Datuman vs First Cosmopolitan

7/23/2019 Datuman vs First Cosmopolitan

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SANTOSA B.DATUMAN,

Petitioner,

versus

FIRSTCOSMOPOLITANMANPOWER ANDPROMOTIONSERVICES, INC.,

Respondent.

G.R. No. 156029

Present: PUNO, C.J.,*

CARPIO,**

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,***

CORONA,

CARPIO MORALES,***

and

LEONARDO-DECASTRO, JJ.

Pro!"#ated:

No$e%er &', ())

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

DECISION

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.:

eore !s is a petition or re$ie on /ertiorari!nder R!"e '0 o t1e &223 R!"es o Ci$i" Pro/ed!re,



as aended, assai"in# t1e Co!rt o Appea"s 4CA5De/ision6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&96endi9 dated A!#!st 3, ())(, inCA-.R. SP No. 02(0, settin# aside t1e De/ision o t1e Nationa" La%or Re"ations Coission 4NLRC5.

T1e a/ts are as o""os:

Soetie in &22, respondent 8irst

Cosopo"itan Manpoer ; Prootion Ser$i/es, In/.re/r!ited petitioner Santosa . Dat!an to or<a%road !nder t1e o""oin# ters and /onditions:

Site o ep"o=ent - a1rainEp"o=ees C"assi>/ation?Position?rade - Sa"es"ad=asi/ Mont1"= Sa"ar= - US@3).))D!ration o Contra/t - One 4&5 =ear

8orei#n Ep"o=er - Mo1aed S1ari A%%as 1!"aB!ssain6i 7

s!pport8ootnotes96(96endi9

On Apri" &3, &22, petitioner as dep"o=ed toa1rain ater pa=in# t1e re!ired p"a/eent ee.Boe$er, 1er ep"o=er Mo1aed B!ssain too<1er passport 1en s1e arri$ed t1ere and instead o or<in# as a sa"es"ad=, s1e as or/ed to or< as a

doesti/ 1e"per it1 a sa"ar= o 8ort= a1rain Dinar4D').))5, e!i$a"ent on"= to One B!ndred USDo""ars 4US@&)).))5. T1is as /ontrar= to t1ea#reed sa"ar= o US@3).)) indi/ated in 1erContra/t o Ep"o=ent si#ned in t1e P1i"ippines



and appro$ed %= t1e P1i"ippine O$erseasEp"o=ent Adinistration 4POEA5.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes969

6endi9

On Septe%er &, &22, 1er ep"o=er/ope""ed 1er to si#n anot1er /ontra/t, transerrin#1er to anot1er ep"o=er as 1o!seaid it1 asa"ar= o D').)) or t1e d!ration o to 4(5 =ears.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96'96endi9 S1e p"eaded it1 1i to #i$e 1era re"ease paper and to ret!rn 1er passport %!t 1erp"eas ere !n1eeded. Let it1 no /1oi/e, s1e

/ontin!ed or<in# a#ainst 1er i"". orse, s1e e$enor<ed it1o!t /opensation ro Septe%er&22& to Apri" &22 %e/a!se o 1er ep"o=ers/ontin!ed ai"!re and re!sa" to pa= 1er sa"ar=despite deand. In Ma= &22, s1e as a%"e to>na""= ret!rn to t1e P1i"ippines t1ro!#1 t1e 1e"p o t1e a1rain Passport and Ii#ration Departent.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96096endi9

In Ma= &220, petitioner >"ed a /op"aint

%eore t1e POEA AdF!di/ation OG/e a#ainstrespondent or !nderpa=ent and nonpa=ent o sa"ar=, $a/ation "ea$e pa= and re!nd o 1er p"aneare, do/<eted as Case No. POEA ADH. 4L5 20-)0-&0.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes9696endi9 1i"e t1e /ase aspendin#, s1e >"ed t1e instant /ase %eore t1e NLRCor !nderpa=ent o sa"ar= or a period o one =earand si+ ont1s, nonpa=ent o $a/ation pa= andrei%!rseent o ret!rn airare.



1en t1e parties ai"ed to arri$e at an

ai/a%"e sett"eent %eore t1e La%or Ar%iter, t1e=ere re!ired to >"e t1eir respe/ti$e position

papers, s!%se!ent p"eadin#s and do/!entar=e+1i%its.

