so $onsidered regu#ar, but on#) it res%e$t to su$ a$tivit) and i#e su$ a$tivit) eHists. nte $ase at bar, te re$ords revea# tat Ca#a/ba as re%eated#) reired to %erfor/ tas3s ranging fro/disasing and gardening, aside fro/ %erfor/ing /aintenan$e or3. Su$ re%eated reiring and te$ontinuing need for is servi$e are suffi$ient eviden$e of te ne$essit) and indis%ensabi#it) of is servi$e to te%etitionerJs business or trade. ;ing to Ca#a/baJs #engt of servi$e it te %etitionerJs $or%oration, ebe$a/e a regu#ar e/%#o)ee, b) o%eration of #a, one )ear after e as e/%#o)ed.

:e e/%#o)/ent $ontra$ts entered into b) Ca#a/ba it te %etitioner ave te %ur%ose of$ir$u/venting te e/%#o)eeJs se$urit) of tenure. :e $ourt terefore, rigorous#) disa%%roves said$ontra$ts i$ de/onstrate a $#ear atte/%t to eH%#oit te e/%#o)ee and de%rive i/ of te%rote$tion san$tioned b) te #abor $ode. t is noteort) tat at deter/ines eter a $ertaine/%#o)/ent is regu#ar or $asua# is not te i## and ord of te e/%#o)er, it is te nature of te

a$tivities %erfor/ed in re#ation to te %arti$u#ar business or trade $onsidering a## $ir$u/stan$es, andin so/e $ases te #engt of ti/e of its %erfor/an$e and its $ontinued eHisten$e.

G.R. No. 1'9+29, 4u#) 12, 200'-angi#inan vs. Genera# i##ing

(a$ts

Genera# i##ing Cor%oration is a do/esti$ $or%oration engaged in te %rodu$tion and sa#e of#ivesto$3 and %ou#tr) and is #i3eise te distributor of dressed $i$3en to various restaurants andestab#is/ents nationide. t e/%#o)s undreds of e/%#o)ees, so/e on a regu#ar basis and oters on a$asua# basis, as Qe/ergen$) or3ers. -etitioners in tis $ase ere e/%#o)ed b) GC on different dates

as e/ergen$) or3ers under se%arate Qte/%orar)$asua# $ontra$ts of e/%#o)/ent for a %eriod of five/onts. =%on te eH%iration of teir res%e$tive $ontra$ts, teir servi$es ere ter/inated. :e) #ater fi#edse%arate $o/%#aints for i##ega# dis/issa# and non%a)/ent of %arti$u#ar fees. -etitioners a##ege tat tereor3 as $i$3en dressers as ne$essar) and desirab#e in te usua# business of GC. :e) stressed tatbased on te nature of teir or3, te) ere regu#ar e/%#o)ees of te res%ondent, and terefore te)$ou#d not be dis/issed fro/ teir e/%#o)/ent un#ess for ust $ase and after due noti$e. :e) /adefurter assertions tat GC ter/inated teir $ontra$t of e/%#o)/ent itout ust $ause and due noti$eand tat GC $ou#d not re#) on te no/en$#ature of teir e/%#o)/ent as Qte/%orar) $asua#. :e LaborArbiter ru#ed in favour of te %etitioners, o#ding tat te) ere regu#ar e/%#o)ees and tat te) erei##ega##) dis/issed. =%on a%%ea# to te NLRC, te #atter reversed te de$ision of te Labor Arbiter ande#d tat te %etitioner, o ere te/%orar) or $ontra$tua# e/%#o)ees ere #ega##) ter/inated u%on teeH%iration of teir res%e$tive $ontra$ts, $iting te $ase of !rent S$oo#, n$. vs Ka/ora

ere it as e#d tat i#e %etitionersJ or3 as ne$essar) and desirab#e in te usua# business ofGC, te) $annot be$onsidered as regu#ar e/%#o)ees for aving agreed to a fiHed ter/. :e Courtof A%%ea#s affir/ed te de$ision of te NLRC.

ssue;N te %etitioners ere regu#ar e/%#o)ees of GC en teir e/%#o)/ent as ter/inated

6e#d

No. :e %etitioners ere e/%#o)ees it a fiHed %eriod, and, as su$, ere not regu#ar e/%#o)ees.:ere are to se%arate instan$es ereb) it $an be deter/ined tat an e/%#o)/ent is regu#ar 1E if te%arti$u#ar a$tivit) %erfor/ed b) te e/%#o)ee is ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business or trade of te

1'


16/32

e/%#o)er and 2E if te e/%#o)ee as been %erfor/ing te ob for at #east a )ear. n te $ase of St. :eresaJsS$oo# of Nova#i$es (oundation vs NLRC, it as e#d tat Arti$#e 20 of te Labor Code does not %ros$ribeor %roibit an e/%#o)/ent $ontra$t it a fiHed %eriod. t does not ne$essari#) fo##o tat ere te duties ofte e/%#o)ee $onsist of a$tivities usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business of te e/%#o)er, te%arties are forbidden fro/ agreeing on a %eriod of ti/e for te %erfor/an$e of su$ a$tivities.

Re$ords revea# tat te sti%u#ations in te e/%#o)/ent $ontra$ts ere 3noing#) and vo#untari#) agreed to b)te %etitioners itout for$e, duress or i/%ro%er %ressure, or an) $ir$u/stan$es tat vitiated teir $onsent.i#e te %etitionersJ e/%#o)/ent as $i$3en dressers is ne$essar) and desirab#e in te usua# business of te

res%ondent, te) ere e/%#o)ed on a /ere te/%orar) basis, sin$e teir e/%#o)/ent as #i/ited to a fiHed%eriod. As su$, te) $annot be said to be regu#ar e/%#o)ees, but are /ere#) Q$ontra$tua# e/%#o)ees.Conseuent#), tere as no i##ega# dis/issa# en teir servi$es ere ter/inated. La$3 of noti$e of ter/inationis of no $onseuen$e, be$ause te it as s%e$ified in te $ontra$t en it sa## eH%ire.

