Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 1968 > August 1968 Decisions > G.R. No. L-28188 August 27, 1968 - J.M. JAVIER LOGGING CORP. v. ATANACIO A. MARDO, ET AL:




PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[G.R. No. L-28188. August 27, 1968.]

J.M. JAVIER LOGGING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ATANACIO A. MARDO, Acting Chief Referee, Workmen’s Compensation Unit, Regional Office 4, Department of Labor, Manila; NICANOR SALAYSAY, Provincial Sheriff of Rizal, and/or GREGORIO C. GUIDO, Deputy Provincial Sheriff of Rizal; and EMERENCIANA VDA. DE SOLOMON, Respondents.

Ozaeta, Gibbs & Ozaeta for Petitioner.

P. C. Villavieja and Cecilia E. Curso for Respondent.


SYLLABUS


1. REMEDIAL LAW; APPEAL; PERIOD THEREFOR; PERIOD SHOULD BE COUNTED FROM SERVICE OF DECISION TO COUNSEL; REASON. — A copy of the decision was sent on August 7, 1967 to counsel of record for the employer by registered mail but no registry return card showing receipt appears on the record. Another copy of the decision was sent to the employer itself at its recorded address and admittedly received by it on August 9, 1967. On August 25, 1967 the employer filed a motion for reconsideration which was not entertained on the ground that it was filed one day after the 15th day from receipt by the employer (August 9) and that the award had become final and executory. An appeal to the Commission en banc having failed and execution having been issued, petitioner filed a petition for writs of certiorari and prohibition. Held: The writs applied for should be granted and the execution issued should be annulled and set aside. This Court has ruled that in Rule 13, Section 2 of the Revised Rules of Court the expression "every written notice" includes notice of a decision. And conformably to the later part of the rule, where a party appears by attorney, notice to the former is not a notice in law, unless service upon the party himself is ordered by the court which does not appear in the case at bar. This rule is not a mere technicality, but one founded on consideration of fair play. A party engages an attorney of record precisely because it does not feel competent to deal with the intricacies of law and procedure. Furthermore, as the party directly served would have to communicate with its attorney and turn over to him the notice received, the net result would be to noticeably shorten the usable period for taking the proper steps required to protect the party’s interest.


D E C I S I O N


REYES, J.B.L., J.:


Petition for writs of certiorari and prohibition against respondents to review and set aside, for want of jurisdiction, a writ of execution issued by Atanacio Mardo, Chief Hearing Officer, Regional Office No. 4, and the levy made by the Provincial Sheriff of Rizal, through his deputy, pursuant to said writ.

The petition was duly accepted by this Court and a preliminary injunction issued upon a bond of P5,000.00.

On 13 April 1966, one Jose C. Solomon had filed with the Department of Labor, Regional Office No. 4, a Notice of Injury or Sickness with Claim for Compensation against J.M. Javier Logging Corporation, a Philippine corporation. Upon receipt thereof, the employer corporation failed to accomplish and submit the Employer’s Report, as required by the Workmen’s Compensation Act, on the ground that claimant had resigned from the employ of the Company as of 31 December 1965, and had received separation pay.

The case was set for hearing, and in due time, on 28 July 1967, decided in favor of the claimant. Copy of the decision was sent on 7 August 1967 to counsel of record for the employer at Makati, Rizal, by registered mail; but no registry return card showing receipt appears on record. Another copy of the decision was sent to the employer itself at its recorded address, and admittedly received by it on 9 August 1967.

On 25 August 1967, the employer, through another counsel, filed a motion for reconsideration. The deciding officer declined to entertain it, on the ground that it was filed one day after the 15th day from receipt by the employer (on 9th August) of a copy of the decision, and that the award had become final and executory. In view thereof, execution was issued by the Chief Referee, through the hearing officer, and levied by the Provincial Sheriff on 19 September 1967. The employer appealed to the Commission en banc, but its appeal was turned down on 25 October 1967, the Commission being also of the opinion that the decision had become final. Hence the present petition.

It is now the petitioning employer’s position that, because it was represented by counsel, service of a copy of the decision upon the employer itself was invalid; and that the service by mail upon its original counsel could be deemed complete only upon the fifth day from the receipt of the first notice from the postmaster (Rule 13, section 8); that even assuming that the postmaster of Makati received the mailed copy of the decision on 8 August, the day following its mailing, and issued the notice to the addressee on that same day, the service was not complete until 13 August; hence, the motion to reconsider the decision, filed on 25 August, was timely, and blocked the finality of the referee’s decision.