In its Position Paper,6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96396endi9

respondent /o!ntered t1at petitioner a/t!a""=a#reed to or< in a1rain as a 1o!seaid or one4&5 =ear %e/a!se it as t1e on"= position a$ai"a%"e

t1en. Boe$er, sin/e s!/1 position as not =eta""oed %= t1e POEA at t1at tie, t1e= !t!a""=a#reed to s!%it t1e /ontra/t to t1e POEAindi/atin# petitioners position as sa"es"ad=.Respondent added t1at it as a/t!a""= petitioner1erse" 1o $io"ated t1e ters o t1eir /ontra/t1en s1e a""e#ed"= transerred to anot1er ep"o=erit1o!t respondents <no"ed#e and appro$a".Last"=, respondent raised t1e deense o pres/ription o /a!se o a/tion sin/e t1e /"ai as>"ed %e=ond t1e t1ree 45-=ear period ro t1e tiet1e ri#1t a//r!ed, re/<oned ro eit1er &22) or&22&.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes9696endi9

On Apri" (2, &22, La%or Ar%iter Ho$en/io

Ma=or, Hr. rendered a De/ision >ndin# respondent"ia%"e or $io"atin# t1e ters o t1e Ep"o=entContra/t and orderin# it to pa= petitioner: 4a5 t1eao!nt o US@',)0).)), or its e!i$a"ent rate



pre$ai"in# at t1e tie o pa=ent, representin# 1ersa"ar= diJerentia"s or >teen 4&05 ont1s and, 4%5t1e ao!nt o D &).)) or its e!i$a"ent ratepre$ai"in# at t1e tie o pa=ent, representin# t1e

re!nd o p"ane ti/<et, t1!s:

8ro t1e ore#oin# a/t!a" %a/<drop, t1eon"= /r!/ia" iss!e or !s to reso"$e in t1is /ase is1et1er or not /op"ainant is entit"ed to 1eronetar= /"ais.

+ + +

In t1e instant /ase, ro t1e a/ts and/ir/!stan/es "aid don, it is t1!s se"-e$identt1at t1e re"ations1ip o t1e /op"ainant andrespondent a#en/= is #o$erned %= t1e Contra/t

o Ep"o=ent, t1e %asi/ ters a /o$enants o 1i/1 pro$ided or t1e position o sa"es"ad=,ont1"= /opensation o US@3).)) andd!ration o /ontra/t or one 4&5 =ear. As it is,1en t1e parties /op"ainant and respondentA#en/= si#ned and e+e/!ted t1e POEA appro$edContra/t o Ep"o=ent, t1is a#reeent is t1e"a t1at #o$erns t1e. T1!s, 1en respondent

a#en/= de$iated ro t1e ters o t1e /ontra/t%= assi#nin# t1e position o a 1o!seaid to/op"ainant instead o a sa"es"ad= as a#reed!pon in t1e POEA-appro$ed Contra/t o Ep"o=ent, respondent A#en/= /oitted a%rea/1 o said Ep"o=ent Contra/t. Wort! o" #$%t&o% &' t$ "()t t(t r$'*o%+$%t ($%)!



&% t$&r Po'&t&o% P(*$r *(r(r(* 2, Br&$" St(t$#$%t o" t$ F()t' (%+ o" t$ C('$(+#&tt$+ t(t &t (+ $%t$r$+ &%to (% &--$(-)o%tr()t &t )o#*-(&%(%t /! *ro*o'&% t$*o'&t&o% o" ( o'$#(&+ &) '(&+ *o'&t&o%(' t$% %ot (--o$+ /! t$ POEA, /!#(&% &t (**$(r &% t$ E#*-o!#$%tCo%tr()t t(t t$ *o'&t&o% /$&% (**-&$+ "or&' t$ *o'&t&o% o" ( '(-$'-(+!. A' &t &', $%+ &%+/&t(/-! )-$(r t(t t$ "or$&%$#*-o!$r (+ too (+3(%t($ to t$ $r$&%o*$-$'' )o#*-(&%(%t (%+ /$)('$ o" t&'or+$(-, t$ '(#$ o/3&o'-! r$%+$r$+

)o#*-(&%(%t' )o%t&%o' $#*-o!#$%t%r$('o%(/-$ &" %ot +o%r&t &#*o''&/-$.

T1e a/ts and s!rro!ndin# /ir/!stan/es o 1erordea" as /on$in/in#"= "aid don %= t1e/op"ainant in 1er Position Paper, ro 1i/1 e>nd no Kas ateria" eno!#1 to disre#ard t1esae. Cop"ainant 1ad /"ear"= ade o!t 1er/ase and no ao!nt o pers!asion /an /on$in/e