G.R. No. 1'959, 4une 9, 200'A#$ira vs. NLRC

(a$ts

-etitioner Radin C. A#$ira as ired b) res%ondent idd#e b) as engineering su%%ort servi$essu%ervisor on a %robationar) %eriod for siH /onts. Des%ite te indi$ation of %robationar) %eriod in te

a%%oint/ent %a%er, te dates indi$ated in te $o%ies in te %ossession of te %etitioner and te res%ondent,ere different, a) 20, 199& and a) 27, 199&, res%e$tive#). ;n Nove/ber 20, 199&, una%%) it%etitionerJs %erfor/an$e, res%ondent idde b) ter/inated te for/erJs servi$es. !ut a$$ording to te%etitioner e is a#read) a regu#ar e/%#o)ee effe$tive Nove/ber 1&,199&, using Arti$#e 1+ of te Civi# Code tatone /ont is $o/%osed of +0 da)s, siH /onts tota# 10 da)s. 6en$e, using a) 20, 199& as te referen$e%oint, it as a#read) $onsidered a dis/issa# sin$e it as /ade after te #a%se of is %robationar) e/%#o)/ent.

ssue;N -R;!A:;NAR> "-L;>"N: S "-L;>"N: (;R A D"(N:" -"R;D

6e#dSe$tion & dE of Ru#e 1 of te /%#e/enting Ru#es of !oo3 * of te Labor Code De%art/ent ;rder No. 10,

Series of 1997E %rovides tat n a## $ases of %robationar) e/%#o)/ent, te e/%#o)er sa## /a3e 3non to tee/%#o)ee te standards under i$ e i## ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of is engage/ent. ere nostandards are /ade 3non to te e/%#o)ee at tat ti/e, e sa## be dee/ed a regu#ar e/%#o)ee.

e o#d tat res%ondent idd#e b) substantia##) notified %etitioner of te standards to ua#if) as aregu#ar e/%#o)ee en it a%%rised i/, at te start of is e/%#o)/ent, tat it ou#d eva#uate issu%ervisor) s3i##s after five /onts. Converse#), an e/%#o)er is dee/ed to substantia##) $o/%#) it teru#e on notifi$ation of standards if e a%%rises te e/%#o)ee tat e i## be sube$ted to a %erfor/an$eeva#uation on a %arti$u#ar date after is iring. e agree it te #abor arbiter en e ru#ed tat

n te instant $ase, %etitioner $annot su$$essfu##) sa) tat e as never infor/ed b) %rivateres%ondent of te standards tat e /ust satisf) in order to be $onverted into regu#ar status. :isruns $ounter to te agree/ent beteen te %arties tat after five /onts of servi$e te %etitionerJs%erfor/an$e ou#d be eva#uated. t is on#) but natura# tat te eva#uation sou#d be /ade visvis

te %erfor/an$e standards for te ob. -rivate res%ondent :rifona a/arad#o s%ea3s of su$standard in er affidavit referring to te fa$t tat %etitioner did not %erfor/ e## in is assigned or3and is attitude as be#o %ar $o/%ared to te $o/%an)Js standard reuired of i/.

G.R. No. 11+1&&, (ebruar) 1, 199&Sa/son vs. NRLC,

(a$ts

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17/32

-etitioner ad been or3ing for res%ondent At#anti$ Gu#f and -a$ifi$ Co. ani#a fora%%roHi/ate#) 2 )ears and is %roe$tto%roe$t e/%#o)/ent as reneed severa# ti/es. 6issu$$essive $ontra$ts of e/%#o)/ent reuired i/ to %erfor/ virtua##) te sa/e 3ind of or3trougout is %eriod of e/%#o)/ent. -etitioner ou#d be reired i//ediate#), so/e for a ga% ofone da) to one ee3 fro/ te #ast %roe$t to te su$$eeding one.

ssue

eter or not %etitioner is a regu#ar e/%#o)ee

6e#d

Arti$#e 21 of te Labor Code %ertinent#) %res$ribes tat te %rovisions of ritten agree/entto te $ontrar) notitstanding and regard#ess of te ora# agree/ents of te %arties, an e/%#o)/entsa## be dee/ed to be regu#ar ere te e/%#o)ee as been engaged to %erfor/ a$tivities i$are usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business or trade of te e/%#o)er.

ere fro/ te $ir$u/stan$es it a%%eared tat %eriods ave been i/%osed to %re$#ude tea$uisition of tenuria# se$urit) b) te e/%#o)ee, te) sou#d be stru$3 don as $ontrar) to %ub#i$%o#i$), /ora#s, good $usto/s, or %ub#i$ order. :ere $an be no es$a%e fro/ te $on$#usion tat tee/%#o)ee is a regu#ar e/%#o)ee of te res%ondent.

"uroLinea -i#, n$. vs. NLRCG.R. No. 772De$e/ber 1 , 197

LaborerJs e#fare Libera# A%%roa$

(a$ts

-etitioner "uroLinea -i#, n$ ired %rivate res%ondent -astora# as si%%ing eH%editer on a%robationar) basis for a %eriod of siH /onts. -rior to iring b) %etitioner, -astora# ad been e/%#o)ed b)(its$er anufa$turing Cor%oration a#so as si%%ing eH%editer. ;n ' (ebruar) 19', -astora# re$eived a

/e/orandu/ ter/inating is %robationar) e/%#o)/ent in vie of is fai#ure Qto /eet te %erfor/an$estandards set b) te $o/%an). -astora# fi#ed a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# against %etitioner. ;n 19 4u#)195, te Labor Arbiter found %etitioner gui#t) of i##ega# dis/issa#. -etitioner a%%ea#ed te de$ision to te NLRCon 5 August 195 but te a%%ea# as dis/issed. 6en$e te %etition for revie see3ing to reverse and setaside te reso#ution of %ub#i$ res%ondent NLRC, affir/ing te de$ision of te Labor Arbiter, i$ ordered tereinstate/ent of $o/%#ainant it siH /onts ba$3ages.

ssue

eter or not te Nationa# Labor Re#ations Co//ission a$ted it grave abuse ofdis$retion a/ounting to eH$ess of urisdi$tion in ru#ing against te dis/issa# of te res%ondent, ate/%orar) or %robationar) e/%#o)ee, b) is e/%#o)er

6e#d

:ere is no dis%ute tat fai#ure to ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee in a$$ordan$e itreasonab#e standards %res$ribed b) te e/%#o)er is a ground to ter/inate an e/%#o)ee engagedon a %robationar) basis Art. 22, Labor Code !3. *, Ru#e 1, Se$tion &$E, /%#e/enting Ru#es,Labor CodeE. n tis $ase, %etitioner a##eged tat -astora# as dis/issed be$ause e fai#ed to /eetits %erfor/an$e standard. 6oever, %etitioner did not boter to $ite %arti$u#ar a$ts or instan$es in its%osition %a%er i$ so tat -astora# as %erfor/ing be#o %ar.

-etitionerFs %erfor/an$e as si%%ing eH%editer $an readi#) be gauged fro/ s%e$ifi$ a$ts as/a) be g#eaned fro/ is duties enu/erated b) %etitioner to in$#ude %ro$essing of eH%ort and i/%ortdo$u/ents for dis%at$ or re#ease and ta#3ing to $usto/s %ersonne# regarding said do$u/ents.

1&


18/32

(urter/ore, at /a3es te dis/issa# ig#) sus%i$ious is te fa$t tat i#e %etitioner$#ai/s tat res%ondent as ineffi$ient, it retained is servi$es unti# te #ast re/aining to ee3s ofte siH /onts %robationar) e/%#o)/ent.

No #ess i/%ortant is te fa$t tat %rivate res%ondent ad been a si%%ing eH%editer for /oretan one and a a#f )ears before e as absorbed b) %etitioner. t terefore a%%ears tat tedis/issa# in uestion is itout suffi$ient ustifi$ation.

