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7/18/2019 Labor Standards Full Text Case 3
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/labor-standards-full-text-case-3 1/27
Case no. 1
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
FIRST DIVISION
G.R. No. 109114 September 14, 1993
HOLIDA INN MANILA !"#$or HU%ERT LINER !"# %A% DIS&UITADO, petitioners,
s.
NATIONAL LA%OR RELATIONS COMMISSION 'Se(o"# D)*)+)o" !"# ELENA
HONASAN, respon!ents.
Inocentes, De Leon, Leogardo, Atienza, Manaye & Azucena Law Office for petitioners.
Florante M. Yamot for pri!ate respondent.
CRU-, J.:
The e"plo#er has absolute !iscretion in hirin$ his e"plo#ees in accor!ance %ith his stan!ar!s of
co"petence an! probit#. This is his prero$atie. Once hire!, ho%eer, the e"plo#ees are entitle!to the protection of the la% een !urin$ the probation perio! an! "ore so after the# hae
beco"e "e"bers of the re$ular force. The e"plo#er !oes not hae the sa"e free!o" in the
hirin$ of his e"plo#ees as in their !is"issal.
&lena 'onasan applie! for e"plo#"ent %ith the 'oli!a# Inn an! %as on (pril 1), 1**1, accepte!
for +onthe-ob trainin$+ as a telephone operator for a perio! of three %ees. 1 For her serices,
she receie! foo! an! transportation allo%ance. On Ma# 1/, 1**0, after co"pletin$ her trainin$, she
%as e"plo#e! on a +probationar# basis+ for a perio! of si "onths en!in$ Noe"ber 10,
1**1. 3
'er e"plo#"ent contract stipulate! that the 'otel coul! ter"inate her probationar# e"plo#"entat an# ti"e prior to the epiration of the si"onth perio! in the eent of her failure 2a3 to learn or
pro$ress in her -ob4 2b3 to faithfull# obsere an! co"pl# %ith the hotel rules an! the instructions
an! or!ers of her superiors4 or 2c3 to perfor" her !uties accor!in$ to hotel stan!ar!s.
On Noe"ber 5, 1**1, four !a#s before the epiration of the stipulate! !ea!line, 'oli!a# Inn
notifie! her of her !is"issal, on the $roun! that her perfor"ance ha! not co"e up to the
stan!ar!s of the 'otel. 4
Throu$h counsel, 'onasan file! a co"plaint for ille$al !is"issal, clai"in$ that she %as alrea!# a
re$ular e"plo#ee at the ti"e of her separation an! so %as entitle! to full securit# of tenure. / The
co"plaint %as !is"isse! on (pril 00, 1**0 b# the 6abor (rbiter, %ho hel! that her separation %as -ustifie! un!er (rticle 051 of the 6abor Co!e proi!in$ as follo%s7
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Probationar# e"plo#"ent shall not ecee! si 283 "onths fro" the !ate the
e"plo#ee starte! %orin$, unless it is coere! b# an apprenticeship a$ree"ent
stipulatin$ a lon$er perio!. The serices of an e"plo#ee %ho has been en$a$e!
on a probationar# basis "a# be ter"inate! for a -ust cause or %hen he fails to
9ualif# as a re$ular e"plo#ee in accor!ance %ith reasonable stan!ar!s "a!e
no%n b# the e"plo#er to the e"plo#ee at the ti"e of his en$a$e"ent. (ne"plo#ee %ho is allo%e! to %or after a probationar# perio! shall be consi!ere!
a re$ular e"plo#ee.
On appeal, this !ecision %as reerse! b# the N6RC, %hich hel! that 'onasan ha! beco"e a
re$ular e"plo#ee an! so coul! not be !is"isse! as a probationer. In its o%n !ecision !ate!
Noe"ber 0:, 1**0, the N6RC or!ere! the petitioners to reinstate 'onasan +to her for"er position
%ithout loss of seniorit# ri$hts an! other priile$es %ith bac%a$es %ithout !e!uction an!
9ualification.+ Reconsi!eration %as !enie! in a resolution !ate! ;anuar# 08, 1**/. 2
The petitioners no% fault the N6RC for hain$ entertaine! 'onasan<s appeal althou$h it %as file!
out of ti"e an! for hol!in$ that 'onasan %as alrea!# a re$ular e"plo#ee at the ti"e of her!is"issal, %hich %as "a!e = !a#s !a#s before the epiration of the probation perio!.
The petition has no "erit.
On the ti"eliness of the appeal, it is %ellsettle! that all notices %hich a part# is entitle! to
receie "ust be course! throu$h his counsel of recor!. Conse9uentl#, the runnin$ of the
re$le"entar# perio! is recone! fro" the !ate of receipt of the -u!$"ent b# the counsel of the
appellant. 9 Notice to the appellant hi"self is not sufficient notice. 10'onasan<s counsel receie! the
!ecision of the 6abor (rbiter on Ma# 15, 1**0. 11 >efore that, ho%eer, the appeal ha! alrea!# been
file! b# 'onasan herself, on Ma# 5, 1**0. 1 The petitioners clai" that she file! it on the thirteenth but
this is irreleant. &en if the latter !ate %as accepte!, the appeal %as neertheless still file! on ti"e,
in fact een before the start of the re$le"entar# perio!.
On the issue of ille$al !is"issal, %e fin! that 'onasan %as place! b# the petitioner on probation
t%ice, first !urin$ her onthe-ob trainin$ for three %ees, an! net !urin$ another perio! of si
"onths, ostensibl# in accor!ance %ith (rticle 051. 'er probation clearl# ecee!e! the perio! of
si "onths prescribe! b# this article.
Probation is the perio! !urin$ %hich the e"plo#er "a# !eter"ine if the e"plo#ee is 9ualifie! for
possible inclusion in the re$ular force. In the case at bar, the perio! %as for three %ees, !urin$
'onasan<s onthe-ob trainin$. ?hen her serices %ere continue! after this trainin$, the
petitioners in effect reco$ni@e! that she ha! passe! probation an! %as 9ualifie! to be a re$ular
e"plo#ee.
'onasan %as certainl# un!er obseration !urin$ her three%ee onthe-ob trainin$. If her
serices proe! unsatisfactor# then, she coul! hae been !roppe! as earl# as !urin$ that perio!.
>ut she %as not. On the contrar#, her serices %ere continue!, presu"abl# because the# %ere
acceptable, althou$h she %as for"all# place! this ti"e on probation.
&en if it be suppose! that the probation !i! not en! %ith the three%ee perio! of onthe-ob
trainin$, there is still no reason %h# that perio! shoul! not be inclu!e! in the stipulate! si"onth
perio! of probation. 'onasan %as accepte! for onthe-ob trainin$ on (pril 1), 1**1. (ssu"in$that her probation coul! be eten!e! be#on! that !ate, it neertheless coul! continue onl# up to
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October 1), 1**1, after the en! of si "onths fro" the earlier !ate. An!er this "ore lenient
approach, she ha! beco"e a re$ular e"plo#ee of 'oli!a# Inn an! ac9uire! full securit# of tenure
as of October 1), 1**1.
The conse9uence is that she coul! no lon$er be su""aril# separate! on the $roun! inoe! b#
the petitioners. (s a re$ular e"plo#ee, she ha! ac9uire! the protection of (rticle 0:* of the6abor Co!e statin$ as follo%s7
(rt. 0:*. "ecurity of #enure B In cases of re$ular e"plo#"ent, the e"plo#er
shall not ter"inate the serices of an e"plo#ee ecept for a -ust cause or %hen
authori@e! b# this Title. (n e"plo#ee %ho is un-ustl# !is"isse! fro" %or shall
be entitle! to reinstate"ent %ithout loss of seniorit# ri$hts an! other priile$es
an! to his full bac%a$es, inclusie of allo%ances, an! to his other benefits or
their "onetar# e9uialent co"pute! fro" the ti"e his co"pensation %as %ithhel!
fro" hi" up to the ti"e of his actual reinstate"ent.
The $roun!s for the re"oal of a re$ular e"plo#ee are enu"erate! in (rticles 050, 05/ an! 05=
of the 6abor Co!e. The proce!ure for such re"oal is prescribe! in Rule IV, >oo V of the
O"nibus Rules I"ple"entin$ the 6abor Co!e. These rules %ere not obsere! in the case at bar
as 'onasan %as si"pl# tol! that her serices %ere bein$ ter"inate! because the# %ere foun! to
be unsatisfactor#. No a!"inistratie inesti$ation of an# in! %as un!ertaen to -ustif# this
$roun!. She %as not een accor!e! prior notice, let alone a chance to be hear!.
?e fin! in the 'otel<s s#ste" of !ouble probation a transparent sche"e to circu"ent the plain
"an!ate of the la% an! "ae it easier for it to !is"iss its e"plo#ees een after the# shall hae
alrea!# passe! probation. The petitioners ha! a"ple ti"e to su""aril# ter"inate 'onasan<s
serices !urin$ her perio! of probation if the# %ere !ee"e! unsatisfactor#. Not hain$ !one so,the# "a# !is"iss her no% onl# upon proof of an# of the le$al $roun!s for the separation of
re$ular e"plo#ees, to be establishe! accor!in$ to the prescribe! proce!ure.
The polic# of the Constitution is to $ie the ut"ost protection to the %orin$ class %hen
sub-ecte! to such "aneuers as the one atte"pte! b# the petitioners. This Court is full#
co""itte! to that polic# an! has al%a#s been 9uic to rise in !efense of the ri$hts of labor, as in
this case.
?'&R&FOR&, the petition is DISMISS&D, %ith costs a$ainst petitioners. It is so or!ere!.
$ri%oA'uino, Da!ide, (r., )ellosillo and *uiason, ((., concur.
+A" -O.