!s to ti"t t1e s/a"es o F!sti/e in a$or o respondents 1ose deense as an/1ored so"e"=on t1e Kis= a""e#ations t1at or a period o oret1an >$e 405 =ears ro &22 !nti" &220 not1in#as 1eard ro 1er or ro 1er re"ati$es,pres!in# t1en t1at /op"ainant 1ad no pro%"eit1 1er ep"o=ent a%road. e a"so >nd t1att1e p"eadin#s and t1e anne+es >"ed %= t1e

parties re$ea" a tota" "apse on t1e part o respondent 8irst Cosopo"itan Manpoer andProotions t1eir ai"!re to s!pport it1s!%stantia" e$iden/e t1eir /ontention t1at/op"ainant transerred ro one ep"o=er toanot1er it1o!t <no"ed#e and appro$a" o respondent a#en/= in /ontra$ention o t1e ters



o t1e POEA appro$ed Ep"o=ent Contra/t.O%$io!s"=, respondent A#en/= an/1ored itsdis!isition on t1e a""e#ed /ontra/ts si#ned %=t1e /op"ainant t1at s1e a#reed it1 t1e terso said /ontra/ts one 4&5 =ear d!ration on"= andas a 1o!seaid to s!pport its /ontention t1at/op"ainant $io"ated t1e /ontra/t a#reeent %=transerrin# ro one ep"o=er to anot1er on 1eron $o"ition it1o!t t1e <no"ed#e and /onsento respondent a#en/=. To !s, t1is post!re o respondent a#en/= is !na$ai"in#. T1esedo/!ents are se"-ser$in#. e /o!"d not %!t r!"et1at t1e sae ere a%ri/ated to tai"or->t t1eir

deense t1at /op"ainant as #!i"t= o $io"atin#t1e ters o t1e Ep"o=ent Contra/t.Conse!ent"=, e /o!"d not a$oid t1e ineren/eo a ore "o#i/a" /on/"!sion t1at )o#*-(&%(%t(' "or)$+ ((&%'t $r &-- to )o%t&%$ &t$r $#*-o!#$%t %ot&t't(%+&% t$ "()tt(t &t (' &% 3&o-(t&o% o" t$ or&&%(-E#*-o!#$%t Co%tr()t &%)-+&% t$ &--$(-

&to-+&% o" $r *(''*ort.

it1 t1e ore#oin#, e >nd and so r!"e t1at

respondent A#en/= ai"ed to dis/1ar#e t1e %!rdeno pro$in# it1 s!%stantia" e$iden/e t1at

/op"ainant $io"ated t1e ters o t1eEp"o=ent Contra/t, t1!s ne#atin# respondentA#en/=s "ia%i"it= or /op"ainants one= /"ais.A"" t1e ore, t1e re/ord is %eret o an= e$iden/eto s1o t1at /op"ainant Dat!an is eit1er notentit"ed to 1er a#e diJerentia"s or 1a$e a"read=re/ei$ed t1e sae ro respondent. As s!/1, e



are peror/e /onstrained to #rant /op"ainantspra=er or pa=ent o sa"ar= diJerentia"s/op!ted as o""os:

Han!ar= &22( Apri" &22 4&0 ont1s5

US@3).)) a#reed sa"ar=

US@&)).)) a/t!a" paid sa"ar=US@(3).)) %a"an/eUS@(3).)) + &0 ont1s US@')0).))

e are a"so in/"ined to #rant /op"ainants entit"eentto a re!nd o 1er p"ane ti/<et in t1e ao!nt o D &) a1rain Dinar or t1e e!i$a"ent inP1i"ippine C!rren/= at t1e rate o e+/1an#e

pre$ai"in# at t1e tie o pa=ent.

Anent /op"ainants /"ai or $a/ation "ea$e pa= and

o$ertie pa=, e /annot, 1oe$er, #rant t1esae or ai"!re on t1e part o /op"ainant topro$e it1 parti/!"arit= t1e ont1s t1at s1e as

not #ranted $a/ation "ea$e and t1e da= 1ereins1e did render o$ertie or<.

A"so, e /o!"d not #rant /op"ainants pra=er or aard



o daa#es and attorne=s ees or "a/< o a/t!a"and "e#a" %asis.

BERE8ORE, preises /onsidered, F!d#ent is 1ere%=

rendered, >ndin# respondent A#en/= "ia%"e or$io"atin# t1e ter o Ep"o=ent Contra/t andrespondent 8irst Cosopo"itan Manpoer andProotions is 1ere%= ordered:

To pa= /op"ainant t1e ao!nt o US@ 8OUR

TBOUSAND AND 8I8T 4US@',)0).))5, or itse!i$a"ent rate pre$ai"in# at t1e tie o pa=ent,representin# 1er sa"ar= diJerentia"s or >teen4&05 ont1s

To pa= /op"ainant t1e ao!nt o D &).)) or its

e!i$a"ent rate pre$ai"in# at t1e tie o pa=ent,representin# t1e re!nd o p"ane ti/<et

A"" ot1er /"ais are 1ere%= disissed or "a/< o erit.