Upon the other hand, respondents anchor their case on the validity of the service of the decision upon the employer corporation on 9 August, contending that the decision of the hearing officer became final on 24 August, fifteen days after said date, for lack of seasonable appeal.

The issue narrows down to the validity of the service of the decision upon the employer itself, instead of its counsel of record.

We find the petition meritorious. Rule 13, section 2, of the Revised Rules of Court provides:jgc:chanrobles.com.ph

"SEC. 2. Papers to be filed and served. — Every order required by its terms to be served, every pleading subsequent to the complaint, every written motion other than one which may be heard ex parte, and every written notice, appearance, demand, offer of judgment or similar papers shall be filed with the court, and served upon the parties affected thereby. If any of such parties has appeared by an attorney or attorneys, service upon him shall be made upon his attorneys or one of them, unless service upon the party himself is ordered by the court. Where one attorney appears for several parties, he shall only be entitled to one copy of any paper served upon him by the opposite side."cralaw virtua1aw library

In Notor v. Daza, 76 Phil. 850, this Court ruled that the expression "every written notice" in the preceding section includes notice of a decision. And conformably to the later part of the rule, where a party appears by attorney, notice to the former is not a notice in law, unless service upon the party himself is ordered by the court, which does not appear in the case at bar (Vivero v. Santos, 98 Phil. 500, 504; Chaiuani v. Judge Tancinco, 90 Phil. 862; Jacinto v. Jacinto, 52 Off. Gaz. 2582). This rule is not a mere technicality, but one founded on considerations of fair play. A party engages an attorney of record precisely because it does not feel competent to deal with the intricacies of law and procedure. Furthermore, as the party directly served would have to communicate with its attorney and turn over to him the notice received, the net result would be to noticeably shorten the usable period for taking the proper steps required to protect the party’s interests.

It is regrettable that the respondents’ anxiousness to grant speedy remedy to the claimant has resulted in further prolonging this litigation. It should serve as a reminder of the saying that "haste makes waste." We have no alternative but to apply the rule in the interest of justice and fair play, so the case may be decided on its actual merits.

The writs applied for are granted. The writ of execution issued is annulled and set aside, and implementation thereof prohibited. The preliminary injunction heretofore issued is made permanent. No costs.

Concepcion, C.J., Dizon, Makalintal, Zaldivar, Sanchez, Castro, and Angeles, JJ., concur.

Fernando, J., did not take part.




Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






August-1968 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. L-23129 August 2, 1968 - ISIDRA FARAON, ET AL v. TOMAS PRIELA

  • G.R. No. L-27260 August 8, 1968 - NAMARCO, ET AL v. HON. GAUDENCIO CLORIBEL, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-20872 August 10, 1968 - DIGNA BALDEVARONA VDA. DE GOMEZ v. AMBROSIO FORTALEZA

  • G.R. No. L-19791 August 14, 1968 - KAPISANAN NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA MLA. RAILROAD CO. v. RAFAEL HERNANDEZ, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-24954 August 14, 1968 - CITY OF NAGA v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-25729 August 14, 1968 - PERFECTO CORDERO, ET AL v. COURT OF AGRARIAN RELATIONS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-25295 August 14, 1968 - CONCORDIA T. ARONG v. CONRADA SENO, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24493 August 14, 1968 - ADOLFO C. NAVARRO v. CITY OF ZAMBOANGA

  • G.R. No. L-27205 August 15, 1968 - PCI BANK v. JUAN GRIÑO, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-29044 August 15, 1968 - WORKMEN’S INSURANCE CO., INC. v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-19880 August 15, 1968 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. v. LA PERLA CIGAR & CIGARETTE FACTORY, INC.