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
FIRST DIVISION
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G.R. No. 11433 September 9, 199/
NITTO ENTERPRISES, petitioner,
s.
NATIONAL LA%OR RELATIONS COMMISSION !"# RO%ERTO CAPILI, respon!ents.
APUNAN, J.:
This petition for certiorari un!er Rule 8) of the Rules of Court seein$ to annul the
!ecision 1 ren!ere! b# public respon!ent National 6abor Relations Co""ission, %hich reerse! the
!ecision of the 6abor (rbiter.
>riefl#, the facts of the case are as follo%s7
Petitioner Nitto &nterprises, a co"pan# en$a$e! in the sale of $lass an! alu"inu" pro!ucts,
hire! Roberto Capili so"eti"e in Ma# 1** as an apprentice "achinist, "ol!er an! core "aer
as ei!ence! b# an apprenticeship a$ree"ent for a perio! of si 283 "onths fro" Ma# 05, 1** to
Noe"ber 05, 1** %ith a !ail# %a$e rate of P88.:) %hich %as :)E of the applicable "ini"u"
%a$e.
(t aroun! 17 p.". of (u$ust 0, 1**, Roberto Capili %ho %as han!lin$ a piece of $lass %hich
he %as %orin$ on, acci!entall# hit an! in-ure! the le$ of an office secretar# %ho %as treate! at a
nearb# hospital.
6ater that sa"e !a#, after office hours, priate respon!ent entere! a %orshop %ithin the office
pre"ises %hich %as not his %or station. There, he operate! one of the po%er press "achines
%ithout authorit# an! in the process in-ure! his left thu"b. Petitioner spent the a"ount of
P1,0/.= to coer the "e!ication of priate respon!ent.
The follo%in$ !a#, Roberto Capili %as ase! to resi$n in a letter 3 %hich rea!s7
(u$
ust
0,
1**
?ala si#an$ tan$$ap n$ utos "ula sa superbisor at %ala si#an$ eperiensa un$
papaano $a"itin an! +TOO6+ sa pa$buhat n$ sala"in, sarili ni#an$ !esis#on an$
pa$$a"it n$ tool at "a# !is$ras#a at na!a"a# pa an$ isan$ seretar#a n$
o"pan#a.
Sa ara% !in$ ito li"an$ 2)3 "inute an$ naaalipas "ula alassin$o n$ hapon
si#a a# pu"aso sa shop na hin!i na"an saop n$ an#an$ trabaho.
Pinaiala"an at inaliot an$ "aina at na!is$ras#a ni#a an$ an#an$ sarilin$
a"a#.
Naa$astos an$ o"pan#a n$ "$a su"usuno!7
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&"er$enc# an! !octor fee P:1).
Me!ecines 2sic 3 an! others /1:.=
>ibi$#an si#a n$ o"pan#a n$ Si#a" na ara% na libren$ saho! han$$an$
"atan$$al an$ tahi n$ an#an$ a"a#.
Tatan$$apin ni#a an$ saho! ni#an$ ani" na ara%, "ula ia/ n$ 'ul#o at ia=
n$ ($osto, 1**.
(n$ o"pan#a an$ "a$baba#a! n$ lahat n$ $astos pa$tan$$al n$ tahi n$
an#an$ a"a#, pa$atapos n$ si#a" na ara% "ula ia0 n$ ($osto.
Sa lahat n$ naasulat sa itaas, hinihin$i n$ o"pan#a an$ an#an$ resi$nas#on,
asa"a n$ an#an$ co"fir"as#on at pa$a#on na an$ lahat sa itaas a# totoo.
Naiintin!ihan o an$ lahat n$ naasulat sa itaas, at an$ lahat n$ ito a# ain$
pa$aasala sa hin!i pa$suno! sa alintuntunin n$ o"pan#a.
2S$!.3
Roberto
Capili
Roberto
Capili
On (u$ust /, 1** priate respon!ent eecute! a uitclai" an! Release in faor of petitioner for an! in consi!eration of the su" of P1,*10.:*. 4
Three !a#s after, or on (u$ust 8, 1**, priate respon!ent for"all# file! before the N6RC
(rbitration >ranch, National Capital Re$ion a co"plaint for ille$al !is"issal an! pa#"ent of other
"onetar# benefits.
On October *, 1**1, the 6abor (rbiter ren!ere! his !ecision fin!in$ the ter"ination of priate
respon!ent as ali! an! !is"issin$ the "one# clai" for lac of "erit. The !ispositie portion of
the rulin$ rea!s7
?'&R&FOR&, pre"ises consi!ere!, the ter"ination is ali! an! for cause, an!the "one# clai"s !is"isse! for lac of "erit.
The respon!ent ho%eer is or!ere! to pa# the co"plainant the a"ount of
P). as financial assistance.
SO ORD&R&D. /
6abor (rbiter Patricio P. 6iboon $ae t%o reasons for rulin$ that the !is"issal of Roberto
Capilian %as ali!. First, priate respon!ent %ho %as hire! as an apprentice iolate! the ter"s of
their a$ree"ent %hen he acte! %ith $ross ne$li$ence resultin$ in the in-ur# not onl# to hi"self
but also to his fello% %orer. Secon!, priate respon!ent ha! sho%n that +he !oes not hae the
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proper attitu!e in e"plo#"ent particularl# the han!lin$ of "achines %ithout authorit# an! proper
trainin$.
On ;ul# 08, 1**/, the National 6abor Relations Co""ission issue! an or!er reersin$ the
!ecision of the 6abor (rbiter, the !ispositie portion of %hich rea!s7
?'&R&FOR&, the appeale! !ecision is hereb# set asi!e. The respon!ent is
hereb# !irecte! to reinstate co"plainant to his %or last perfor"e! %ith
bac%a$es co"pute! fro" the ti"e his %a$es %ere %ithhel! up to the ti"e he is
actuall# reinstate!. The (rbiter of ori$in is hereb# !irecte! to further hear
co"plainant<s "one# clai"s an! to !ispose the" on the basis of la% an!
ei!ence obtainin$.
SO ORD&R&D.
The N6RC !eclare! that priate respon!ent %as a re$ular e"plo#ee of petitioner b#
rulin$ thus7
(s correctl# pointe! out b# the co"plainant, %e cannot un!erstan! ho% an
apprenticeship a$ree"ent file! %ith the Depart"ent of 6abor onl# on ;une :,
1** coul! be ali!l# use! b# the 6abor (rbiter as basis to conclu!e that the
co"plainant %as hire! b# respon!ent as a plain +apprentice+ on Ma# 05, 1**.
Clearl#, therefore, the co"plainant %as respon!ent<s re$ular e"plo#ee un!er
(rticle 05 of the 6abor Co!e, as earl# as Ma# 05,1**, %ho thus en-o#e! the
securit# of tenure $uarantee! in Section /, (rticle III of our 1*5: Constitution.
The co"plainant bein$ for ille$al !is"issal 2a"on$ others3 it then behooes upon
respon!ent, pursuant to (rt. 00:2b3 an! as rule! in &!%in Gesul$on s. N6RC, et
al. 2G.R. No. */=*, March ), 1**/, /r! Di., Feliciano, ( .3 to proe that the
!is"issal of co"plainant %as for a ali! cause. (bsent such proof, %e cannot but
rule that the co"plainant %as ille$all# !is"isse!. 2
On ;anuar# 05, 1**=, 6abor (rbiter 6iboon calle! for a conference at %hich onl# priate
respon!ent<s representatie %as present.
On (pril 00, 1**=, a ?rit of &ecution %as issue!, %hich rea!s7
NO?, T'&R&FOR&, fin!in$ "erit in Hpriate respon!ent<s Motion for Issuance of the ?rit, #ou are hereb# co""an!e! to procee! to the pre"ises of Hpetitioner
Nitto &nterprises an! ;o# Foster locate! at No. l := (raneta (enue, Portero,
Malabon, Metro Manila or at an# other places %here their properties are locate!
an! effect the reinstate"ent of herein Hpriate respon!ent to his %or last
perfor"e! or at the option of the respon!ent b# pa#roll reinstate"ent.
Jou are also to collect the a"ount of P100,8*.5) representin$ his bac%a$es as
calle! for in the !ispositie portion, an! turn oer such a"ount to this Office for
proper !isposition.
Petitioner file! a "otion for reconsi!eration but the sa"e %as !enie!.
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'ence, the instant petition B for certiorari .
The issues raise! before us are the follo%in$7
I
?'&T'&R OR NOT PA>6IC R&SPOND&NT N6RC COMMITT&D GR(V&
(>AS& OF DISCR&TION IN 'O6DING T'(T PRIV(T& R&SPOND&NT ?(S
NOT (N (PPR&NTIC&.
II
?'&T'&R OR NOT PA>6IC R&SPOND&NT N6RC COMMITT&D GR(V&
(>AS& OF DISCR&TION IN 'O6DING T'(T P&TITION&R '(D NOT
(D&A(T&6J PROV&N T'& &IST&NC& OF ( V(6ID C(AS& IN
T&RMIN(TING T'& S&RVIC& OF PRIV(T& R&SPOND&NT.
?e fin! no "erit in the petition.
Petitioner assails the N6RC<s fin!in$ that priate respon!ent Roberto Capili cannot plainl# be
consi!ere! an apprentice since no apprenticeship pro$ra" ha! #et been file! an! approe! at
the ti"e the a$ree"ent %as eecute!.
Petitioner further insists that the "ere si$nin$ of the apprenticeship a$ree"ent alrea!#
establishe! an e"plo#erapprentice relationship.
Petitioner<s ar$u"ent is erroneous.