SO ORDERED.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96296endi9 4ep1asis s!pp"ied5



On appea", t1e NLRC, Se/ond Di$ision, iss!eda De/ision6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&)96endi9 aGrin# it1odi>/ation t1e De/ision o La%or Ar%iter Ma=or, Hr.,

%= red!/in# t1e aard o sa"ar= diJerentia"s roUS@',)0).)) to US@(,23).)) ratio/inatin# aso""os:

A//ordin#"=, e >nd t1at t1e /"ais orsa"ar= diJerentia"s a//r!in# ear"ier t1an Apri" o &22 1ad indeed pres/ri%ed. T1is is so as/op"ainant 1ad >"ed 1er /op"aint on Ma= &,

&220 1en s1e arri$ed ro t1e Fo%site in Apri"&22. Sin/e t1e /a!se o a/tion or sa"ar=diJerentia" a//r!es at t1e tie 1en it a""s d!e,it is /"ear t1at on"= t1e /"ais or t1e ont1s o Ma= &22 to Apri" &22' 1a$e not =et pres/ri%ed.it1 an appro$ed sa"ar= rate o US@3).)) $is--$is t1e ao!nt o sa"ar= re/ei$ed 1i/1 as@&)).)), /op"ainant is entit"ed to t1e sa"ar=

diJerentia" or t1e said period in t1e ao!nt o @(,23).)).

+ + +

BERE8ORE, preises /onsidered, F!d#ent is 1ere%= rendered MODI8IN t1eassai"ed De/ision %= red!/in# t1e aard o sa"ar=diJerentia"s to @(,23).)) to t1e /op"ainant.



T1e rest o t1e disposition is A88IRMED.

SO ORDERED.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&&96endi9

On H!"= (&, ())), respondent e"e$ated t1e

atter to t1e CA t1ro!#1 a petition or /ertiorari

!nder R!"e 0.

On A!#!st (, ())),6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&(96endi9 t1e CAdisissed t1e petition or %ein# ins!G/ient in orp!rs!ant to t1e "ast para#rap1 o Se/tion , R!"e '(o t1e &223 R!"es o Ci$i" Pro/ed!re, as aended.

On O/to%er (), ())),6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&96endi9 1oe$er,t1e CA reinstated t1e petition !pon respondentsotion or re/onsideration.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&'96endi9

On A!#!st 3, ())(, t1e CA iss!ed t1e assai"ed

De/ision6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&096endi9 #rantin# t1e petitionand re$ersin# t1e NLRC and t1e La%or Ar%iter, t1!s:

Under Se/tion & 45, R!"e II, oo< II o t1e &22& POEA

R!"es and Re#!"ations, t1e "o/a" a#en/= s1a""ass!e Foint and so"idar= "ia%i"it= it1 t1eep"o=er or a"" /"ais and "ia%i"ities 1i/1 a=arise in /onne/tion it1 t1e ip"eentation o



t1e /ontra/t, in/"!din# %!t not "iited to pa=ento a#es, 1ea"t1 and disa%i"it= /opensation andrepatriation.

Respondent Coission as /orre/t in

de/"arin# t1at /"ais o pri$ate respondent orsa"ar= diJerentia"s a//r!in# ear"ier t1an Apri" o &22 1ad indeed pres/ri%ed. It !st %e notedt1at petitioner /opan= is pri$= on"= to t1e >rst/ontra/t. rantin# ar#!endo t1at its "ia%i"it=

e+tends to t1e a/ts o its orei#n prin/ipa", t1e Toerin# Re/r!itin# Ser$i/es, 1i/1 appears to1a$e a 1and in t1e e+e/!tion o t1e se/ond/ontra/t, it is O!r /onsidered opinion t1at t1esae o!"d, at t1e ost, e+tend on"= !p to t1ee+piration o t1e se/ond /ontra/t or !nti" )&Septe%er &22&. C"ear"=, t1e one= /"aiss!%Fe/t o t1e /op"aint >"ed in &220 1ad

pres/ri%ed.

Boe$er, t1is Co!rt de/"ares respondent Coission

as not on"= 1a$in# a%!sed its dis/retion, %!t as%ein# it1o!t F!risdi/tion at a"", in de/"arin#pri$ate respondent entit"ed to sa"ar= diJerentia"s.