G.R. No. 7&9+ 4anuar) 2, 1991Cie#o vs. NLRC

(a$ts

:e %etitioner is a tru$3 driver o $#ai/s e as i##ega##) dis/issed b) te %rivate res%ondent,te 6enr) Lei :ru$3ing Co/%an). -etitioner ere /ade to sign an agree/ent it te %rivate res%ondenttat te) donJt ave an e/%#o)ere/%#o)ee re#ationsi% but in an affidavit tat %etitioner is being for$edto sign states tat e re$eived is sa#ar) and a##oan$ed fro/ te %rivate res%ondent. =%on refusa# tosign, %rivate res%ondent dis/issed %etitioner on te basis of disres%e$t and insubordination.

ssueeter or not %etitioner as #ega##) dis/issed

6e#d

:e %rivate res%ondentFs argu/ent tat te %etitioner $ou#d at #east be $onsidered on %robationbasis on#) and terefore se%arab#e at i## is se#fdefeating. :e Labor Code $#ear#) %rovides as fo##os

Art. 21. -robationar) e/%#o)/ent. O -robationar) e/%#o)/ent sa## not eH$eed siH &E/onts fro/ te date te e/%#o)ee started or3ing, un#ess it is $overed b) ana%%renti$esi% agree/ent sti%u#ating a #onger %eriod. :e servi$es of an e/%#o)ee o asbeen engaged on a %robationar) basis /a) be ter/inated for a ust $ause or en e fai#sto ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee in a$$ordan$e it reasonab#e standards /ade 3non b)te e/%#o)er to te e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of is engage/ent. An e/%#o)ee o is a##oed toor3 after a %robationar) %eriod sa## be $onsidered a regu#ar e/%#o)ee.

:ere is no uestion tat te %etitioner as not engaged as an a%%renti$e, being a#read) an

eH%erien$ed tru$3 driver en e began or3ing for te %rivate res%ondent. Neiter as it beenson tat e as infor/ed at te ti/e of is e/%#o)/ent of te reasonab#e standards under i$e $ou#d ua#if) as a regu#ar e/%#o)ee. t is %#ain tat te %etitioner as ired at te outset as aregu#ar e/%#o)ee. At an) rate, even assu/ing tat te origina# e/%#o)/ent as %robationar), teLabor Arbiter found tat te %etitioner ad $o/%#eted /ore tan siH /ontFs servi$e it tetru$3ing $o/%an) and so ad a$uired te status of a regu#ar e/%#o)ee at te ti/e of is dis/issa#.

G.R. No. 7+0& ar$ 21, 1990:ACL;!AN SAG


19/32

6e#d

:e eviden$e on re$ord as estab#ised tat %rivate res%ondents Car#ito Codi#an and aHi/oDo$ena ad been or3ing for %etitioners for 25 )ears, res%ondent "ugenio Go for 22 )ears, res%ondent:eofi#o :rangria for 15 )ears and res%ondent Re)na#do :u#in for & )ears. Aside fro/ teir #engt) servi$e,it sou#d be noted tat %rivate res%ondentsF e/%#o)/ent as not fiHed for a s%e$ifi$ %roe$t orunderta3ing te $o/%#etion or ter/ination of i$ as been deter/ined at te ti/e of teir a%%oint/entor iring. Li3eise, it /ust be borne in /ind tat %etitioners never rebutted %rivate res%ondentsF $#ai/tat te) %erfor/ed a$tivities usua##) ne$essar) or desirab#e in te usua# business of te for/er.

(urter/ore, te servi$es %erfor/ed or to be %erfor/ed b) %rivate res%ondents are not seasona# innature. i#e it /a) be true tat te arvest of %a#a) is seasona#, te /i##ing o%erations i$ is te /ainbusiness of %etitioners are not seasona#. :e fa$t is tat big ri$e /i##s su$ as te one oned b)%etitioners $ontinue to o%erate and do business trougout te )ear even if tere are on#) to or treearvest seasons itin te )ear. t is a $o//on %ra$ti$e a/ong far/ers and ri$e dea#ers to store teir%a#a) and to ave te sa/e /i##ed as te need arises. :us, te /i##ing o%erations ave no #etu%.

G.R. No. &7&&' a) 20, 1992ANANAS -ANDA> vs. NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N

(a$ts

So/eti/e in De$e/ber, 1977 $o/%#ainant as $a##ed b) artin Ga, te oner/anager ofres%ondent o instru$ted i/ to $ut off te #iving a##oan$e of te e/%#o)ees starting 4anuar) 1,197. Co/%#ainant reuested tat a /e/orandu/ to tis effe$t be /ade so tat e ou#d not beb#a/ed b) te or3ers. Res%ondentFs /anager got angr) and souted Iat for is te/e/orandu/ a/ te##ing )ou to do so.I At tis %oint te Genera# anager sudden#) butted insa)ing in a raised voi$e, IAno ba ta#aga Naning $o/%#ainantE ang ibig /ong sabiin Sa tuing/agsasa#ita 3a, %ana) 3a I%o#i$)I ng $o/%an)a at %ana) 3a re$ordsI.

(ro/ te ti/e of tat in$ident $o/%#ainant as de%rived of free #igt. 6e as no #onger givenan) a$$ounting or3. 6is %er die/ as abru%t#) $ut off. A## tat as #eft for i/ to do as te si/%#e$#eri$a# ob of registering or %a)ing SSS %re/iu/s. Sti## $o/%#ainant $ontinued to bear it out. n1979, oever e as tota##) divested of a## is duties and e as $o/%e##ed to a%%roa$ anagerartin Ga to $#ear u% /atters. :e #atter referred i/ to r. Gerr) Lu/ban o as su%%osed to

give i/ so/e or3 to do. t turned out, oever, tat no su$ instru$tions ere given to said r.Lu/ban. :ere as a ti/e en res%ondent undu#) de#a)ed $o/%#ainantFs sa#ar) and e sougtte e#% of te -ub#i$ Assistan$e ;ffi$e of #agan, sabe#a, i$ resu#ted to an agree/ent ereinres%ondent %ro/ised to $ontinue giving $o/%#ainant is ages AnneH IAIE.