The la% is clear on this "atter. (rticle 81 of the 6abor Co!e proi!es7
Contents of apprenticeship a$ree"ent. B (pprenticeship a$ree"ents, inclu!in$
the "ain rates of apprentices, shall confor" to the rules issue! b# the Minister of
6abor an! &"plo#"ent. The perio! of apprenticeship shall not ecee! si
"onths. (pprenticeship a$ree"ents proi!in$ for %a$e rates belo% the le$al
"ini"u" %a$e, %hich in no case shall start belo% :)E per cent of the applicable
"ini"u" %a$e, "a# be entere! into onl# in accor!ance %ith apprenticeship
pro$ra" !ul# approe! b# the Minister of 6abor an! &"plo#"ent. The Ministr#
shall !eelop stan!ar! "o!el pro$ra"s of apprenticeship. 2e"phasis supplie!3
In the case at bench, the apprenticeship a$ree"ent bet%een petitioner an! priate respon!ent
%as eecute! on Ma# 05, 1** alle$e!l# e"plo#in$ the latter as an apprentice in the tra!e of
+care "aerK"ol!er.+ On the sa"e !ate, an apprenticeship pro$ra" %as prepare! b# petitioner
an! sub"itte! to the Depart"ent of 6abor an! &"plo#"ent. 'o%eer, the apprenticeship
($ree"ent %as file! onl# on ;une :, 1**. Not%ithstan!in$ the absence of approal b# the
Depart"ent of 6abor an! &"plo#"ent, the apprenticeship a$ree"ent %as enforce! the !a# it
%as si$ne!.
>ase! on the ei!ence before us, petitioner !i! not co"pl# %ith the re9uire"ents of the la%. It is
"an!ate! that apprenticeship a$ree"ents entere! into b# the e"plo#er an! apprentice shall be
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entere! onl# in accor!ance %ith the apprenticeship pro$ra" !ul# approe! b# the Minister of
6abor an! &"plo#"ent.
Prior approal b# the Depart"ent of 6abor an! &"plo#"ent of the propose! apprenticeship
pro$ra" is, therefore, a con!ition sine 'uo non before an apprenticeship a$ree"ent can be
ali!l# entere! into.
The act of filin$ the propose! apprenticeship pro$ra" %ith the Depart"ent of 6abor an!
&"plo#"ent is a preli"inar# step to%ar!s its final approal an! !oes not instantaneousl# $ie
rise to an e"plo#erapprentice relationship.
(rticle ): of the 6abor Co!e proi!es that the State ai"s to +establish a national apprenticeship
pro$ra" throu$h the participation of e"plo#ers, %orers an! $oern"ent an! non$oern"ent
a$encies+ an! +to establish apprenticeship stan!ar!s for the protection of apprentices.+ To
translate such ob-ecties into eistence, prior approal of the DO6& to an# apprenticeship
pro$ra" has to be secure! as a con!ition sine 'ua non before an# such apprenticeship
a$ree"ent can be full# enforce!. The role of the DO6& in apprenticeship pro$ra"s an!
a$ree"ents cannot be !ebase!.
'ence, since the apprenticeship a$ree"ent bet%een petitioner an! priate respon!ent has no
force an! effect in the absence of a ali! apprenticeship pro$ra" !ul# approe! b# the DO6&,
priate respon!ent<s assertion that he %as hire! not as an apprentice but as a !elier# bo#
2+ar$a!or+ or +pahinante+3 !eseres cre!ence. 'e shoul! ri$htl# be consi!ere! as a re$ular
e"plo#ee of petitioner as !efine! b# (rticle 05 of the 6abor Co!e7
(rt. 05. Re$ular an! Casual &"plo#"ent. B #/e pro!isions of written
agreement to t/e contrary notwit/standing and regardless of t/e oral agreementof t/e parties, an employment s/all e deemed to e regular w/ere t/e employee
/as een engaged to perform acti!ities w/ic/ are usually necessary or desirale
in t/e usual usiness or trade of t/e employer, ecept %here the e"plo#"ent has
been fie! for a specific pro-ect or un!ertain$ the co"pletion or ter"ination of
%hich has been !eter"ine! at the ti"e of the en$a$e"ent of the e"plo#ee or
%here the %or or serices to be perfor"e! is seasonal in nature an! the
e"plo#"ent is for the !uration of the season.
(n e"plo#"ent shall be !ee"e! to be casual if it is not coere! b# the prece!in$
para$raph70ro!ided , That, an# e"plo#ee %ho has ren!ere! at least one #ear of
serice, %hether such serice is continuous or broen, shall be consi!ere! are$ular e"plo#ee %ith respect to the actiit# in %hich he is e"plo#e! an! his
e"plo#"ent shall continue %hile such actiit# eists. 2&"phasis supplie!3
an! pursuant to the constitutional "an!ate to +protect the ri$hts of %orers an! pro"ote
their %elfare.+ 9
Petitioner further ar$ues that, there is a ali! cause for the !is"issal of priate respon!ent.
There is an abun!ance of cases %herein the Court rule! that the t%in re9uire"ents of !ue
process, substantie an! proce!ural, "ust be co"plie! %ith, before ali! !is"issal
eists. 10 ?ithout %hich, the !is"issal beco"es oi!.
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The t%in re9uire"ents of notice an! hearin$ constitute the essential ele"ents of !ue process.
This si"pl# "eans that the e"plo#er shall affor! the %orer a"ple opportunit# to be hear! an!
to !efen! hi"self %ith the assistance of his representatie, if he so !esires.
("ple opportunit# connotes eer# in! of assistance that "ana$e"ent "ust accor! the
e"plo#ee to enable hi" to prepare a!e9uatel# for his !efense inclu!in$ le$al representation. 11
(s hel! in the case of 0epsi+ola )ottling +o., Inc. !. -L1+ 7 1
The la% re9uires that the e"plo#er "ust furnish the %orer sou$ht to be
!is"isse! %ith t%o 203 %ritten notices before ter"ination of e"plo#ee can be
le$all# effecte!7 213 notice %hich apprises the e"plo#ee of the particular acts or
o"issions for %hich his !is"issal is sou$ht4 an! 203 the subse9uent notice %hich
infor"s the e"plo#ee of the e"plo#er<s !ecision to !is"iss hi" 2Sec. 1/, >P 1/4
Sec. 08 Rule IV, >oo V, Rules an! Re$ulations I"ple"entin$ the 6abor Co!e
as a"en!e!3. Failure to co"pl# %ith the re9uire"ents taints the !is"issal %ith
ille$alit#. This proce!ure is "an!ator#, in the absence of %hich, an# -u!$"ent
reache! b# "ana$e"ent is oi! an! in eistent 2Tin$son, ;r. s. N6RC, 15)
SCR( =*5 H1**4 National Serice Corp. s. N6RC, 185 SCR( 1004 Ruff# s.
N6RC. 150 SCR( /8) H1**3.
The fact is priate respon!ent file! a case of ille$al !is"issal %ith the 6abor (rbiter onl# three
!a#s after he %as "a!e to si$n a uitclai", a clear in!ication that such resi$nation %as not
oluntar# an! !eliberate.
Priate respon!ent aerre! that he %as actuall# e"plo#e! b# petitioner as a !elier# bo#
2+ar$a!or+ or +pahinante+3.
'e further asserte! that petitioner +stron$ar"e!+ hi" into si$nin$ the afore"entione!
resi$nation letter an! 9uitclai" %ithout eplainin$ to hi" the contents thereof. Petitioner "a!e it
clear to hi" that an#%a#, he !i! not hae a choice. 13
Petitioner cannot !is$uise the su""ar# !is"issal of priate respon!ent b# orchestratin$ the
latter<s alle$e! resi$nation an! subse9uent eecution of a uitclai" an! Release. ( -u!icious
ea"ination of both eents belies an# spontaneit# on priate respon!ent<s part.
?'&R&FOR&, fin!in$ no abuse of !iscretion co""itte! b# public respon!ent National 6abor
Relations Co""ission, the appeale! !ecision is hereb# (FFIRM&D.
SO ORD&R&D.
0adilla, Da!ide, (r., )ellosillo and 2ermosisima, (r., ((., concur.
oot"ote+
1 1ollo, pp. 101).
0 Recor!s, p 10.
/ Id ., at 1/.
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= Id ., at 1=.
) Id ., at .=:=5.
8 Id ., p. =:.
: 1ollo, pp. 1=1).
5 Iid .
* Sec. 15, (rt. II, The 1*5: Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
1 Centur# Tetile Mills, Inc. . N6RC, 181 SCR( )05 21*5534 Gol! Cit#
Inte$rate! Port Serices, Inc. . N6RC, 15* SCR( 511 21**34 L%i%a#
&n$ineerin$ ?ors . N6RC, 1*) SCR( )08 21**13.
11 (biera . National 6abor Relations Co""ission, 01) SCR( =:8
21**03.
10 01 SCR( 0:: 21**03.
1/ Ori$inal Recor!, p. /*.
C(S& /
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
T'IRD DIVISION
G.R. No. /11 A565+t 1, 199
ILAMER CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE, petitioner,
s.
HON. INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, HON. ENRI&UE P. SUPLICO, )" 7)+ (!p!()t8 !+
5#6e o: t7e Re6)o"!; Tr)!; Co5rt, %r!"(7 <I=, Ro>!+ C)t8 !"# POTENCIANO APUNAN,
SR., respon!ents.
)edona & )edona Law Office for petitioner.
1/odora $. 3apunan for pri!ate respondents.
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GUTIERRE-, R., J.:
The priate respon!ents, heirs of the late Potenciano Lapunan, see reconsi!eration of the
!ecision ren!ere! b# this Court on October 18, 1** 2Fila"er Christian Institute . Court of
(ppeals, 1* SCR( =::3 reie%in$ the appellate court<s conclusion that there eists an
e"plo#ere"plo#ee relationship bet%een the petitioner an! its co!efen!ant Funtecha. TheCourt rule! that the petitioner is not liable for the in-uries cause! b# Funtecha on the $roun!s
that the latter %as not an authori@e! !rier for %hose acts the petitioner shall be !irectl# an!
pri"aril# ans%erable, an! that Funtecha %as "erel# a %orin$ scholar %ho, un!er Section 1=,
Rule , >oo III of the Rules an! Re$ulations I"ple"entin$ the 6abor Co!e is not consi!ere! an
e"plo#ee of the petitioner.
