Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2015 > February 2015 Decisions > G.R. No. 202961, February 04, 2015 - EMER MILAN, RANDY MASANGKAY, WILFREDO JAVIER, RONALDO DAVID, BONIFACIO MATUNDAN, NORA MENDOZA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, SOLID MILLS, INC., AND/OR PHILIP ANG, Respondents.:




G.R. No. 202961, February 04, 2015 - EMER MILAN, RANDY MASANGKAY, WILFREDO JAVIER, RONALDO DAVID, BONIFACIO MATUNDAN, NORA MENDOZA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, SOLID MILLS, INC., AND/OR PHILIP ANG, Respondents.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. 202961, February 04, 2015

EMER MILAN, RANDY MASANGKAY, WILFREDO JAVIER, RONALDO DAVID, BONIFACIO MATUNDAN, NORA MENDOZA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, SOLID MILLS, INC., AND/OR PHILIP ANG, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

LEONEN, J.:

An employer is allowed to withhold terminal pay and benefits pending the employee�s return of its properties.

Petitioners are respondent Solid Mills, Inc.�s (Solid Mills) employees.1� They are represented by the National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), their collective bargaining agent.2chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

As Solid Mills� employees, petitioners and their families were allowed to occupy SMI Village, a property owned by Solid Mills.3� According to Solid Mills, this was �[o]ut of liberality and for the convenience of its employees . . . [and] on the condition that the employees . . . would vacate the premises anytime the Company deems fit.�4chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

In September 2003, petitioners were informed that effective October 10, 2003, Solid Mills would cease its operations due to serious business losses.5� NAFLU recognized Solid Mills� closure due to serious business losses in the memorandum of agreement dated September 1, 2003.6� The memorandum of agreement provided for Solid Mills� grant of separation pay less accountabilities, accrued sick leave benefits, vacation leave benefits, and 13th month pay to the employees.7� Pertinent portions of the agreement provide:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

WHEREAS, the COMPANY has incurred substantial financial losses and is currently experiencing further severe financial losses;chanrobleslaw

WHEREAS, in view of such irreversible financial losses, the COMPANY will cease its operations on October 10, 2003;chanrobleslaw

WHEREAS, all employees of the COMPANY on account of irreversible financial losses, will be dismissed from employment effective October 10, 2003;chanrobleslaw

In view thereof, the parties agree as follows:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
  1. That UNION acknowledges that the COMPANY is experiencing severe financial losses and as a consequence of which, management is constrained to cease the company�s operations.

  2. The UNION acknowledges that under Article 283 of the Labor Code, separation pay is granted to employees who are dismissed due to closures or cessation of operations NOT DUE to serious business losses.

  3. The UNION acknowledges that in view of the serious business losses the Company has been experiencing as seen in their audited financial statements, employees ARE NOT granted separation benefits under the law.

  4. The COMPANY, by way of goodwill and in the spirit of generosity agrees to grant financial assistance less accountabilities to members of the Union based on length of service to be computed as follows: (Italics in this paragraph supplied)

    Number of days - 12.625 for every year of service

  5. In view of the above, the members of the UNION will receive such financial assistance on an equal monthly installments basis based on the following schedule:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

    First Check due on January 5, 2004 and every 5th of the month thereafter until December 5, 2004.

  6. The COMPANY commits to pay any accrued benefits the Union members are entitled to, specifically those arising from sick and vacation leave benefits and 13th month pay, less accountabilities based on the following schedule:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

    One Time Cash Payment to be distributed anywhere from. . . .

    . . . .

  7. The foregoing agreement is entered into with full knowledge by the parties of their rights under the law and they hereby bind themselves not to conduct any concerted action of whatsoever kind, otherwise the grant of financial assistance as discussed above will be withheld.8 (Emphasis in the original)