;n A%ri# 12, 1979 $o/%#ainant fi#ed a reuest f or va$ation #eave it %a) for 15 da)s fro/A%ri# 1'+0, 1979. ;n tat sa/e da) e brougt is son to ani#a for /edi$a# treat/ent and sta)edtere u% to te end of te /ont. =%on is return to sabe#a, e as3ed for is sa#aries on#) to #earntat is a%%#i$ation for #eave as disa%%roved. AnneH I!IE. 6en$e, e fi#ed tis $ase for i##ega#dis/issa#, non%a)/ent of 1+t /ont %a) for 1977, e/ergen$) a##oan$e under -.D. 525 sin$e1975 u% to 1977 and un%aid ages for A%ri# 1&+0, 1979.

ssue

eter or not brea$ of trust of te res%ondent of te %etitioner is ustifiab#e #ega#ter/ination of te %etitioner

6e#d

:e Court e#d, it as a#read) been sett#ed tat tere as indeed an i##ega# dis/issa#. 6oever, fro/te fa$ts of te $ase, e regret tat e $annot order reinstate/ent. e agree it te De%ut) inister tatI$o/%#ainant as bran$ a$$ountant o$$u%ied a %osition invo#ving trust and $onfiden$e and in te #igt of teestranged re#ation beteen te $o/%#ainant and te res%ondent tat /a) not %er/it te fu## restoration of ane/%#o)/ent re#ationsi% based on trust and $onfiden$e, e ave to a##o ter/ination of te e/%#o)er

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e/%#o)ee re#ationsi% but u%on te %a)/ent of se%aration %a) euiva#ent to onea#f 12E /ontfor ever) )ear of servi$e rendered.I

+>ear Ru#e and "H$e%tions Aarding of !a$3agesE

;bvious#), te e/%#o)er in tis $ase as in bad fait en it ordered te %etitioner to $ut te otere/%#o)eesF #iving a##oan$es. ore so, en te %etitioner reuested for ritten autorit) to effe$t te said/anage/ent order i$ /anage/ent refused so tat b#a/e ou#d be #aid on te %etitioner. :is started

arass/ent a$tivities and te itdraa# of te %etitionerFs benefits, usua# or3#oad, and res%onsibi#ities.oreover, te $ase as a#read) dragged on for severa# )ears to te %reudi$e of te %etitioner.

n our %revious de$ided $ase e ado%ted te %o#i$) of fiHing te a/ount of ba$3ages to a ustand reasonab#e #eve# itout ua#ifi$ation and dedu$tion to do aa) it te attendant de#a) in aardingba$3ages be$ause of te eHtended earing to %rove te earnings e#seere of ea$ and ever)e/%#o)ee. =nder tis %o#i$) e ave $onsistent#) aarded ba$3ages to te /aHi/u/ of on#) tree +E)ears. 6oever, $onsidering te %e$u#iar $ir$u/stan$es of te %resent $ase, e $annot a%%#) te tree)ear ba$3ages ru#e. Neiter sa## e a%%#) Re%ub#i$ A$t &715 i$ %rovides tat ba$3ages sa## beaarded to $over te %eriod fro/ dis/issa# to te e/%#o)erFs date of a$tua# reinstate/ent be$ause said#a as no retroa$tive effe$t. nstead, e ado%t te %rin$i%#e in te $ase of Ne ani#a Cand) or3ers=nion Na$ona-af#uE v. Court of ndustria# Re#ations, & SCRA +7 T197U, ere five )ears ba$3ages

ere aarded Ion a$$ount of te e/%#o)erFs unfair #abor %ra$ti$es and te #ong nu/ber of )ears duringi$ te or3ers ave been de%rived of teir or3 and teir ages.I

G.R. No. L101'+ ;$tober 1+, 1992Catedra# S$oo# of :e$no#og) vs. NLRC

(a$ts

nitia##), %rivate res%ondent oined te Congregation of te Re#igious of *irgin ar) R*E, i$/anage te Catedra# S$oo# of :e$no#og), to be a nun. After so/eti/e se de$ided not be a nun insteadse or3ed as #ibrar) aide for te said s$oo#. !ut due to unfavorab#e beavior and attitude of te %rivateres%ondent, as a$$ording to $o/%#aints re$eived against er, er attention as $a##ed but instead of eeding

te advi$e of er su%erior se as arrogant to a$$e%t er fau#t. !e$ause of er un#i3e#) beavior se asgiven a +0da) noti$e of ter/ination unti# su$ ti/e se as not a##oed to enter te s$oo# %re/ises.Aggrieved, se fi#ed for i##ega# dis/issa# against %etitioner before te NLRC. :e Labor Arbiter as affir/ed b)te NLRC ru#ed in er favor assai#ing tat te dis/issa# as i##ega# due to #a$3 of due %ro$ess.

ssueeter or not #a$3 of due %ro$ess is a va#id ground for i##ega# dis/issa#

6e#d

:e Court e#d, te eHisten$e of an e/%#o)ere/%#o)ee re#ationsi% is essentia##) a fa$tua# uestionand te res%ondent $o//issionFs findings tereon are a$$orded great eigt and res%e$t and even fina#it)en te sa/e are su%%orted b) substantia# eviden$e. e find no reason to overru#e te sa/e.

An eva#uative revie of te re$ords of tis $ase nonete#ess su%%orts a finding of a ust $ause forter/ination. :e reason for i$ %rivate res%ondentFs servi$es ere ter/inated, na/e#), er unreasonab#ebeavior and un%#easant de%ort/ent in dea#ing it te %eo%#e se $#ose#) or3s it in te $ourse of ere/%#o)/ent, is ana#ogous to te oter Iust $ausesI enu/erated under te Labor Code, as a/ended

Art. 22. :er/ination b) e/%#o)er. O An e/%#o)er /a) ter/inate an e/%#o)/ent for an) ofte fo##oing ust $auses

(1)Serious /is$ondu$t or i##fu# disobedien$e b) te e/%#o)ee of te #afu# orders of ise/%#o)er or re%resentative in $onne$tion it is or3(2) Gross and abitua# brea$ b) te e/%#o)ee of is duties

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(3)(raud or i##fu# brea$ b) te e/%#o)ee of te trust re%osed in i/ b) is e/%#o)er ordu#) autori8ed re%resentative

(4)Co//ission of a $ri/e or offense b) te e/%#o)ee against te %erson of is e/%#o)er oran) i//ediate /e/ber of is fa/i#) or is du#) autori8ed re%resentative and(5) ;ter $auses ana#ogous to te foregoing.

;n te /atter of i##ega# dis/issa#, %etitioners do not dis%ute te findings, and in effe$t ad/it,tat %rivate res%ondent as denied er rigt to due %ro$ess. As found b) te #abor arbiter, noearing on te i/%ending dis/issa# as $ondu$ted as ou#d ave afforded %rivate res%ondent ano%%ortunit) to eH%#ain er side and, if need be, to defend erse#f. :rue, %etitioners notified er of tes$oo#Fs de$ision to ter/inate er servi$es. !ut noti$e a#one, itout te reuisite earing does notsuffi$e. A#beit it so/e a/biguit) i$ i## ereafter be $#arified, tis Court as e#d tat

=nder te Labor Code, as a/ended, te reuire/ents of #afu# dis/issa# of an e/%#o)ee b)is e/%#o)er are tofo#d te substantive and te %ro$edura#. Not on#) /ust te dis/issa#be for a va#id or autori8ed $ause as %rovided b) #a Arts. 279, 21, 222'E, but terudi/entar) reuire/ents of due %ro$ess O noti$e and earingO /ust a#so be observedbefore an e/%#o)ee /a) be dis/issed Art. 277 TbUE. ;ne $annot go itout te oter, foroterise te ter/ination ou#d, in te e)es of te #a, be i##ega#.