The priate respon!ents assert that the circu"stances obtainin$ in the present case call for the
application of (rticle 015 of the Ciil Co!e since Funtecha is no !oubt an e"plo#ee of the
petitioner. The priate respon!ents "aintain that un!er (rticle 015 an in-ure! part# shall hae
recourse a$ainst the serant as %ell as the petitioner for %ho", at the ti"e of the inci!ent, the
serant %as perfor"in$ an act in furtherance of the interest an! for the benefit of the petitioner.
Funtecha alle$e!l# !i! not steal the school -eep nor use it for a -o# ri!e %ithout the no%le!$e of
the school authorities.
(fter a reea"ination of the la%s releant to the facts foun! b# the trial court an! the appellate
court, the Court reconsi!ers its !ecision. ?e reinstate the Court of (ppeals< !ecision penne! b#
the late ;ustice Desi!erio ;ura!o an! concurre! in b# ;ustices ;ose C. Ca"pos, ;r. an! Serafin
&. Ca"ilon. (ppl#in$ Ciil Co!e proisions, the appellate court affir"e! the trial court !ecision
%hich or!ere! the pa#"ent of the P0,. liabilit# in the enith Insurance Corporation polic#,
P1,. "oral !a"a$es, P=,. liti$ation an! actual epenses, an! P/,. attorne#<s
fees.
It is un!ispute! that Funtecha %as a %orin$ stu!ent, bein$ a partti"e -anitor an! a scholar of
petitioner Fila"er. 'e %as, in relation to the school, an e"plo#ee een if he %as assi$ne! to
clean the school pre"ises for onl# t%o 203 hours in the "ornin$ of each school !a#.
'ain$ a stu!ent !rier<s license, Funtecha re9ueste! the !rier, (llan Masa, an! %as allo%e!,
to tae oer the ehicle %hile the latter %as on his %a# ho"e one late afternoon. It is si$nificant
to note that the place %here (llan lies is also the house of his father, the school presi!ent,
($ustin Masa. Moreoer, it is also the house %here Funtecha %as allo%e! free boar! %hile he
%as a stu!ent of Fila"er Christian Institute.
(llan Masa turne! oer the ehicle to Funtecha onl# after !riin$ !o%n a roa!, ne$otiatin$ a
sharp !an$erous curb, an! ie%in$ that the roa! %as clear. 2TSN, (pril =, 1*5/, pp. :5:*3
(ccor!in$ to (llan<s testi"on#, a fast "oin$ truc %ith $larin$ li$hts nearl# hit the" so that the#
ha! to s%ere to the ri$ht to aoi! a collision. Apon s%erin$, the# hear! a soun! as if
so"ethin$ ha! bu"pe! a$ainst the ehicle, but the# !i! not stop to chec. (ctuall#, the Pino#
-eep s%ere! to%ar!s the pe!estrian, Potenciano Lapunan %ho %as %alin$ in his lane in the
!irection a$ainst ehicular traffic, an! hit hi". (llan affir"e! that Funtecha follo%e! his a!ise to
s%ere to the ri$ht. 2Iid ., p. :*3 (t the ti"e of the inci!ent 287/ P.M.3 in Roas Cit#, the -eep ha!
onl# one functionin$ hea!li$ht.
(llan testifie! that he %as the !rier an! at the sa"e ti"e a securit# $uar! of the petitioner
school. 'e further sai! that there %as no specific ti"e for hi" to be off!ut# an! that after !riin$
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the stu!ents ho"e at )7 in the afternoon, he still ha! to $o bac to school an! then !rie ho"e
usin$ the sa"e ehicle.
Driin$ the ehicle to an! fro" the house of the school presi!ent %here both (llan an! Funtecha
resi!e is an act in furtherance of the interest of the petitionerschool. (llan<s -ob !e"an!s that he
!rie ho"e the school -eep so he can use it to fetch stu!ents in the "ornin$ of the net school!a#.
It is in!ubitable un!er the circu"stances that the school presi!ent ha! no%le!$e that the -eep
%as routinel# !rien ho"e for the sai! purpose. Moreoer, it is not i"probable that the school
presi!ent also ha! no%le!$e of Funtecha<s possession of a stu!ent !rier<s license an! his
!esire to un!er$o !riin$ lessons !urin$ the ti"e that he %as not in his classroo"s.
In learnin$ ho% to !rie %hile tain$ the ehicle ho"e in the !irection of (llan<s house, Funtecha
!efinitel# %as not hain$ a -o# ri!e. Funtecha %as not !riin$ for the purpose of his en-o#"ent or
for a +frolic of his o%n+ but ulti"atel#, for the serice for %hich the -eep %as inten!e! b# the
petitioner school. 2See 6. >attistoni . Tho"as, Can SC 1==, 1 D.6.R. )::, 5 (6R :00 H1*/04
See also (ssociation of >aptists for ?orl! &an$elis", Inc. . Fiel!"en<s Insurance Co., Inc. 10=
SCR( 815 H1*5/3. Therefore, the Court is constraine! to conclu!e that the act of Funtecha in
tain$ oer the steerin$ %heel %as one !one for an! in behalf of his e"plo#er for %hich act the
petitionerschool cannot !en# an# responsibilit# b# ar$uin$ that it %as !one be#on! the scope of
his -anitorial !uties. The clause +%ithin the scope of their assi$ne! tass+ for purposes of raisin$
the presu"ption of liabilit# of an e"plo#er, inclu!es an# act !one b# an e"plo#ee, in furtherance
of the interests of the e"plo#er or for the account of the e"plo#er at the ti"e of the infliction of
the in-ur# or !a"a$e. 2Manuel Casa!a, 1* Va *8, )* S& 0! =: H1*)3 &en if so"eho%, the
e"plo#ee !riin$ the ehicle !erie! so"e benefit fro" the act, the eistence of a presu"ptie
liabilit# of the e"plo#er is !eter"ine! b# ans%erin$ the 9uestion of %hether or not the serant%as at the ti"e of the acci!ent perfor"in$ an# act in furtherance of his "aster<s business.
2Lohl"an . '#lan!, 01 N? 8=/, ) (6R 1=/: H1*084 ;a"eson . Gaett, :1 P 0! */: H1*/:3
Section 1=, Rule , >oo III of the Rules i"ple"entin$ the 6abor Co!e, on %hich the petitioner
anchors its !efense, %as pro"ul$ate! b# the Secretar# of 6abor an! &"plo#"ent onl# for the
purpose of a!"inisterin$ an! enforcin$ the proisions of the 6abor Co!e on con!itions of
e"plo#"ent. Particularl#, Rule of >oo III proi!es $ui!elines on the "anner b# %hich the
po%ers of the 6abor Secretar# shall be eercise!4 on %hat recor!s shoul! be ept4 "aintaine!
an! presere!4 on pa#roll4 an! on the eclusion of %orin$ scholars fro", an! inclusion of
resi!ent ph#sicians in the e"plo#"ent coera$e as far as co"pliance %ith the substantie labor
proisions on %orin$ con!itions, rest perio!s, an! %a$es, is concerne!.
In other %or!s, Rule is "erel# a $ui!e to the enforce"ent of the substantie la% on labor. The
Court, thus, "aes the !istinction an! so hol!s that Section 1=, Rule , >oo III of the Rules is
not the !ecisie la% in a ciil suit for !a"a$es institute! b# an in-ure! person !urin$ a ehicular
acci!ent a$ainst a %orin$ stu!ent of a school an! a$ainst the school itself.
The present case !oes not !eal %ith a labor !ispute on con!itions of e"plo#"ent bet%een an
alle$e! e"plo#ee an! an alle$e! e"plo#er. It inoes a clai" brou$ht b# one for !a"a$es for
in-ur# cause! b# the patentl# ne$li$ent acts of a person, a$ainst both !oere"plo#ee an! his
e"plo#er. 'ence, the reliance on the i"ple"entin$ rule on labor to !isre$ar! the pri"ar# liabilit#
of an e"plo#er un!er (rticle 015 of the Ciil Co!e is "isplace!. (n i"ple"entin$ rule on labor
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cannot be use! b# an e"plo#er as a shiel! to aoi! liabilit# un!er the substantie proisions of
the Ciil Co!e.
There is ei!ence to sho% that there eists in the present case an etracontractual obli$ation
arisin$ fro" the ne$li$ence or recless i"pru!ence of a person +%hose acts or o"issions are
i"putable, b# a le$al fiction, to other2s3 %ho are in a position to eercise an absolute or li"ite!control oer 2hi"3.+ 2>ahia . 6iton-ua an! 6e#nes, / Phil. 80= H1*1)3
Funtecha is an e"plo#ee of petitioner Fila"er. 'e nee! not hae an official appoint"ent for a
!rier<s position in or!er that the petitioner "a# be hel! responsible for his $rossl# ne$li$ent act,
it bein$ sufficient that the act of !riin$ at the ti"e of the inci!ent %as for the benefit of the
petitioner. 'ence, the fact that Funtecha %as not the school !rier or %as not actin$ %ithin the
scope of his -anitorial !uties !oes not reliee the petitioner of the bur!en of rebuttin$ the
presu"ption 4uris tantum that there %as ne$li$ence on its part either in the selection of a serant
or e"plo#ee, or in the superision oer hi". The petitioner has faile! to sho% proof of its hain$
eercise! the re9uire! !ili$ence of a $oo! father of a fa"il# oer its e"plo#ees Funtecha an!