Solid Mills filed its Department of Labor and Employment termination report on September 2, 2003.9chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Later, Solid Mills, through Alfredo Jingco, sent to petitioners individual notices to vacate SMI Village.10chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Petitioners were no longer allowed to report for work by October 10, 2003.11� They were required to sign a memorandum of agreement with release and quitclaim before their vacation and sick leave benefits, 13th month pay, and separation pay would be released.12� Employees who signed the memorandum of agreement were considered to have agreed to vacate SMI Village, and to the demolition of the constructed houses inside as condition for the release of their termination benefits and separation pay.13� Petitioners refused to sign the documents and demanded to be paid their benefits and separation pay.14chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Hence, petitioners filed complaints before the Labor Arbiter for alleged non-payment of separation pay, accrued sick and vacation leaves, and 13th month pay.15� They argued that their accrued benefits and separation pay should not be withheld because their payment is based on company policy and practice.16� Moreover, the 13th month pay is based on law, specifically, Presidential Decree No. 851.17� Their possession of Solid Mills property is not an accountability that is subject to clearance procedures.18� They had already turned over to Solid Mills their uniforms and equipment when Solid Mills ceased operations.19chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

On the other hand, Solid Mills argued that petitioners� complaint was premature because they had not vacated its property.20chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of petitioners.21� According to the Labor Arbiter, Solid Mills illegally withheld petitioners� benefits and separation pay.22� Petitioners� right to the payment of their benefits and separation pay was vested by law and contract.23� The memorandum of agreement dated September 1, 2003 stated no condition to the effect that petitioners must vacate Solid Mills� property before their benefits could be given to them.24� Petitioners� possession should not be construed as petitioners� �accountabilities� that must be cleared first before the release of benefits.25� Their possession �is not by virtue of any employer-employee relationship.�26� It is a civil issue, which is outside the jurisdiction of the Labor Arbiter.27chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

The dispositive portion of the Labor Arbiter�s decision reads:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is entered ORDERING respondents SOLID MILLS, INC. and/or PHILIP ANG (President), in solido to pay the remaining 21 complainants:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

1)� 19 of which, namely EMER MILAN, RAMON MASANGKAY, ALFREDO JAVIER, RONALDO DAVID, BONIFACIO MATUNDAN, NORA MENDOZA, MYRNA IGCAS, RAUL DE LAS ALAS, RENATO ESTOLANO, REX S. DIMAFELIX, MAURA MILAN, JESSICA BAYBAYON, ALFREDO MENDOZA, ROBERTO IGCAS, ISMAEL MATA, CARLITO DAMIAN, TEODORA MAHILOM, MARILOU LINGA, RENATO LINGA their separation pay of 12.625 days� pay per year of service, pro-rated 13th month pay for 2003 and accrued vacation and sick leaves, plus 12% interest p.a. from date of filing of the lead case/judicial demand on 12/08/03 until actual payment and/or finality;chanrobleslaw

2)� the remaining 2 of which, complainants CLEOPATRA ZACARIAS, as she already received on 12/19/03 her accrued 13th month pay for 2003, accrued VL/SL total amount of P15,435.16, likewise, complainant Jerry L. Sesma as he already received his accrued 13th month pay for 2003, SL/VL in the total amount of P10,974.97, shall be paid only their separation pay of 12.625 days� pay per year of service but also with 12% interest p.a. from date of filing of the lead case/judicial demand on 12/08/03 until actual payment and/or finality, which computation as of date, amount to as shown in the attached computation sheet.

3)� Nine (9) individual complaints viz., of Maria Agojo, Joey Suarez, Ronaldo Vergara, Ronnie Vergara, Antonio R. Dulo, Sr., Bryan D. Durano, Silverio P. Durano, Sr., Elizabeth Duarte and Purificacion Malabanan are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE due to amicable settlement, whereas, that of [RONIE ARANAS], [EMILITO NAVARRO], [NONILON PASCO], [GENOVEVA PASCO], [OLIMPIO A. PASCO] are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE, for lack of interest and/or failure to prosecute.