Ater de/reein# t1e one= /"ais a//r!in# %eoreApri" &22 as 1a$in# pres/ri%ed, it 1as no ore

F!risdi/tion to 1o"d petitioner /opan= or sa"ar=diJerentia"s ater t1at period. To reiterate, t1e"o/a" a#en/= s1a"" ass!e Foint and so"idar="ia%i"it= it1 t1e ep"o=er or a"" /"ais and"ia%i"ities 1i/1 a= arise in connection with the



implementation of the contract . 1i/1 /ontra/tUpon a F!di/io!s /onsideration, e so 1o"d t1at itis only in connection with the rst contract . T1epro$isions in n!%er (, Se/tion &) 4a5, R!"e ,oo< I o t1e Oni%!s R!"es Ip"eentin# t1eLa%or Code Se/tion & 45, R!"e II, oo< II o t1e&22& POEA R!"es and Re#!"ations ere not adeto a<e t1e "o/a" a#en/= a perpet!a" ins!rera#ainst a"" !ntoard a/ts t1at a= %e done %=t1e orei#n prin/ipa" or t1e dire/t ep"o=era%road. It is on"= as re#ards t1e prin/ipa" /ontra/tto 1i/1 it is pri$= s1a"" its "ia%i"it= e+tend. InCatan v. National Labor Relations Commission,

&) SCRA 2& 4&25, it as 1e"d t1at t1eresponsi%i"ities o t1e "o/a" a#ent and t1e orei#nprin/ipa" toards t1e /ontra/ted ep"o=ees!nder t1e re/r!itent a#reeent e+tends !p toand !nti" t1e e+piration o t1e ep"o=ent/ontra/ts o t1e ep"o=ees re/r!ited andep"o=ed p!rs!ant to t1e said re/r!itenta#reeent.

+ + +

8ore#oin# /onsidered, t1e assai"ed De/ision dated ('8e%r!ar= ())) and t1e Reso"!tion dated ( H!ne())) o respondent Coission in NLRC NCR CA)&0'-2 are 1ere%= SET ASIDE.



SO ORDERED.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&96endi9

Petitioners Motion or Re/onsideration6i 7

s!pport8ootnotes96&396endi9 t1ereon as denied in t1e assai"edReso"!tion6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&96endi9 dated No$e%er &',())(.

Ben/e, t1e present petition %ased on t1eo""oin# #ro!nds:

I.

TBE BONORALE COURT O8 APPEALS COMMITTED AREERSILE ERROR BEN IT AANDONED TBE8ACTUAL 8INDINS O8 TBE LAOR ARITER ASA88IRMED TBE NATIONAL LAOR RELATIONSCOMMISSION.

II.

TBE BONORALE COURT O8 APPEALS PATENTL ERREDIN BOLDIN TBAT TBE RESPONDENT AENC ISONL A 6si/9 PRI AND LIALE TO TBE PRINCIPALCONTRACT.

III.



TBE BONORALE COURT O8 APPEALS RAEL ERREDIN BOLDIN TBAT TBE CAUSE O8 ACTION O8 TBEPETITIONER ALREAD PRESCRIED.

T1e respondent /o!nters in its Coent t1at

t1e CA is /orre/t in r!"in# t1at it is not "ia%"e or t1eonetar= /"ais o petitioner as t1e /"ai 1ada"read= pres/ri%ed and 1ad no a/t!a" %asis.

Sip"= p!t, t1e iss!es %oi" don to 1et1ert1e CA erred in not 1o"din# respondent "ia%"e orpetitioners one= /"ais p!rs!ant to t1eir Contra/to Ep"o=ent.

e #rant t1e petition.

On whether respondent is solidarily liable for

petitioners monetary claims



Se/tion & o R!"e II o t1e POEA R!"es andRe#!"ations states t1at:Se/tion &. Re!ireents or Iss!an/e o Li/ense. E$er=

app"i/ant or "i/ense to operate a pri$ate

ep"o=ent a#en/= or annin# a#en/= s1a""s!%it a ritten app"i/ation to#et1er it1 t1eo""oin# re!ireents:

+ + +. A $eri>ed !nderta<in# statin# t1at t1e app"i/ant:+ + +45 S1a"" ass!e 4o&%t (%+ 'o-&+(r! -&(/&-&t! &t t$

$#*-o!$r "or (-- )-(&#' (%+ -&(/&-&t&$' &)#(! (r&'$ &% )o%%$)t&o% &t t$&#*-$#$%t(t&o% o" t$ )o%tr()t in/"!din# %!tnot "iited to pa=ent o a#es, deat1 anddisa%i"it= /opensation and repatriation.