(llan.
The Court reiterates that superision inclu!es the for"ulation of suitable rules an! re$ulations for
the $ui!ance of its e"plo#ees an! the issuance of proper instructions inten!e! for the protection
of the public an! persons %ith %ho" the e"plo#er has relations throu$h his e"plo#ees. 2>ahia .
6iton-ua an! 6e#nes, supra, at p. 8054 Phoeni Construction, . Inter"e!iate (ppellate Court, 1=5
SCR( /)/ H1*5:3
(n e"plo#er is epecte! to i"pose upon its e"plo#ees the necessar# !iscipline calle! for in the
perfor"ance of an# act in!ispensable to the business an! beneficial to their e"plo#er.
In the present case, the petitioner has not sho%n that it has set forth such rules an! $ui!elines as
%oul! prohibit an# one of its e"plo#ees fro" tain$ control oer its ehicles if one is not the
official !rier or prohibitin$ the !rier an! son of the Fila"er presi!ent fro" authori@in$ another
e"plo#ee to !rie the school ehicle. Further"ore, the petitioner has faile! to proe that it ha!
i"pose! sanctions or %arne! its e"plo#ees a$ainst the use of its ehicles b# persons other than
the !rier.
The petitioner, thus, has an obli$ation to pa# !a"a$es for in-ur# arisin$ fro" the unsille!
"anner b# %hich Funtecha !roe the ehicle. 2Can$co . Manila Railroa! Co., /5 Phil. :85, ::0
H1*153. In the absence of ei!ence that the petitioner ha! eercise! the !ili$ence of a $oo!
father of a fa"il# in the superision of its e"plo#ees, the la% i"poses upon it the icariousliabilit# for acts or o"issions of its e"plo#ees. 2A"ali . >acani, 8* SCR( 08/ H1*:84 Poblete .
Fabros, */ SCR( 0 H1*:*4 Lapalaran >us 6iner . Corona!o, 1:8 SCR( :*0 H1*5*4 Franco .
Inter"e!iate (ppellate Court, 1:5 SCR( //1 H1*5*4 Pantranco North &press, Inc. . >aesa,
1:* SCR( /5= H1*5*3 The liabilit# of the e"plo#er is, un!er (rticle 015, pri"ar# an! soli!ar#.
'o%eer, the e"plo#er shall hae recourse a$ainst the ne$li$ent e"plo#ee for %hateer
!a"a$es are pai! to the heirs of the plaintiff.
It is an a!"itte! fact that the actual !rier of the school -eep, (llan Masa, %as not "a!e a part#
!efen!ant in the ciil case for !a"a$es. This is 9uite un!erstan!able consi!erin$ that as far as
the in-ure! pe!estrian, plaintiff Potenciano Lapunan, %as concerne!, it %as Funtecha %ho %as
the one !riin$ the ehicle an! presu"abl# %as one authori@e! b# the school to !rie. The
plaintiff an! his heirs shoul! not no% be left to suffer %ithout si"ultaneous recourse a$ainst the
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petitioner for the conse9uent in-ur# cause! b# a -anitor !oin$ a !riin$ chore for the petitioner
een for a short %hile. For the purpose of recoerin$ !a"a$es un!er the preailin$
circu"stances, it is enou$h that the plaintiff an! the priate respon!ent heirs %ere able to
establish the eistence of e"plo#ere"plo#ee relationship bet%een Funtecha an! petitioner
Fila"er an! the fact that Funtecha %as en$a$e! in an act not for an in!epen!ent purpose of his
o%n but in furtherance of the business of his e"plo#er. ( position of responsibilit# on the part ofthe petitioner has thus been satisfactoril# !e"onstrate!.
?'&R&FOR&, the "otion for reconsi!eration of the !ecision !ate! October 18, 1** is hereb#
GR(NT&D. The !ecision of the respon!ent appellate court affir"in$ the trial court !ecision is
R&INST(T&D.
SO ORD&R&D.
Feliciano, )idin, Da!ide, (r. and 1omero, ((., concur.
+ase no. 5
THIRD DIVISION
[G.R. No. 122917. July 12, 1999]
MARITES BERNARDO, ELVIRA GO DIAMANTE, REBECCA E.
DAVID, DAVID P. PASCUAL, RAUEL ESTILLER, ALBERT
!ALLARE, EDMUND M. CORTE", JOSELITO O. AGDON
GEORGE P. LIGUTAN JR., CELSO M. #A"AR, ALE$ G.
CORPU", RONALD M. DEL%IN, RO&ENA M. TABAUERO,
CORA"ON C. DELOS RE#ES, ROBERT G. NOORA, MILAGROS
O. LEUIGAN, ADRIANA %. TATLONG!ARI, I'ECABANDUCOS, COCO# NOBELLO, DORENDA
CANTIMBU!AN, ROBERT MARCELO, LILIBET! .
MARMOLEJO, JOSE E. SALES, ISABEL MAMAUAG, VIOLETA
G. MONTES, ALBINO TECSON, MELOD# V. GRUELA,
BERNADET! D. AGERO, C#NT!IA DE VERA, LANI R.
CORTE", MA. ISABEL B. CONCEPCION, DINDO VALERIO,
"ENAIDA MATA, ARIEL DEL PILAR, MARGARET CECILIA
CANO"A, T!ELMA SEBASTIAN, MA. JEANETTE CERVANTES,
JEANNIE RAMIL, RO"AIDA PASCUAL, PIN'# BALOLOA,
ELI"ABET! VENTURA, GRACE S. PARDO ( RICO
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TIMOSA, petitionersvs. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS
COMMISSION ( %AR EAST BAN' AND TRUST
COMPAN#, respondents.
D E C I S I O NPANGANIBAN, J.:
The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons mandates that qualified disabled persons be
granted the same terms and onditions of emplo!ment as qualified able"bodied
emplo!ees# One the! ha$e attained the status of regular %or&ers' the! should be aorded all
the benefits granted b! la%' not%ithstanding %ritten or $erbal ontrats to the ontrar!# This
treatment is rooted not merel! on harit! or aommodation' but on (ustie for all#
T)* C+*
Challenged in the Petition for Certiorari)*+ before us is the ,une -.' *//0 Deision)-+ of
the National 1abor Relations Commission 2N1RC3' )4+ %hih affirmed the 5ugust' -- *//6
ruling of 1abor 5rbiter Cornelio 1# 1insangan# The labor arbiters Deision disposed as
follo%s7)6+
8H9R9:OR9' (udgment is hereb! rendered dismissing the abo$e"mentionedomplaint for la& of merit#
5lso assailed is the 5ugust 6' *//0 Resolution )0+ of the N1RC' %hih denied the Motion for
Reonsideration#
T)* %+-
The fats %ere summari;ed b! the N1RC in this %ise7 )<+
Complainants numbering 64 2p# *=<' Reords3 are deaf"mutes %ho %ere hired on
$arious periods from */>> to *//4 b! respondent :ar 9ast ?an& and Trust Co# as
Mone! Sorters and Counters through a uniforml! %orded agreement alled9mplo!ment Contrat for Handiapped 8or&ers# 2pp# <> @ </' Reords3 The fullteAt of said agreement is quoted belo%7
9MP1OBM9NT CONTR5CT :OR H5NDIC5PP9D 8OR9RS
This Contrat' entered into b! and bet%een7
:5R 95ST ?5N 5ND TRST COMP5NB' a uni$ersal ban&ing orporationdul! organi;ed and eAisting under and b! $irtue of the la%s of the Philippines' %ith
business address at :9?TC ?uilding' Muralla' Intramuros' Manila' represented
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herein b! its 5ssistant Vie President' MR# :1OR9NDO E# M5R5N5N'2hereinafter referred to as the ?5N3F
" and "
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG' GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG !ears old' of legal age' GGGGGGGGGGGGG'
and residing at GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG 2hereinafter referred to as the29MP1OB993#
8ITN9SS9TH7 That
8H9R95S' the ?5N' ogni;ant of its soial responsibilit!' reali;es that there isa need to pro$ide disabled and handiapped persons gainful emplo!ment and
opportunities to reali;e their potentials' uplift their soio"eonomi %ell being and
%elfare and ma&e them produti$e' self"reliant and useful iti;ens to enable themto full! integrate in the mainstream of soiet!F
8H9R95S' there are ertain positions in the ?5N %hih ma! be filled"up b!