Neverte#ess, e find no /erit in %ub#i$ res%ondentFs ratio$ination, uoting te #abor arbiter, tat

t is #i3eise te finding ofE and tis !ran$ so o#ds tat $o/%#ainant as i##ega##) dis/issed. :isfinding is an$ored on te #a$3 of due %ro$ess. n tis $ase $o/%#ainant as not afforded te

o%%ortunit) to defend erse#f in a earing $a##ed for te %ur%ose. Se as ust su//ari#) dis/issed$ontrar) to te %rovisionsE of !atas -a/bansa !i#ang 1+0 and its /%#e/enting Ru#es.

C#ear#), terefore, its ru#ing tat %rivate res%ondent as i##ega##) dis/issed as %re/isedso#e#) on te fa$t of a##eged #a$3 of %ro$edura# due %ro$ess, itout regard to eter or not tereas #afu# $ause for su$ dis/issa#, i$ #atter as%e$t $onstitutes te e#e/ent of substantive due%ro$ess. e a$$ording#) %ro$eed to reso#ve te issue tat is tereb) %resented.

t is te $ontention of %etitioners tat dis/issa# for $ause but itout due %ro$ess does notarrant an order for reinstate/ent or se%aration %a), as te $ase /a) be nor of ba$3ages, fortese are san$tions tat %ertain to dis/issa#s itout ust $ause. ;n te oter and arbitrar)dis/issa# for ust $ause on#) arrants an aard of inde/nit) for te dis/issed e/%#o)ee.

e grant our i/%ri/atur to tis sub/ission of %etitioners, ust as e vie it disfavor %ub#i$

res%ondentFs intransigen$e on te /atter in tis and oter $ases des%ite our %ronoun$e/ents tereon.t is true tat, eH$e%tiona##) and as an euitab#e $on$ession, se%aration %a) /a) be a##oed

as a /easure of so$ia# usti$e but on#) in tose instan$es ere te e/%#o)ee is va#id#) dis/issedfor $auses oter tan serious /is$ondu$t or tose ref#e$ting on is /ora# $ara$ter. 6oever, su$eH$e%tiona# $ir$u/stan$e does not obtain in te %resent $ase.n Se$tion 7, !oo3 * of te /%#e/enting Ru#es of te Labor Code i$ eH%ress#) states tat

Se$. 7. :at ust $auses for ter/inating te servi$es of an e/%#o)ee sa## be tose %rovided inArti$#e 22 of te Code. :e se%aration fro/ or3 of an e/%#o)ee for a ust $ause does notentit#e i/ to te ter/ination %a) %rovided in te Code, itout %reudi$e, oever, to ateverrigts, benefits and %rivi#eges e /a) ave under te a%%#i$ab#e individua# or $o##e$tivebargaining agree/ent it te e/%#o)er or vo#untar) e/%#o)er %o#i$) or %ra$ti$e.

G.R. No. +2+9 ar$ , 199-6L--N" 4A-AN AC:*" CAR!;N C;R-;RA:;N vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N

(a$ts

:e %rivate res%ondent, o ad been e/%#o)ed in %etitioner $or%oration sin$e 4anuar) 19, 192, asAssistant Se$retar)"H%ort Coordinator, as %ro/oted on a) 20, 19+ to te %osition of "He$utive Se$retar)to te "He$utive *i$e -resident and Genera# anager. ;n a) +1, 19&, for no a%%arent reason at a## anditout %rior noti$e to er, se as transferred to te -rodu$tion De%art/ent as -rodu$tion Se$retar),

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sa%%ing %ositions it "ster :a/a)o. A#toug te transfer did not a/ount to a de/otion be$ause er sa#ar)and or3#oad re/ained te sa/e, se be#ieved oterise so se ree$ted te assign/ent and fi#ed a$o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa#. :e Labor Arbiter found, on te basis of te eviden$e of bot %arties, tat tetransfer ou#d a/ount to $onstru$tive dis/iss en$e, er refusa# to obe) te transfer order as ustified.

n er $o//ent to te %etition, te %rivate res%ondent argued tat se as dis/issed itout due%ro$ess be$ause se as not given te o%%ortunit) to be eard $on$erning te $auses of er transfer.

ssue

eter or not %rivate res%ondent as been $onstru$tive#) dis$argeddis/issed

6e#d

:e Court e#d, a $onstru$tive dis$arge is defined as IA uitting be$ause $ontinuede/%#o)/ent is rendered i/%ossib#e, unreasonab#e or un#i3e#) as, an offer invo#ving a de/otion inran3 and a di/inution in %a).I

n tis $ase, te %rivate res%ondentFs assign/ent as -rodu$tion Se$retar) of te -rodu$tionDe%art/ent as not unreasonab#e as it did not invo#ve a de/otion in ran3 er ran3 as sti## tat ofa de%art/ent se$retar)E nor a $ange in er %#a$e of or3 te offi$e is in te sa/e bui#dingE, nor adi/inution in %a), benefits, and %rivi#eges. t did not $onstitute a $onstru$tive dis/issa#.

t is te e/%#o)erFs %rerogative, based on its assess/ent and %er$e%tion of its e/%#o)eesFua#ifi$ations, a%titudes, and $o/%eten$e, to /ove te/ around in te various areas of its business

o%erations in order to Ias$ertain ere te) i## fun$tion it /aHi/u/ benefit to te $o/%an). Ane/%#o)eeFs rigt to se$urit) of tenure does not give i/ su$ a vested rigt in is %osition as ou#dde%rive te $o/%an) of its %rerogative to $ange is assign/ent or transfer i/ ere e i## be/ost usefu#. en is transfer is not unreasonab#e, nor in$onvenient, nor %reudi$ia# to i/, and itdoes not invo#ve a de/otion in ran3 or a di/inution of is sa#aries, benefits, and oter %rivi#eges, tee/%#o)ee /a) not $o/%#ain tat it a/ounts to a $onstru$tive dis/issa#.

G.R. No. L51&+2 Se%te/ber 7, 199-"-SC;, NC. vs. NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N

(a$ts

4ose S. La%id o$$u%ied te %osition of IDire$tor of LeasingI in %etitioner fir/, -"-SC;, n$.6aving been dis$overed tat e ad %ur$ased for -"-SC; various t)%es of /a$iner) andeui%/ent i$ e re%resented to be brand ne but i$, on subseuent ins%e$tion eredis$overed to be if not se$ondand, overva#ued, and tat of tent)four 2'E #ease agree/ents ead eHe$uted as -"-SC;Fs Dire$tor of Leasing, fourteen 1'E ad turned out to be Ibad a$$ounts,Ia## said transa$tions invo#ving an a/ount of /ore tan -7 /i##ion, is e/%#o)er ter/inated isservi$es on a$$ount of #oss of $onfiden$e in is $o/%eten$e and re#iabi#it).