4ep1asis s!pp"ied5

T1e a%o$e pro$isions are /"ear t1at t1e pri$ateep"o=ent a#en/= s1a"" ass!e Foint and so"idar="ia%i"it= it1 t1e ep"o=er.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96&296endi9 T1isCo!rt 1as, tie and a#ain, r!"ed t1at pri$ateep"o=ent a#en/ies are 1e"d Foint"= and se$era""="ia%"e it1 t1e orei#n-%ased ep"o=er for any violation of the recruitment agreement or contract

of employment.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96()96endi9 T1is Foint andso"idar= "ia%i"it= iposed %= "a a#ainst re/r!itenta#en/ies and orei#n ep"o=ers is eant to ass!ret1e a##rie$ed or<er o immediate and sucient

payment o 1at is d!e 1i.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96(&96endi9 T1isis in "ine it1 t1e po"i/= o t1e state to prote/t anda""e$iate t1e p"i#1t o t1e or<in# /"ass. In t1e assai"ed De/ision, t1e CA disre#arded t1eaore/ited pro$ision o t1e "a and t1e po"i/= o t1estate 1en it re$ersed t1e >ndin#s o t1e NLRC andt1e La%or Ar%iter. As t1e a#en/= 1i/1 re/r!itedpetitioner, respondent is Foint"= and so"idari"= "ia%"eit1 t1e "atters prin/ipa" ep"o=er a%road or 1er4petitioners5 one= /"ais. Respondent /annot,t1ereore, e+ept itse" ro a"" t1e /"ais and"ia%i"ities arisin# ro t1e ip"eentation o t1eirPOEA-appro$ed Contra/t o Ep"o=ent.



e /annot a#ree it1 t1e $ie o t1e CA t1att1e so"idar= "ia%i"it= o respondent e+tends on"= tot1e >rst /ontra/t 4i.e. t1e ori#ina", POEA-appro$ed/ontra/t 1i/1 1ad a ter o !nti" Apri" &22)5. T1e

si#nin# o t1e s!%stit!te /ontra/ts it1 t1e orei#nep"o=er?prin/ipa" before t1e e+piration o t1ePOEA-appro$ed /ontra/t and an= /ontin!ation o petitioners ep"o=ent %e=ond t1e ori#ina" one-=ear ter, a#ainst t1e i"" o petitioner, are/ontin!in# %rea/1es o t1e ori#ina" POEA-appro$ed/ontra/t. To a//ept t1e CAs reasonin# i"" open t1e

Kood#ates to e$en ore a%!se o o!r o$erseasor<ers at t1e 1ands o t1eir orei#n ep"o=ers and"o/a" re/r!iters, sin/e t1e re/r!itent a#en/= /o!"deasi"= es/ape its andated so"idar= "ia%i"it= or%rea/1es o t1e POEA-appro$ed /ontra/t %=/o""!din# it1 t1eir orei#n prin/ipa"s in s!%stit!tin#t1e appro$ed /ontra/t it1 anot1er !pon t1eor<ers arri$a" in t1e /o!ntr= o ep"o=ent. S!/1o!t/oe is /ertain"= /ontrar= to t1e States po"i/= o e+tendin# prote/tion and s!pport to o!r o$erseasor<ers. To %e s!re, Rep!%"i/ A/t No. )'( e+p"i/it"=pro1i%its t1e s!%stit!tion or a"teration to t1epreF!di/e o t1e or<er o ep"o=ent /ontra/tsa"read= appro$ed and $eri>ed %= t1e Departent o La%or and Ep"o=ent 4DOLE5 ro t1e tie o a/t!a" si#nin# t1ereo %= t1e parties !p to andin/"!din# t1e period o t1e e+piration o t1e saeit1o!t t1e appro$a" o t1e DOLE.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96((9

6endi9



Respondents /ontention t1at it as petitioner

1erse" 1o $io"ated t1eir Contra/t o Ep"o=ent1en s1e si#ned anot1er /ontra/t in a1rain

deser$es s/ant /onsideration. It is t1e >ndin# o %ot1 t1e La%or Ar%iter and t1e NLRC 1i/1,si#ni>/ant"=, t1e CA did not dist!r% t1at petitioneras or/ed to or< "on# ater t1e ter o 1erori#ina" POEA-appro$ed /ontra/t, t1ro!#1 t1e i""e#a"a/ts o t1e orei#n ep"o=er.

In Placewell nternational !ervices Corporationv. Camote,6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96(96endi9 e 1e"d t1at t1es!%se!ent"= e+e/!ted side a#reeent o ano$erseas /ontra/t or<er it1 1er orei#n ep"o=er1i/1 red!/ed 1is sa"ar= %e"o t1e ao!ntappro$ed %= t1e POEA is $oid %e/a!se it is a#ainsto!r e+istin# "as, ora"s and p!%"i/ po"i/=. T1e saidside a#reeent /annot s!persede t1e ters o t1estandard ep"o=ent /ontra/t appro$ed %= t1ePOEA.