disabled and handiapped persons' partiularl! deaf"mutes' and the ?5N ha)s+ been approahed b! some i$i"minded iti;ens and authori;ed go$ernment
agenies )regarding+ the possibilit! of hiring handiapped %or&ers for these positionsF
8H9R95S' the 9MP1OB99 is one of those handiapped %or&ers %ho )%ere+
reommended for possible emplo!ment %ith the ?5NF
NO8' TH9R9:OR9' for and in onsideration of the foregoing premises and inompliane %ith 5rtile >. of the 1abor Code of the Philippines as amended' the
?5N and the 9MP1OB99 ha$e entered into this 9mplo!ment Contrat asfollo%s7
*# The ?5N agrees to emplo! and train the 9MP1OB99' and the 9MP1OB99agrees to diligentl! and faithfull! %or& %ith the ?5N'
as Mone! Sorter and Counter#
-# The 9MP1OB99 shall perform among others' the follo%ing duties and
responsibilities7
i Sort out bills aording to olorF
ii# Count eah denomination per hundred' either manuall! or %ith the aid of a
ounting mahineF
iii# 8rap and label bills per hundredF
i$# Put the %rapped bills into bundlesF and
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$# Submit bundled bills to the ban& teller for $erifiation#
4# The 9MP1OB99 shall undergo a training period of one 2*3 month' after %hih
the ?5N shall determine %hether or not heshe should be allo%ed to finish theremaining term of this Contrat#
6# The 9MP1OB99 shall be entitled to an initial ompensation of P**>#.. per da!'sub(et to ad(ustment in the sole (udgment of the ?5N' pa!able e$er! *0 th and
end of the month#
0# The regular %or& shedule of the 9MP1OB99 shall be fi$e 203 da!s per %ee&'
from Monda!s thru :rida!s' at eight 2>3 hours a da!# The 9MP1OB99 ma! berequired to perform o$ertime %or& as irumstane ma! %arrant' for %hih
o$ertime %or& heshe )shall+ be paid an additional ompensation of *-0 of his
dail! rate if performed during ordinar! da!s and *4. if performed duringSaturda! or )a+ rest da!#
<# The 9MP1OB99 shall li&e%ise be entitled to the follo%ing benefits7
i# Proportionate *4th month pa! based on his basi dail! %age#
ii# :i$e 203 da!s inenti$e lea$e#
iii# SSS premium pa!ment#
=# The 9MP1OB99 binds himselfherself to abide )b!+ and ompl! %ith all the?5N Rules and Regulations and Poliies' and to ondut himselfherself in a
manner eApeted of all emplo!ees of the ?5N#
># The 9MP1OB99 a&no%ledges the fat that heshe had been emplo!ed under a
speial emplo!ment program of the ?5N' for %hih reason the standard hiringrequirements of the ?5N %ere not applied in hisher ase# Consequentl!' the
9MP1OB99 a&no%ledges and aepts the fat that the terms and onditions ofthe emplo!ment generall! obser$ed b! the ?5N %ith respet to the ?5Ns
regular emplo!ee are not appliable to the 9MP1OB99' and that therefore' theterms and onditions of the 9MP1OB99s emplo!ment %ith the ?5N shall be
go$erned solel! and eAlusi$el! b! this Contrat and b! the appliable rules andregulations that the Department of 1abor and 9mplo!ment ma! issue in onnetion
%ith the emplo!ment of disabled and handiapped %or&ers# More speifiall!' the9MP1OB99 hereb! a&no%ledges that the pro$isions of ?oo& SiA of the 1abor
Code of the Philippines as amended' partiularl! on regulation of emplo!ment andseparation pa! are not appliable to himher#
/# The 9mplo!ment Contrat shall be for a period of siA 2<3 months or from GGGG
to GGGG unless earlier terminated b! the ?5N for an! (ust or reasonable
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ause# 5n! ontinuation or eAtension of this Contrat shall be in %riting andtherefore this Contrat %ill automatiall! eApire at the end of its terms unless
rene%ed in %riting b! the ?5N#
IN 8ITN9SS 8H9R9O:' the parties' ha$e hereunto affiAed their signature)s+ this
GGGG da! of GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG' GGGGGGGGGGGG at Intramuros' Manila'Philippines#
In */>>' t%o 2-3 deaf"mutes %ere hired under this 5greementF in */>/ another t%o2-3F in *//.' nineteen 2*/3F in *//* siA 2<3F in *//-' siA 2<3 and in *//4' t%ent!"
one 2-*3# Their emplo!ment)s+ %ere rene%ed e$er! siA months suh that b! thetime this ase arose' there %ere fift!"siA 20<3 deaf"mutes %ho %ere emplo!ed b!
respondent under the said emplo!ment agreement# The last one %as ThelmaMalindo! %ho %as emplo!ed in *//- and %hose ontrat eApired on ,ul! *//4#
A A A A A A A A A
Dislaiming that omplainants %ere regular emplo!ees' respondent :ar 9ast ?an&and Trust Compan! maintained that omplainants %ho are a speial lass of
%or&ers the hearing impaired emplo!ees %ere hired temporaril! under )a+ speialemplo!ment arrangement %hih %as a result of o$ertures made b! some i$i and
politial personalities to the respondent ?an&F that omplainant)s+ %ere hired dueto pa&iusap %hih must be onsidered in the light of the onteAt of the respondent?an&s orporate philosoph! as %ell as its areer and %or&ing en$ironment %hih
is to maintain and strengthen a orps of professionals trained and qualified offiersand regular emplo!ees %ho are baalaureate degree holders from eAellent
shools %hih is an unbending poli! in the hiring of regular emplo!eesF that inaddition to this' training ontinues so that the regular emplo!ee gro%s in the
orporate ladderF that the idea of hiring handiapped %or&ers %as aeptable tothem onl! on a speial arrangement basisF that it adopted the speial program to
help tide o$er a group of handiapped %or&ers suh as deaf"mutes li&e theomplainants %ho ould do manual %or& for the respondent ?an&F that the tas& of
ounting and sorting of bills %hih %as being performed b! tellers ould beassigned to deaf"mutesF that the ounting and sorting of mone! are tellering %or&s
%hih %ere al%a!s logiall! and naturall! part and parel of the tellers normalfuntionsF that from the beginning there ha$e been no separate items in the
respondent ?an& plantilla for sorters or ountersF that the tellers themsel$es alread!did the sorting and ounting hore as a regular feature and integral part of their
duties 2p# /=' Reords3F that through the pa&iusap of 5rturo ?or(al' the tellers %ererelie$ed of this tas& of ounting and sorting bills in fa$or of deaf"mutes %ithout
reating ne% positions as there is no position either in the respondent or in an!other ban& in the Philippines %hih deals %ith purel! ounting and sorting of bills
in ban&ing operations#
Petitioners speified %hen eah of them %as hired and dismissed' $i;7 )=+
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NAME O% PETITIONER &OR'PLACE D+* !/0* D+* D//*
*# M5RIT9S ?9RN5RDO Intramuros *- NOV /. *= NOV /4
-# 91VIR5 EO DI5M5NT9 Intramuros -6 ,5N /. ** ,5N /6
4# R9?9CC5 9# D5VID Intramuros *< 5PR /. -4 OCT /4
6# D5VID P# P5SC51 ?el"5ir *0 OCT >> -* NOV /6
0# R5J91 9STI119R Intramuros - ,1 /- 6 ,5N /6
<# 51?9RT H5115R9 8est 6 ,5N /* / ,5N /6
=# 9DMND M# CORT9K ?el"5ir *0 ,5N /* 4 D9C /4
># ,OS91ITO O# 5EDON Intramuros 0 NOV /. *= NOV /4
/# E9ORE9 P# 1IET5N' ,R# Intramuros < S9PT >/ */ ,5N /6
*.# C91SO M# B5K5R Intramuros > :9? /4 > 5E /4
**# 519L E# CORPK Intramuros *0 :9? /4 *0 5E /4
*-# RON51D M# D91:IN Intramuros -- :9? /4 -- 5E /4
*4# RO89N5 M# T5?5J9RO Intramuros -- :9? /4 -- 5E /4
*6# COR5KON C# D91OS R9B9S Intramuros > :9? /4 > 5E /4
*0# RO?9RT E# NOOR5 Intramuros *0 :9? /4 *0 5E /4
*<# MI15EROS O# 19JIE5N Intramuros * :9? /4 * 5E /4
*=# 5DRI5N5 :# T5T1ONEH5RI Intramuros -- ,5N /4 -- ,1 /4
*># I9 C5?5NDCOS Intramuros -6 :9? /4 -6 5E /4
*/# COCOB NO?911O Intramuros -- :9? /4 -- 5E /4
-.# DOR9ND5 C5TIM?H5N Intramuros *0 :9? /4 *0 5E /4
-*# RO?9RT M5RC91O 8est 4* ,1 /4)>+ * 5E /4
--# 1I1I?9TH J# M5RMO19,O 8est *0 ,N /. -* NOV /4
-4# ,OS9 9# S519S 8est < 5E /- *- OCT /4
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-6# IS5?91 M5M55E 8est > M5B /- *. NOV /4
-0# VIO19T5 E# MONT9S Intramuros - :9? /. *0 ,5N /6
-<# 51?INO T9CSON Intramuros = NOV /* *. NOV /4
-=# M91ODB V# ER915 8est -> OCT /* 4 NOV /4
-># ?9RN5D9TH D# 5E9RO 8est */ D9C /. -= D9C /4
-/# CBNTHI5 D9 V9R5 ?el"5ir -< ,N /. 4 D9C /4
4.# 15NI R# CORT9K ?el"5ir *0 OCT >> *. D9C /4
4*# M5# IS5?91 ?# CONC9PCION 8est < S9PT /. < :9? /6
4-# DINDO V519RIO Intramuros 4. M5B /4 4. NOV /4
44# K9N5ID5 M5T5 Intramuros *. :9? /4 *. 5E /4
46# 5RI91 D91 PI15R Intramuros -6 :9? /4 -6 5E /4
40# M5RE5R9T C9CI1I5 C5NOK5 Intramuros -= ,1 /. 6 :9? /6
4<# TH91M5 S9?5STI5N Intramuros *- NOV /. *= NOV /4
4=# M5# ,95N9TT9 C9RV5NT9S 8est < ,N /- = D9C /4
4># ,95NNI9 R5MI1 Intramuros -4 5PR /. *- OCT /4
4/# ROK5ID5 P5SC51 ?el"5ir -. 5PR >/ -/ OCT /4
6.# PINB ?51O1O5 8est 4 ,N /* - D9C /4
6*# 91IK5?9TH V9NTR5 8est *- M5R /. :9? /6 )SIC+
6-# ER5C9 S# P5RDO 8est 6 5PR /. *4 M5R /6
64# RICO TIMOS5 Intramuros -> 5PR /4 -> OCT /4
5s earlier noted' the labor arbiter and' on appeal' the N1RC ruled against herein
petitioners# Hene' this reourse to this Court#)/+
T)* Rul/34 o5 )* NLRC
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In affirming the ruling of the labor arbiter that herein petitioners ould not be deemed
regular emplo!ees under 5rtile ->. of the 1abor Code' as amended' Respondent
Commission ratioinated as follo%s7
8e agree that 5rt# ->. is not ontrolling herein# 8e gi$e due redene to the
onlusion that omplainants %ere hired as an aommodation to )the+reommendation of i$i oriented personalities %hose emplo!ment)s+ %ereo$ered b! AAA 9mplo!ment Contrat)s+ %ith speial pro$isions on duration of
ontrat as speified under 5rt# >.# Hene' as orretl! held b! the 1abor 5rbiter aquo' the terms of the ontrat shall be the la% bet%een the parties# )*.+
The N1RC also delared that the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons %as not appliable'
onsidering the pre$ailing irumstanesmilieu of the ase#
Iu*
In their Memorandum' petitioners ite the follo%ing grounds in support of their ause7
I# The Honorable Commission ommitted gra$e abuse of disretion in holding that
the petitioners " mone! sorters and ounters %or&ing in a ban& " %ere not regularemplo!ees#
II# The Honorable Commission ommitted gra$e abuse of disretion in holding thatthe emplo!ment ontrats signed and rene%ed b! the petitioners " %hih pro$ide
for a period of siA 2<3 months " %ere $alid#
III# The Honorable Commission ommitted gra$e abuse of disretion in not
appl!ing the pro$isions of the Magna Carta for the Disabled 2Republi 5t No#=-==3' on prosription against disrimination against disabled persons# )**+
In the main' the Court %ill resol$e %hether petitioners ha$e beome regular emplo!ees#
T)/ Cou0 Rul/34
The petition is meritorious# Ho%e$er' onl! the emplo!ees' %ho %or&ed for more than siA
months and %hose ontrats %ere rene%ed are deemed regular# Hene' their dismissal from
emplo!ment %as illegal#
P0*l//3+0y M+*06 Propriety of Certiorari
Respondent :ar 9ast ?an& and Trust Compan! argues that a re$ie% of the findings of
fats of the N1RC is not allo%ed in a petition for ertiorari# Speifiall!' it maintains that the
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Court annot pass upon the findings of publi respondents that petitioners %ere not regular
emplo!ees#
True' the Court' as a rule' does not re$ie% the fatual findings of publi respondents in
a certiorari proeeding# In resol$ing %hether the petitioners ha$e beome regular emplo!ees'
%e shall not hange the fats found b! the publi respondent# Our tas& is merel! to determine
%hether the N1RC ommitted gra$e abuse of disretion in appl!ing the la% to the established
fats' as abo$e"quoted from the assailed Deision#
M+/3 Iu*6 Are Petitioners Regular Employees?