:ereafter, La%id, troug an attorne), rote to -"-SC; reuesting tat e be reinstated or,a#ternative#), tat e be a##oed to retire under te $o/%an)Fs retire/ent %#an. 6is reuest as turneddon, -"-SC; asserting tat as son b) indubitab#e do$u/entar) eviden$e, e ad Ibeen gross#)and abitua##) neg#igent in %ro$essing a nu/ber of #easing agree/ents it $o/%an) $usto/ers ... andsu$ gross and abitua# neg#e$t on ... is %art in teE %erfor/an$e of is duties adE resu#ted inenor/ous #osses to te $o/%an) for i$ reason te #atter $ou#d no #onger retain i/ in its e/%#o).I

ssue

eter or not %rivate res%ondentJs dis/issa# is va#id on te basis of in$o/%eten$e andneg#igen$e on is %art

6e#d

:e Court e#d, te %rivate res%ondent being /anageria# e/%#o)ee atta$es it i/ tetrust and $onfiden$e of te e/%#o)er and te #ost of it $ou#d be a va#id ground for is dis/issa#.

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:e eviden$e of is in$o/%eten$e and neg#igen$e, is eua##) $onvin$ing e ad bougt /a$iner)i$ e re%resented to is e/%#o)er as brand ne but i$ as #ater dis$overed to be se$ondand ead foisted a fi$titious su%%#ier u%on te $o/%an) e ad %ur$ased eui%/ent at %ri$es iger tan tose ofte sa/e t)%e uoted to i/ b) oter se##ers e ad $aused enor/ous #osses to is e/%#o)er. :ese fa$tssuffi$e b) an) standards to $ause is e/%#o)er to #ose trust and $onfiden$e in i/, in is abi#it) and istrustortiness, ustif)ing is dis/issa# fro/ e/%#o)/ent, a dis/issa# i$, it /ust be added, $on$erning asit did a /anageria# e/%#o)ee, reuired no %rior $#earan$e fro/ te De%art/ent of Labor.

G.R. No. 72977 De$e/ber 21, 19!"N*"ND; R. !A:;NG!ACAL,%etitioner, vs.ASS;CA:"D !AN, NC. vs.

NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N

(a$ts

;n 4une 2', 191, (i#o/ena 6er/osa 6er/osa, for sortE as ired b) %etitionerSu%erstar Se$urit) Agen$) Agen$), for sortE as a Se$urit) Guard. Se as assigned to differentdeta$/ents in %re/ises oned b) te Agen$)Fs $#ients. ;n (ebruar) 1, 195, te Agen$) %#a$ed6er/osa on a te/%orar) Ioffdetai#.I ;n ar$ 5, 195, 6er/osa fi#ed a $o/%#aint for i##ega#dis/issa#. Se $#ai/ed tat se as un$ere/onious#) dis/issed on sus%i$ion tat se as teautor of an anon)/ous re%ort about te irregu#arities $o//itted b) er fe##o #ad) se$urit) guards.

ssueeter or not te %etitioners are gui#t) of i##ega# dis/issa#

6e#d

:e Court e#d, e reso#ve te issue in te negative. :e $arge of i##ega# dis/issa# as %re/ature#)fi#ed. :e re$ords so tat a /ont after 6er/osa as %#a$ed on a te/%orar) Ioffdetai#,I se readi#) fi#ed a$o/%#aint against te %etitioners on te %resu/%tion tat er servi$es ere a#read) ter/inated. :e/%orar)Ioffdetai#I is not euiva#ent to dis/issa#. n se$urit) %ar#an$e, it /eans aiting to be %osted. 6oever, it /ustbe e/%asi8ed tat su$ te/%orar) ina$tivit) sou#d $ontinue on#) for siH /onts. ;terise te se$urit)agen$) $on$erned $ou#d be #iab#e for $onstru$tive dis/issa# under Arti$#e 27.

G.R. No. L75&5& a) 2, 1990

>=C; C6"CAL ND=S:R"S, NC.,

%etitioner, vs.NS:R> ;( LA!;R AND "-L;>"N:

(a$ts

n 197, %rivate res%ondents $o/%#ainantsE George 6a#i#i and A/ado agno ere e/%#o)ed b)%etitioner $o/%an) i$ is engaged in te /anufa$tureasse/b#) of i$e boHes in !aranga) atata#aib,:ar#a$, :ar#a$. :e) ere assigned to /a3e a#u/inu/ and#es for te i$e boHes.

;n August 12,191, after obtaining a favorab#e #ega# o%inion fro/ te :ar#a$ %rovin$ia# offi$eof ;L" $on$erning te #ega#it) of /oving te %rodu$tion of a#u/inu/ and#es fro/ :ar#a$ toani#a, %etitioner addressed a /e/orandu/ to %rivate res%ondents dire$ting te/ to re%ort foror3 itin one ee3 fro/ noti$e at teir ne %#a$e of or3 at (e#iH 6uertas Street, Sta. Cru8,ani#a. :e /e/orandu/ furter stated tat %rivate res%ondents ou#d be %aid it a sa#ar) of-27.00 and an additiona# a##oan$e of -2.00 Ito /eet te iger $ost of #iving in ani#a.

A da) after or on August 1+, 191, instead of $o/%#)ing it te /e/orandu/, %rivate res%ondents fi#ed a$o/%#aint it te %rovin$ia# #abor offi$e for i##ega# dis/issa#, 1+t /ont %a) and servi$e in$entive #eave %a).

ssueeter or not te transfer of e/%#o)ee is a va#id transfer

6e#d

(irst, so/e genera# %rin$i%#es on transfer. n a nu/ber of $ases, te Court as re$ogni8ed and u%e#dte %rerogative of /anage/ent to transfer an e/%#o)ee fro/ one offi$e to anoter itin te business

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estab#is/ent %rovided tat tere is no de/otion in ran3 or a di/inution of is sa#ar), benefits and oter%rivi#eges. :is is a %rivi#ege inerent in te e/%#o)erFs rigt to $ontro# and /anage its enter%riseeffe$tive#). "ven as te #a is so#i$itous of te e/%#o)eesF e#fare, it $annot ignore te rigt of tee/%#o)er to eHer$ise at are $#ear#) and obvious#) /anage/ent %rerogatives. :e freedo/ of/anage/ent to $ondu$t its business o%erations to a$ieve its %ur%ose $annot be denied .

!ut #i3e a## oter rigts, tere are #i/its. :e /anageria# %rerogative to transfer %ersonne#/ust be eHer$ised itout grave abuse of dis$retion and %utting to /ind te basi$ e#e/ents ofusti$e and fair %#a). 6aving te rigt sou#d not be $onfused it te /anner in i$ tat rigt

/ust be eHer$ised. :us it $annot be used as a subterfuge b) te e/%#o)er to rid i/se#f of anundesirab#e or3er. Nor en te rea# reason is to %ena#i8e an e/%#o)ee for is union a$tivities andtereb) defeat is rigt to se#forgani8ation. !ut te transfer $an be u%e#d en tere is nosoing tat it is unne$essar), in$onvenient and %reudi$ia# to te dis%#a$ed e/%#o)ee.

G.R. No. 7'91 ar$ 1&, 199

S:ARL:" -LAS:C ND=S:RAL C;R-;RA:;N,%etitioner, vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N and "DGAR G;"K, res%ondents.