Ben/e, in t1e present /ase, t1e diin!tion int1e sa"ar= o petitioner ro US@3).)) to US@&))4D ').))5 per ont1 is $oid or $io"atin# t1e POEA-appro$ed /ontra/t 1i/1 set t1e ini!standards, ters, and /onditions o 1erep"o=ent. Conse!ent"=, t1e so"idar= "ia%i"it= o respondent it1 petitioners orei#n ep"o=er orpetitioners one= /"ais /ontin!es a"t1o!#1 s1e



as or/ed to si#n anot1er /ontra/t in a1rain. It ist1e ters o t1e ori#ina" POEA-appro$edep"o=ent /ontra/t t1at s1a"" #o$ern t1ere"ations1ip o petitioner it1 t1e respondent

re/r!itent a#en/= and t1e orei#n ep"o=er. ea#ree it1 t1e La%or Ar%iter and t1e NLRC t1at t1epre/epts o F!sti/e and airness di/tate t1atpetitioner !st %e /opensated or all ont1sor<ed re#ard"ess o t1e s!pposed terination o t1e ori#ina" /ontra/t in Apri" &22). It is !ndisp!tedt1at petitioner as /ope""ed to render ser$i/e

!nti" Apri" &22 and or t1e entire period t1at s1eor<ed or t1e orei#n ep"o=er or 1is !ni"atera""=appointed s!//essor, s1e s1o!"d 1a$e %een paidUS@3)?ont1 or e$er= ont1 or<ed ina//ordan/e it1 1er ori#ina" /ontra/t.

Respondent /annot dis/"ai "ia%i"it= or t1ea/ts o t1e orei#n ep"o=er 1i/1 or/ed petitionerto reain ep"o=ed in $io"ation o o!r "as and!nder t1e ost oppressi$e /onditions on t1ea""e#ation t1at it p!rported"= 1ad no <no"ed#e o,or parti/ipation in, t1e /ontra/t !ni""in#"= si#ned%= petitioner a%road. e /annot #i$e /reden/e tot1is /"ai /onsiderin# t1at respondent %= its ona""e#ations "new ro t1e o!tset t1at t1e /ontra/ts!%itted to t1e POEA or appro$a" as not to %et1e rea" /ontra/t. Respondent %"it1e"= aditted tos!%ittin# to t1e POEA a /ontra/t statin# t1at t1eposition to %e >""ed %= petitioner is t1at o Sa"es"ad=



a"t1o!#1 s1e as to %e ep"o=ed as a doesti/1e"per sin/e t1e "atter position as not appro$edor dep"o=ent %= t1e POEA at t1at tie.Respondents e$ident %ad ait1 and admitted

/ir/!$ention o t1e "as and re#!"ations oni#rant or<ers %e"ie its protestations o inno/en/eand p!t petitioner in a position 1ere s1e /o!"d %ee+p"oited and ta<en ad$anta#e o o$erseas, as1at indeed 1appened to 1er in t1is /ase.

e "oo< !pon it1 #reat disa$or t1e

!ns!%stantiated a/t!ations o inno/en/e ori#noran/e on t1e part o "o/a" re/r!itent a#en/ieso a/ts o t1eir orei#n prin/ipa"s, as i t1e a#en/iesresponsi%i"it= ends it1 t1e dep"o=ent o t1eor<er. In t1e "i#1t o t1e re/r!itent a#en/=s"e#a""= andated Foint and se$era" "ia%i"it= it1 t1eorei#n ep"o=er or all /"ais in /onne/tion it1t1e implementation of the contract, it is t1ere/r!itent a#en/=s responsi%i"it= to ens!re t1att1e ters and /onditions o t1e ep"o=ent/ontra/t, as appro$ed %= t1e POEA, are ait1!""=/op"ied it1 and ip"eented proper"= %= itsorei#n /"ient?prin/ipa". Indeed, it is in its %estinterest to do so to a$oid %ein# 1a"ed to t1e /o!rtsor "a%or tri%!na"s and deend itse" ro s!its ora/ts o its orei#n prin/ipa". On whether petitionersclaims for underpaid



salaries have prescribed

It s1o!"d %e re/a""ed t1at t1e La%or Ar%iter and

t1e NLRC sii"ar"= o!nd t1at petitioner is entit"edto !nderpaid sa"aries, a"%eit t1e= diJered in t1en!%er o ont1s or 1i/1 sa"ar= diJerentia"s

s1o!"d %e paid. T1e CA, on t1e ot1er 1and, 1e"dt1at a"" o petitioners onetar= /"ais 1a$epres/ri%ed p!rs!ant to Arti/"e (2& o t1e La%orCode 1i/1 pro$ides t1at:

Art. (2&. Mone= C"ais. A"" one= /"aisarisin# ro ep"o=er-ep"o=ee re"ations

a//r!in# d!rin# t1e eJe/ti$it= o t1is Code s1a""%e >"ed it1in tr$$ !$(r' ro t1e tie t1at/a!se o a/tion a//r!ed ot1erise, t1e= s1a"" %eore$er %arred. 4ep1asis s!pp"ied5



e do not a#ree it1 t1e CA 1en it 1e"d t1at t1e/a!se o a/tion o petitioner 1ad a"read= pres/ri%edas t1e t1ree-=ear pres/ripti$e period s1o!"d %e

re/<oned ro Septe%er &, &22 1en petitioneras or/ed to si#n anot1er /ontra/t a#ainst 1er i"".As stated in t1e /op"aint, one o petitioners/a!ses o a/tion as or !nderpa=ent o sa"aries.