Petitioners maintain that the! should be onsidered regular emplo!ees' beause their tas&
as mone! sorters and ounters %as neessar! and desirable to the business of respondent
ban&# The! further allege that their ontrats ser$ed merel! to prelude the appliation of
5rtile ->. and to bar them from beoming regular emplo!ees#
Pri$ate respondent' on the other hand' submits that petitioners %ere hired onl! as speial
%or&ers and should not in an! %a! be onsidered as part of the regular omplement of the
?an&#)*-+ Rather' the! %ere speial %or&ers under 5rtile >. of the 1abor Code# Pri$ate
respondent ontends that it ne$er soliited the ser$ies of petitioners' %hose emplo!ment %as
merel! an aommodation in response to the requests of go$ernment offiials and i$i"
minded iti;ens# The! %ere told from the start' %ith the assistane of go$ernment
representati$es' that the! ould not beome regular emplo!ees beause there %ere no plantilla
positions for mone! sorters' %hose tas& used to be performed b! tellers# Their ontrats %ere
rene%ed se$eral times' not beause of need but merel! for humanitarian reasons# Respondent
submits that as of the present' the speial position that %as reated for the petitioners no
longer eAist)s+ in pri$ate respondent )ban&+' after the latter had deided not to rene% an!moretheir speial emplo!ment ontrats#
5t the outset' let it be &no%n that this Court appreiates the nobilit! of pri$ate
respondents effort to pro$ide emplo!ment to ph!siall! impaired indi$iduals and to ma&e
them more produti$e members of soiet!# Ho%e$er' %e annot allo% it to elude the legal
onsequenes of that effort' simpl! beause it no% deems their emplo!ment irrele$ant# The
fats' $ie%ed in light of the 1abor Code and the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons'
indubitabl! sho% that the petitioners' eAept siAteen of them' should be deemed regular
emplo!ees# 5s suh' the! ha$e aquired legal rights that this Court is dut!"bound to protet
and uphold' not as a matter of ompassion but as a onsequene of la% and (ustie#
The uniform emplo!ment ontrats of the petitioners stipulated that the! shall be trained
for a period of one month' after %hih the emplo!er shall determine %hether or not the!
should be allo%ed to finish the <"month term of the ontrat# :urthermore' the emplo!er ma!
terminate the ontrat at an! time for a (ust and reasonable ause# nless rene%ed in %riting
b! the emplo!er' the ontrat shall automatiall! eApire at the end of the term#
5ording to pri$ate respondent' the emplo!ment ontrats %ere prepared in aordane
%ith 5rtile >. of the 1abor Code' %hih pro$ides7
5RT# >.# 9mplo!ment agreement# 5n! emplo!er %ho emplo!s handiapped
%or&ers shall enter into an emplo!ment agreement %ith them' %hih agreementshall inlude7
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2a3 The names and addresses of the handiapped %or&ers to be emplo!edF
2b3 The rate to be paid the handiapped %or&ers %hih shall be not less than
se$ent! fi$e 2=03 per ent of the appliable legal minimum %ageF
23 The duration of emplo!ment periodF and
2d3 The %or& to be performed b! handiapped %or&ers#
The emplo!ment agreement shall be sub(et to inspetion b! the Seretar! of1abor or his dul! authori;ed representati$es#
The stipulations in the emplo!ment ontrats indubitabl! onform %ith the aforeited
pro$ision# Sueeding e$ents and the enatment of R5 No# =-== 2the Magna Carta for
Disabled Persons3')*4+ho%e$er' (ustif! the appliation of 5rtile ->. of the 1abor Code#
Respondent ban& entered into the aforesaid ontrat %ith a total of 0< handiapped
%or&ers and rene%ed the ontrats of 4= of them# In fat' t%o of them %or&ed from */>> to
*//4# Veril!' the rene%al of the ontrats of the handiapped %or&ers and the hiring of others
lead to the onlusion that their tas&s %ere benefiial and neessar! to the ban&# More
important' these fats sho% that the! %ere qualified to perform the responsibilities of their
positions# In other %ords' their disabilit! did not render them unqualified or unfit for the tas&s
assigned to them#
In this light' the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons mandates that a qualified disabled
emplo!ee should be gi$en the same terms and onditions of emplo!ment as a qualified able"
bodied person# Setion 0 of the Magna Carta pro$ides7
Setion 0# Equal Opportunity for Employment #No disabled person shall be deniedaess to opportunities for suitable emplo!ment# 5 qualified disabled emplo!ee
shall be sub(et to the same terms and onditions of emplo!ment and the sameompensation' pri$ileges' benefits' fringe benefits' inenti$es or allo%anes as a
qualified able bodied person#
The fat that the emplo!ees %ere qualified disabled persons neessaril! remo$es the
emplo!ment ontrats from the ambit of 5rtile >.# Sine the Magna Carta aords them the
rights of qualified able"bodied persons' the! are thus o$ered b! 5rtile ->. of the 1abor
Code' %hih pro$ides7
5RT# ->.# Regular and Casual 9mplo!ment# "" The pro$isions of %rittenagreement to the ontrar! not%ithstanding and regardless of the oral agreement of
the parties' an emplo!ment shall be deemed to be regular %here the emplo!ee has been engaged to perform ati$ities %hih are usuall! neessar! or desirable in the
usual business or trade of the emplo!er' eAept %here the emplo!ment has beenfiAed for a speifi pro(et or underta&ing the ompletion or termination of %hih
has been determined at the time of the engagement of the emplo!ee or %here the
%or& or ser$ies to be performed is seasonal in nature and the emplo!ment is forthe duration of the season#
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5n emplo!ment shall be deemed to be asual if it is not o$ered b! the preeding paragraph7 Pro$ided' That' an! emplo!ee %ho has rendered at least one !ear of
ser$ie' %hether suh ser$ie is ontinuous or bro&en' shall be onsidered asregular emplo!ee %ith respet to the ati$it! in %hih he is emplo!ed and his
emplo!ment shall ontinue %hile suh ati$it! eAists#
The test of %hether an emplo!ee is regular %as laid do%n in De Leon v. NLRC ')*6+ in
%hih this Court held7
The primar! standard' therefore' of determining regular emplo!ment is thereasonable onnetion bet%een the partiular ati$it! performed b! the emplo!ee
in relation to the usual trade or business of the emplo!er# The test is %hether theformer is usuall! neessar! or desirable in the usual business or trade of theemplo!er# The onnetion an be determined b! onsidering the nature of the %or&
performed and its relation to the sheme of the partiular business or trade in itsentiret!# 5lso if the emplo!ee has been performing the (ob for at least one !ear'
e$en if the performane is not ontinuous and merel! intermittent' the la% deemsrepeated and ontinuing need for its performane as suffiient e$idene of the
neessit! if not indispensabilit! of that ati$it! to the business# Hene' theemplo!ment is onsidered regular' but onl! %ith respet to suh ati$it!' and %hile
suh ati$it! eAists#
8ithout a doubt' the tas& of ounting and sorting bills is neessar! and desirable to the
business of respondent ban&# 8ith the eAeption of siAteen of them' petitioners performed
these tas&s for more than siA months# Thus' the follo%ing t%ent!"se$en petitioners should bedeemed regular emplo!ees7 Marites ?ernardo' 9l$ira Eo Diamante' Rebea 9# Da$id' Da$id
P# Pasual' Raquel 9stiller' 5lbert Hallare' 9dmund M# Corte;' ,oselito O# 5gdon' Eeorge P#
1igutan ,r#' 1ilibeth J# Marmole(o' ,ose 9# Sales' Isabel Mamauag' Violeta E# Montes'
5lbino Teson' Melod! V# Eruela' ?ernadeth D# 5gero' C!nthia de Vera' 1ani R# Corte;' Ma#
Isabel ?# Conepion' Margaret Ceilia Cano;a' Thelma Sebastian' Ma# ,eanette Cer$antes'
,eannie Ramil' Ro;aida Pasual' Pin&! ?aloloa' 9li;abeth Ventura and Erae S# Pardo#
5s held b! the Court' 5rtiles ->. and ->* of the 1abor Code put an end to the
perniious pratie of ma&ing permanent asuals of our lo%l! emplo!ees b! the simple
eApedient of eAtending to them probationar! appointments' ad infinitum#)*0+ The ontrat
signed b! petitioners is a&in to a probationar! emplo!ment' during %hih the ban&
determined the emplo!ees fitness for the (ob# 8hen the ban& rene%ed the ontrat after the
lapse of the siA"month probationar! period' the emplo!ees thereb! beame regular
emplo!ees#)*<+ No emplo!er is allo%ed to determine indefinitel! the fitness of its emplo!ees#
5s regular emplo!ees' the t%ent!"se$en petitioners are entitled to seurit! of tenureF that
is' their ser$ies ma! be terminated onl! for a (ust or authori;ed ause# ?eause respondent
failed to sho% suh ause')*=+ these t%ent!"se$en petitioners are deemed illegall! dismissed
and therefore entitled to ba& %ages and reinstatement %ithout loss of seniorit! rights and
other pri$ileges#)*>+ Considering the allegation of respondent that the (ob of mone! sorting is
no longer a$ailable beause it has been assigned ba& to the tellers to %hom it originall!