(a$ts

-rivate res%ondent G;"K as e/%#o)ed as a fa$tor) or3er b) S:ARL:" so/eti/e in ar$191. ;n 22 4une 19', S:ARL:" dis/issed i/ on te ground tat e as $augt atte/%ting to stea# oneba##ast $osting -0.00. S:ARL:" re%orted te /atter to te %o#i$e on 19 4u#) 19', after grievan$e /eetingsfai#ed to reso#ve te $ontrovers). A $ri/ina# $o/%#aint as fi#ed against G;"K, but te investigating fis$a#dis/issed te sa/e sa)ing tat S:ARL:" fai#ed to estab#is a %ri/a fa$ie $ase against G;"K. ;n 1+August 19+, %rivate res%ondent G;"K fi#ed a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# against S:ARL:". After te%arties sub/itted teir res%e$tive %osition %a%ers, te Labor Arbiter rendered is de$ision on 15 4anuar) 195dis/issing te $o/%#aint for #a$3 of /erit. G;"K a%%ea#ed te de$ision to te %ub#i$ res%ondent NLRCi$ in a de$ision dated 1 (ebruar) 197 reversed te ru#ing of te Labor Arbiter.

n $ontending tat te de$ision of te %ub#i$ res%ondent NLRC as rendered in grave abuseof dis$retion %etitioner argues tat te a$t of disonest) of G;"K #ed %etitioner to #ose its trustand $onfiden$e in i/ and is /ore tan suffi$ient to ustif) is dis/issa#.

ssueeter or not %rivate res%ondent as i##ega# dis/issed on te basis of dro% $o/%#aint

6e#d

:e Court e#d, at te outset, te Court finds it ne$essar) to e/%asi8e tat $ontrar) to tetenor of te Labor ArbiterFs de$ision, a dis/issed e/%#o)ee is not reuired to %rove is inno$en$e ofte $arges #eve##ed against i/ b) is e/%#o)er. :e Court as #aid don te ru#e tat inter/ination $ases, te burden of %roving te ust $ause of dis/issing an e/%#o)ee rests on tee/%#o)er and is fai#ure to do so ou#d resu#t in a finding tat te dis/issa# is unustified.

:e Court, oever, as ti/e and again stressed tat te rigt of an e/%#o)er to dis/isse/%#o)ees on te ground tat it as #ost its trust and $onfiden$e in i/ /ust not be eHer$ised arbitrari#)and itout ust $ause tat a#toug te dro%%ing of a $ri/ina# %rose$ution for an e/%#o)eeFs a##eged/is$ondu$t does not bar is dis/issa# and %roof be)ond reasonab#e doubt is not ne$essar) to ustif) tesa/e, sti## te basis tereof /ust be $#ear#) and $onvin$ing#) estab#ised. (urter, #oss of $onfiden$esou#d not be si/u#ated. t sou#d not be used as a subterfuge for $auses i$ are i/%ro%er, i##ega# orunustified. Loss of $onfiden$e /a) not be arbitrari#) asserted in te fa$e of overe#/ing eviden$e tote $ontrar). t /ust be genuine, not a /ere aftertougt to ustif) ear#ier a$tion ta3en in bad fait.

A%%#)ing te foregoing #ega# %re$e%ts to te %ertinent fa$ts, te Court finds tat tere as utter fai#ureere to estab#is or substantiate te teft $arge against G;"K. :e %ub#i$ res%ondent NLRC found, a/%#)su%%orted b) te re$ord, tat $ontrar) to te Labor ArbiterFs findings tat G;"K Ifai#ed to %resent an

2'


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Gregorio Ga#e subseuent#) instituted a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# i$, $onfor/ab#)it teir $o##e$tive bargaining agree/ent, as ten sub/itted to retired 4udge Santiago ;. :aBadafor vo#untar) arbitration. :e vo#untar) arbiter ru#ed tat te %rivate res%ondent be reinstated.6oever, %etitioner $ontends tat te) $an no #onger reinstate %rivate res%ondent due to strainedre#ation it te %rivate res%ondent.

ssueeter or not %etitioner $an no #onger be reinstated due to strained re#ation

6e#d

:e Court e#d, e do not agree it %etitionerFs sub/ission tat %rivate res%ondentFs reinstate/enti## not $ondu$e to industria# %ea$e and ar/on) in te ote# due to strained re#ations. Si/%#), te $ases $itedb) %etitioner are /is%#a$ed. e are not un/indfu# of te Istrained re#ationsI brougt about b) te fi#ing of te$ase and te under#)ing $auses. ndeed, re#ations /a) ave be$o/e a$ri/onious and osti#e. 6oever, tedo$trine of strained re#ations $annot be a%%#ied it i/%unit) #est e trif#e it te rigts of age earners b)autori8ing /anage/ent to indis$ri/inate#) dis/iss te/ and tereafter %rovide te e/%#o)er it te$onvenient and read) eH$use not to reinstate te/. ;n te $ontrar), e ave to eHer$ise eHtre/e $aution intis regard. As te Court reasoned in G#obea$3a) Cab#e and Radio Cor%oration v. NLRCO

;bvious#), te %rin$i%#e of strained re#ationsF $annot be a%%#ied indis$ri/inate#). ;terise,reinstate/ent $an never be %ossib#e si/%#) be$ause so/e osti#it) is invariab#) engendered

beteen te %arties as a resu#t of #itigation. :at is u/an nature.ndeed, Istrained re#ationsI /a) be invo3ed on#) against e/%#o)ees ose %ositions de/and

trust and $onfiden$e, or ose differen$es it teir e/%#o)er are of su$ nature or degree as to%re$#ude reinstate/ent. n te instant $ase, oever, te re#ationsi% beteen %rivate res%ondent, aroo/bo), and /anage/ent as $#ear#) on an i/%ersona# #eve#. Ga#e did not o$$u%) su$ a sensitive%osition as ou#d reuire $o/%#ete trust and $onfiden$e, ere %ersona# i## i## ou#d %re$#ude is

reinstate/ent. 6en$e, in -anda) v. NLRC 1'e ru#ed tat ITiUf te res%ondent ad been a #aborer, $#er3or oter ran3andfi#e e/%#o)ee, tere ou#d be no %rob#e/ in ordering er reinstate/ent it fa$i#it).INeiter is te en/it) of su$ degree as to %revent %rivate res%ondentFs reinstate/ent.

+>ear Ru#e and "H$e%tions Aarding of !a$3agesE

n te $ase at bar, sin$e te i##ega# dis/issa# of %rivate res%ondent o$$urred on ' De$e/ber197, or before R.A. &715 too3 effe$t on 21 ar$ 199, e is entit#ed on#) to tree +E )earsFba$3ages, in$#usive of a## a##oan$es and oter benefits, itout dedu$ting an) re/unerations e /a)ave re$eived as /e/ber of te Ar/ed (or$es of te -i#i%%ines, or fro/ an) oter e/%#o)/ent, and notto is fu## ages fro/ te ti/e e as dis/issed u% to te %resent. Certain#), %rivate res%ondent $annotbe a##oed to re$eive sa#ar) fro/ %etitioner for te o#e duration tat e as not or3ing as roo/bo)b) reason of is unust dis/issa#, i#e at te sa/e ti/e, dra $o/%ensation as /e/ber of te Ar/ed(or$es of te -i#i%%ines i$ ou#d not ave been %ossib#e ad e $ontinued to or3 for %etitioner fortat ou#d be unust enri$/ent. Conseuent#), if %rivate res%ondent a#read) re$eived /ore tan at eis entit#ed to in a$$ordan$e ereit, e sou#d rei/burse %etitioner su$ a/ount in eH$ess of at isdue i/ oterise, %etitioner sou#d /a3e good te $orres%onding defi$ien$).