  • G.R. No. L-19149 August 16, 1968 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. BEN PAREDES, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-29169 August 19, 1968 - ROGER CHAVEZ v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24774 August 21, 1968 - RAUL CIPRIANO v. SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION

  • G.R. No. L-28903 August 22, 1968 - MARINDUQUE MINING & INDUSTRIAL CORP. v. SANTIAGO YAP, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. 24116-17 August 22, 1968 - CEBU PORTLAND CEMENT CO. v. MUNICIPALITY OF NAGA, CEBU, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-28511 August 22, 1968 - ARTURO SERIÑA v. CFI OF BUKIDNON, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24845 August 22, 1968 - ADELA ONGSIACO VDA. DE CLEMEÑA v. AGUSTIN ENGRACIO CLEMEÑA, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-23768 August 23, 1968 - JOSE GARRIDO v. PILAR G. TUASON

  • A.C. No. 549 August 26, 1968 - MAXIMA C. LOPEZ v. MANUEL B. CASACLANG

  • G.R. No. L-19490 August 26, 1968 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. GORGONIO UBALDO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-19737 August 26, 1968 - HENG TONG TEXTILES CO., INC. v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24405 August 27, 1968 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE v. DINGALAN FOREST PRODUCTS CORP., ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-28188 August 27, 1968 - J.M. JAVIER LOGGING CORP. v. ATANACIO A. MARDO, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-28613 August 27, 1968 - AMBROCIO LACUNA v. BENJAMIN H. ABES

  • G.R. No. L-25029 August 28, 1968 - PROCESO VINLUAN v. JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-22814 August 28, 1968 - PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING CO. OF THE PHIL. INC. v. CITY OF BUTUAN, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-19491 August 30, 1968 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. APOLONIO APDUHAN, JR., ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-22822 August 30, 1968 - GREGORIA PALANCA v. AMERICAN FOOD MANUFACTURING CO., ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24394 August 30, 1968 - JUANITO CARLOS v. ANTONIO J. VILLEGAS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-23482 August 30, 1968 - ALFONSO LACSON v. CARMEN SAN JOSE-LACSON, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-23541 August 30, 1968 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. ANGELITO GUARDO, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-23979 August 30, 1968 - HOMEOWNERS’ ASSO. OF THE PHIL., ET AL v. MUN. BOARD OF THE CITY OF MLA., ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-24165 August 30, 1968 - JUAN M. SERRANO v. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24189 August 30, 1968 - ITOGON-SUYOC MINES, INC. v. SAÑGILO-ITOGON WORKERS’ UNION, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24471 August 30, 1968 - SILVERIO MARCHAN, ET AL v. ARSENIO MENDOZA, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-22766 August 30, 1968 - SURIGAO ELECTRIC CO., INC., ET AL v. MUN. OF SURIGAO, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-22212 August 30, 1968 - FARM IMPLEMENT & MACHINERY CO. v. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS

  • G.R. No. L-25049 August 30, 1968 - FILEMON RAMIREZ, ET AL v. ARTEMIO BALTAZAR, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-28223 August 30, 1968 - MECH. DEPT. LABOR UNION SA PHIL. NATL. RAILWAYS v. COURT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-28891 August 30, 1968 - DBP v. ESTANISLAO D. SARTO, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-25059 August 30, 1968 - FOITAF v. ANGEL MOJICA, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-28751 August 30, 1968 - JOSE TUBURAN v. FRANK BALLENER, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-26197 August 30, 1968 - ADELO C. RIVERA v. SAN MIGUEL BREWERY CORP.

  • G.R. No. L-22769 August 30, 1968 - JUAN ISBERTO v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL. ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-21965 August 30, 1968 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. SIMPLICIO S. GERVACIO, ET AL.

  • G.R. No. L-22183 August 30, 1968 - RECEIVER FOR NORTH NEGROS SUGAR CO. INC. v. PEDRO V. YBAÑEZ, ET AL

  • G.R. Nos. L-22359 & L-22524-25 August 30, 1968 - MATEO CORONEL, ET AL v. COURT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-29223 August 30, 1968 - BACOLOD-MURCIA MILLING CO., INC. v. JOSE R. QUERUBIN, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-20495 August 31, 1968 - BELEN CRUZ v. LUIS M. SIMON, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-20831 August 31, 1968 - CALTEX (PHILIPPINES), INC., ET AL v. LUIS U. GO

  • G.R. No. L-23023 August 31, 1968 - JOSE P. STA. ANA v. FLORENTINO MALIWAT, ET AL

  • G.R. No. L-24884 August 31, 1968 - PEOPLE OF THE PHIL. v. CONSORCIO PELAGO Y BEKILLA

  • G.R. No. L-24606 August 31, 1968 - JOSE T. JAMANDRE v. COURT OF APPEALS, ET AL