T1e NLRC /orre/t"= r!"ed t1e ri#1t to /"ai !npaidsa"aries 4or in t1is /ase, !npaid sa"ar= diJerentia"s5a//r!e as they fall due.6i 7s!pport8ootnotes96('96endi9 T1!s,

petitioners /a!se o a/tion to /"ai sa"ar=diJerentia" or O/to%er &22 on"= a//r!ed ater s1e1ad rendered ser$i/e or t1at ont1 4or at t1e endo O/to%er &225. Ber ri#1t to /"ai sa"ar=diJerentia" or No$e%er &22 on"= a//r!ed at t1eend o No$e%er &22, and so on and so ort1. ot1 t1e La%or Ar%iter and t1e NLRC o!nd t1atpetitioner as or/ed to or< !nti" Apri" &22.Interestin#"=, t1e CA did not dist!r% t1is >ndin# %!t1e"d on"= t1at t1e e+tent o respondents "ia%i"it=as "iited to t1e ter !nder t1e ori#ina" /ontra/tor, at ost, to t1e ter o t1e s!%se!ent /ontra/tentered into it1 t1e parti/ipation o respondentsorei#n prin/ipa", i.e. &22&. e 1a$e dis/!ssedpre$io!s"= t1e reasons 1= 4a5 t1e CAs t1eor= o "iited "ia%i"it= on t1e part o respondent is!ntena%"e and 4%5 t1e petitioner 1as a ri#1t to %e/opensated or a"" ont1s s1e, in a/t, as or/ed



to or<. To deterine or 1i/1 ont1s petitionersri#1t to /"ai sa"ar= diJerentia"s 1as not pres/ri%ed,e !st /o!nt t1ree =ears prior to t1e >"in# o t1e/op"aint on Ma= &, &220. T1!s, on"= /"ais

a//r!in# prior to M(! 1, 1992 1a$e pres/ri%ed1en t1e /op"aint as >"ed on Ma= &, &220.Petitioner is entit"ed to 1er /"ais or sa"ar=diJerentia"s or t1e period Ma= &, &22( to Apri"&22, or appro+iate"= e"e$en 4&&5 ont1s.6i 7

s!pport8ootnotes96(096endi9

e >nd t1at t1e NLRC /orre/t"= /op!ted t1esa"ar= diJerentia" d!e to petitioner at US@(,23).))4US@3).)) as appro$ed sa"ar= rate US@&)).)) assa"ar= re/ei$ed US@(2) as !nderpaid sa"ar= peront1 + && ont1s5. Boe$er, it s1o!"d %e or t1eperiod Ma= &, &22( to Apri" &22 and not Ma=&22 to Apri" &22' as erroneo!s"= stated in t1eNLRCs De/ision.

A nal note

T1is Co!rt reinds "o/a" re/r!itent a#en/ies t1atit is t1eir %o!nden d!t= to #!arantee o!r o$erseasor<ers t1at t1e= are %ein# re/r!ited or bona de

Fo%s it1 bona de ep"o=ers. Lo/a" a#en/iess1o!"d ne$er a""o t1ese"$es to %e instr!ents o e+p"oitation or oppression o t1eir /opatriots att1e 1ands o orei#n ep"o=ers. Indeed, %ein# t1eones 1o pro>t ost ro t1e e+od!s o 8i"ipino



or<ers to >nd #reener past!res a%road, re/r!iterss1o!"d %e >rst to ens!re t1e e"are o t1e $er=peop"e t1at <eep t1eir ind!str= a"i$e.

WEREFORE, t1e petition is GRANTED. T1eassai"ed De/ision o t1e Co!rt o Appea"s datedA!#!st 3, ())( and Reso"!tion dated No$e%er &',())( in CA-.R. SP No. 02(0 are REVERSED ANDSET ASIDE. T1e De/ision o t1e Nationa" La%orRe"ations Coission dated 8e%r!ar= (', ())) isREINSTATED it1 a !a"i>/ation it1 respe/t to

t1e aard o sa"ar= diJerentia"s, 1i/1 s1o!"d %e#ranted or t1e period Ma= &, &22( to Apri" &22and not Ma= &22 to Apri" &22'. SO ORDERED.

TERESITA 7. LEONARDO8DE CASTROAsso/iate H!sti/e

E CONCUR:

Datuman vs First Cosmopolitan

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