belonged')*/+ petitioners are hereb! a%arded separation pa! in lieu of reinstatement# )-.+
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?eause the other siAteen %or&ed onl! for siA months' the! are not deemed regular
emplo!ees and hene not entitled to the same benefits#
Applicability of the B0*3 Ruling
Respondent ban&' iting Brent School v. Zamora)-*+ in %hih the Court upheld the $alidit!
of an emplo!ment ontrat %ith a fiAed term' argues that the parties entered into the ontrat
on equal footing#It adds that the petitioners had in fat an ad$antage' beause the! %ere
ba&ed b! then DS8D Seretar! Mita Pardo de Ta$era and Representati$e 5rturo ?or(al#
8e are not persuaded# The term limit in the ontrat %as premised on the fat that the
petitioners %ere disabled' and that the ban& had to determine their fitness for the
position# Indeed' its $alidit! is based on 5rtile >. of the 1abor Code# ?ut as noted earlier'
petitioners pro$ed themsel$es to be qualified disabled persons %ho' under the Magna Carta
for Disabled Persons' are entitled to terms and onditions of emplo!ment en(o!ed
b! qualified able"bodied indi$idualsF hene' 5rtile >. does not appl! beause petitioners
are qualified for their positions# The $alidation of the limit imposed on their ontrats'
imposed b! reason of their disabilit!' %as a glaring instane of the $er! mishief sought to be
addressed b! the ne% la%#
Moreo$er' it must be emphasi;ed that a ontrat of emplo!ment is impressed %ith publi
interest#)--+ Pro$isions of appliable statutes are deemed %ritten into the ontrat' and the
parties are not at libert! to insulate themsel$es and their relationships from the impat of
labor la%s and regulations b! simpl! ontrating %ith eah other #)-4+ Clearl!' the agreement of
the parties regarding the period of emplo!ment annot pre$ail o$er the pro$isions of the
Magna Carta for Disabled Persons' %hih mandate that petitioners must be treated as
qualified able"bodied emplo!ees#
Respondents reason for terminating the emplo!ment of petitioners is instruti$e# ?eause
the ?ang&o Sentral ng Pilipinas 2?SP3 required that ash in the ban& be turned o$er to the
?SP during business hours from >7.. a#m# to 07.. p#m#' respondent resorted to nighttime
sorting and ounting of mone!# Thus' it reasons that this tas& ould not be done b! deaf mutes
beause of their ph!sial limitations as it is $er! ris&! for them to tra$el at night# )-6+ 8e find
no basis for this argument# Tra$elling at night in$ol$es ris&s to handiapped and able"bodied
persons ali&e# This eAuse annot (ustif! the termination of their emplo!ment#
O)*0 G0ou3 C/* y R*8o3*3
Respondent argues that petitioners %ere merel! aommodated emplo!ees# This fat
does not hange the nature of their emplo!ment# 5s earlier noted' an emplo!ee is regular
beause of the nature of %or& and the length of ser$ie' not beause of the mode or e$en the
reason for hiring them#
9quall! una$ailing are pri$ate respondents arguments that it did not go out of its %a! to
reruit petitioners' and that its plantilla did not ontain their positions# In L. . Datu v. NLRC ')-0+ the Court held that the determination of %hether emplo!ment is asual or regular does not
depend on the %ill or %ord of the emplo!er' and the proedure of hiring A A A but on the
nature of the ati$ities performed b! the emplo!ee' and to some eAtent' the length of performane and its ontinued eAistene#
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Pri$ate respondent argues that the petitioners %ere informed from the start that the!
ould not beome regular emplo!ees# In fat' the ban& adds' the! agreed %ith the stipulation
in the ontrat regarding this point# Still' %e are not persuaded# The %ell"settled rule is that
the harater of emplo!ment is determined not b! stipulations in the ontrat' but b! the
nature of the %or& performed#)-<+ Other%ise' no emplo!ee an beome regular b! the simple
eApedient of inorporating this ondition in the ontrat of emplo!ment#
In this light' %e iterate our ruling in Romares v. NLRC 7)-=+
5rtile ->. %as emplaed in our statute boo&s to pre$ent the irum$ention of theemplo!ees right to be seure in his tenure b! indisriminatel! and ompletel!
ruling out all %ritten and oral agreements inonsistent %ith the onept of regularemplo!ment defined therein# 8here an emplo!ee has been engaged to perform
ati$ities %hih are usuall! neessar! or desirable in the usual business of theemplo!er' suh emplo!ee is deemed a regular emplo!ee and is entitled to seurit!
of tenure not%ithstanding the ontrar! pro$isions of his ontrat of emplo!ment#
A A A A A A A A A
5t this (unture' the leading ase of Brent School! "nc. v. Zamora pro$esinstruti$e# 5s reaffirmed in subsequent ases' this Court has upheld the legalit! of
fiAed"term emplo!ment# It ruled that the deisi$e determinant in term emplo!mentshould not be the ati$ities that the emplo!ee is alled upon to perform but the da!
ertain agreed upon the parties for the ommenement and termination of theiremplo!ment relationship# ?ut this Court %ent on to sa! that %here from the
irumstanes it is apparent that the periods ha$e been imposed to preludeaquisition of tenurial seurit! b! the emplo!ee' the! should be stru& do%n or
disregarded as ontrar! to publi poli! and morals#
In rendering this Deision' the Court emphasi;es not onl! the onstitutional bias in fa$or
of the %or&ing lass' but also the onern of the State for the plight of the disabled# The noble
ob(eti$es of Magna Carta for Disabled Persons are not based merel! on harit! or
aommodation' but on (ustie and the equal treatment of qualified persons' disabled or
not# In the present ase' the handiap of petitioners 2deaf"mutes3 is not a hindrane to their
%or&# The eloquent proof of this statement is the repeated rene%al of their emplo!ment
ontrats# 8h! then should the! be dismissed' simpl! beause the! are ph!siall!
impaired The Court belie$es' that' after sho%ing their fitness for the %or& assigned to them'the! should be treated and granted the same rights li&e an! other regular emplo!ees#
In this light' %e note the Offie of the Soliitor Eenerals pra!er (oining the petitioners
ause#)->+
&!ERE%ORE' premises onsidered' the Petition is hereb! #R$NED# The ,une -.'
*//0 Deision and the 5ugust 6' *//0 Resolution of the N1RC
are RE%ERSED and SE $S"DE # Respondent :ar 9ast ?an& and Trust Compan! is
hereb! ORDERED to pa! ba& %ages and separation pa! to eah of the follo%ing t%ent!"
se$en 2-=3 petitioners' namel!' Marites ?ernardo' 9l$ira Eo Diamante' Rebea 9# Da$id'
Da$id P# Pasual' Raquel 9stiller' 5lbert Hallare' 9dmund M# Corte;' ,oselito O# 5gdon'
Eeorge P# 1igutan ,r#' 1ilibeth J# Marmole(o' ,ose 9# Sales' Isabel Mamauag' Violeta E#
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Montes' 5lbino Teson' Melod! V# Eruela' ?ernadeth D# 5gero' C!nthia de Vera' 1ani R#
Corte;' Ma# Isabel ?# Conepion' Margaret Ceilia Cano;a' Thelma Sebastian' Ma# ,eanette
Cer$antes' ,eannie Ramil' Ro;aida Pasual' Pin&! ?aloloa' 9li;abeth Ventura and Erae S#
Pardo# The N1RC is hereb! direted to ompute the eAat amount due eah of said
emplo!ees' pursuant to eAisting la%s and regulations' %ithin fifteen da!s from the finalit! of
this Deision# No osts#
SO ORDERED.
Romero! &Chairman'! %itu(! )urisima! and #on*a(a+Reyes! ,,.! onur#