G.R. No. 11&51 ;$tober 1&, 1997-;N""R :"V:=RKNG C;R-. andor 4=LAN; L,%etitioner, vs.NA:;NAL LA!;R R"LA:;NS C;SS;N, -;N""R :"V:=RKNG ;R


28/32

$orres%onding %ri$e for te or3 to be a$$o/%#ised b) a or3er is identified b) its -.;. Nu/ber. ;nAugust 15, 1992, de 4esus or3ed on -.;. No. +5+ b) tri//ing te $#otsF ribs. Se tereaftersub/itted ti$3ets $orres%onding to te or3 done to er su%ervisor. :ree da)s #ater, de 4esus re$eivedfro/ %etitionersF %ersonne# /anager a /e/orandu/ reuiring er to eH%#ain ) no dis$i%#inar) a$tionsou#d be ta3en against er for disonest) and ta/%ering of offi$ia# re$ords and do$u/ents it teintention of $eating as -.;. No. +5+ a##eged#) reuired no tri//ing. :e /e/orandu/ a#so %#a$ed erunder %reventive sus%ension for tirt) da)s starting fro/ August 19, 1992. n er andritteneH%#anation, de 4esus /aintained tat se /ere#) $o//itted a /ista3e in tri//ing -.;. No. +5+ as it

as te sa/e st)#e and design as -.;. No. +2' i$ as an atta$ed %ri$e #ist for tri//ing te ribsand ad/itted tat se /a) ave been neg#igent in %resu/ing tat te sa/e or3 as to be done it-.;. No. +5+, but not for disonest) or ta/%ering. -etitionersF %ersonne# de%art/ent, nonete#ess,ter/inated er fro/ e/%#o)/ent and sent er a noti$e of ter/ination dated Se%te/ber 1, 1992.

;n Se%te/ber 22, 1992, de 4esus fi#ed a $o/%#aint for i##ega# dis/issa# against %etitioners. :e LaborArbiter o eard te $ase noted tat de 4esus as a/%#) a$$orded %ro$edura# due %ro$ess in erter/ination fro/ servi$e. Neverte#ess, after observing tat de 4esus /ade so/e furter tri//ing on -.;. No.+5+ and tat er dis/issa# as not ustified, te Labor Arbiter e#d %etitioners gui#t) of i##ega# dis/issa#.-etitioners ere a$$ording#) ordered to reinstate de 4esus to er %revious %osition itout #oss of seniorit)rigts and it fu## ba$3ages fro/ te ti/e of er sus%ension on August 19, 1992. Dissatisfied it te LaborArbiterFs de$ision, %etitioners a%%ea#ed to %ub#i$ res%ondent Nationa# Labor Re#ations Co//ission NLRCE. nits 4u#) 21, 199' de$ision, te NLRC ru#ed tat de 4esus as neg#igent in %resu/ing tat te ribs of -.;. No.

+5+ sou#d #i3eise be tri//ed for aving te sa/e st)#e and design as -.;. No. +2', tus %etitioners$annot be entire#) fau#ted for dis/issing de 4esus. :e NLRC de$#ared tat te status uo beteen te/sou#d be /aintained and affir/ed te Labor ArbiterFs order of reinstate/ent, but itout ba$3ages. :eNLRC furter Idire$ted %etitioner to %a) de 4esus er ba$3 sa#aries fro/ te date se fi#ed er /otion foreHe$ution on Se%te/ber 21, 199+ u% to te date of te %ro/u#gation of TteU de$ision.I -etitioners fi#ed teir%artia# /otion for re$onsideration i$ te NLRC denied, en$e tis %etition an$ored substantia##) on tea##eged NLRCFs error in o#ding tat de 4esus is entit#ed to reinstate/ent and ba$3 sa#aries.

ssueeter or not %rivate res%ondent as i##ega# dis/issed

6e#d

:e Court e#d, g#eaned eiter fro/ te Labor ArbiterFs observations or fro/ te NLRCFs assess/ent,it distin$t#) a%%ears tat %etitionersF a$$usation of disonest) and ta/%ering of offi$ia# re$ords and do$u/entsit intention of $eating against de 4esus as not substantiated b) $#ear and $onvin$ing eviden$e.-etitioners si/%#) fai#ed, bot before te Labor Arbiter and te NLRC, to dis$arge te burden of %roof and tova#id#) ustif) de 4esusF dis/issa# fro/ servi$e. :e #a, in tis #igt, dire$ts te e/%#o)ers, su$ as erein%etitioners, not to ter/inate te servi$es of an e/%#o)ee eH$e%t for a ust or autori8ed $ause under te Labe#

Code. La$3 of a ust $ause in te dis/issa# fro/ servi$e of an e/%#o)ee, as in tis $ase, renders tedis/issa# i##ega#, des%ite te e/%#o)erFs observan$e of %ro$edura# due %ro$ess.

"ua##) un/eritorious is %etitionersF assertion tat te dis/issa# is ustified on te basis of #oss of$onfiden$e. i#e #oss of $onfiden$e, as $orre$t#) argued b) %etitioners, is one of te va#id grounds forter/ination of e/%#o)/ent, te sa/e, oever, $annot be used as a %reteHt to vindi$ate ea$ and ever)instan$e of unarranted dis/issa#. :o be a va#id ground, it /ust be son tat te e/%#o)ee $on$erned

is res%onsib#e for te /is$ondu$t or infra$tion and tat te nature of is %arti$i%ation terein renderedi/ abso#ute#) unort) of te trust and $onfiden$e de/anded b) is %osition. 11n tis $ase, %etitionersere unsu$$essfu# in estab#ising teir a$$usations of disonest) and ta/%ering of re$ords it intentionof $eating. ndeed, even if %etitionersF a##egations against de 4esus ere true, te) ust te sa/e fai#edto %rove tat er %osition needs te $ontinued and un$easing trust of er e/%#o)ers. :e brea$ of trust/ust be re#ated to te %erfor/an$e of te e/%#o)eeFs fun$tions.

G.R. No. 77205 a) 27, 1991

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*AL"N:N; :;RLL;,%etitioner, vs.*C"N:" L";GARD;, 4R., in is offi$ia# $a%a$it) as De%ut) inister of Labor te 6;N;RA!L"NS:"R ;( LA!;R AND "-L;>"N

150683882 Labor Standards Case Digest Part III

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