The Computation and Examination unit is directed to cause the computation of the award in Pars. 2 and 3 above.28 (Emphasis in the original)

Solid Mills appealed to the National Labor Relations Commission.29� It prayed for, among others, the dismissal of the complaints against it and the reversal of the Labor Arbiter�s decision.30chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

The National Labor Relations Commission affirmed paragraph 3 of the Labor Arbiter�s dispositive portion, but reversed paragraphs 1 and 2.� Thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

WHEREFORE, the Decision of Labor Arbiter Renaldo O. Hernandez dated 10/17/05 is AFFIRMED in so far as par. 3 thereof is concerned but modified in that paragraphs 1 and 2 thereof are REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accordingly, the following complainants, namely: Emir Milan, Ramon Masangkay, Alfredo Javier, Ronaldo David, Bonifacio Matundan, Nora Mendoza, Myrna Igcas, Raul De Las Alas, Renato Estolano, Rex S. Dimaf[e]lix, Maura Milan, Jessica Baybayon, Alfredo Mendoza, Roberto Igcas, Cleopatra Zacarias and Jerry L. Sesma�s monetary claims in the form of separation pay, accrued 13th month pay for 2003, accrued vacation and sick leave pays are held in abeyance pending compliance of their accountabilities to respondent company by turning over the subject lots they respectively occupy at SMI Village Sucat Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila to herein respondent company.31

The National Labor Relations Commission noted that complainants Marilou Linga, Renato Linga, Ismael Mata, and Carlito Damian were already paid their respective separation pays and benefits.32� Meanwhile, Teodora Mahilom already retired long before Solid Mills� closure.33� She was already given her retirement benefits.34chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

The National Labor Relations Commission ruled that because of petitioners� failure to vacate Solid Mills� property, Solid Mills was justified in withholding their benefits and separation pay.35� Solid Mills granted the petitioners the privilege to occupy its property on account of petitioners� employment.36� It had the prerogative to terminate such privilege.37� The termination of Solid Mills and petitioners� employer-employee relationship made it incumbent upon petitioners to turn over the property to Solid Mills.38chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Petitioners filed a motion for partial reconsideration on October 18, 2010,39 but this was denied in the November 30, 2010 resolution.40chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Petitioners, thus, filed a petition for certiorari41 before the Court of Appeals to assail the National Labor Relations Commission decision of August 31, 2010 and resolution of November 30, 2010.42chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

On January 31, 2012, the Court of Appeals issued a decision dismissing petitioners� petition,43 thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby ordered DISMISSED.44

The Court of Appeals ruled that Solid Mills� act of allowing its employees to make temporary dwellings in its property was a liberality on its part.� It may be revoked any time at its discretion.45� As a consequence of Solid Mills� closure and the resulting termination of petitioners, the employer-employee relationship between them ceased to exist.� There was no more reason for them to stay in Solid Mills� property.46� Moreover, the memorandum of agreement between Solid Mills and the union representing petitioners provided that Solid Mills� payment of employees� benefits should be �less accountabilities.�47chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

On petitioners� claim that there was no evidence that Teodora Mahilom already received her retirement pay, the Court of Appeals ruled that her complaint filed before the Labor Arbiter did not include a claim for retirement pay.� The issue was also raised for the first time on appeal, which is not allowed.48� In any case, she already retired before Solid Mills ceased its operations.49chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

The Court of Appeals agreed with the National Labor Relations Commission�s deletion of interest since it found that Solid Mills� act of withholding payment of benefits and separation pay was proper.� Petitioners� terminal benefits and pay were withheld because of petitioners� failure to vacate Solid Mills� property.50chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Finally, the Court of Appeals noted that Carlito Damian already received his separation pay and benefits.51� Hence, he should no longer be awarded these claims.52chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

In the resolution promulgated on July 16, 2012, the Court of Appeals denied petitioners� motion for reconsideration.53chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Petitioners raise in this petition the following errors:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

I

WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR WHEN IT RULED THAT PAYMENT OF THE MONETARY CLAIMS OF PETITIONERS SHOULD BE HELD IN ABEYANCE PENDING COMPLIANCE OF THEIR ACCOUNTABILITIES TO RESPONDENT SOLID MILLS BY TURNING OVER THE SUBJECT LOTS THEY RESPECTIVELY OCCUPY AT SMI VILLAGE, SUCAT, MUNTINLUPA CITY.

II

WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR WHEN IT UPHELD THE RULING OF THE NLRC DELETING THE INTEREST OF 12% PER ANNUM IMPOSED BY THE HONORABLE LABOR ARBITER HERNANDEZ ON THE AMOUNT DUE FROM THE DATE OF FILING OF THE LEAD CASE/JUDICIAL DEMAND ON DECEMBER 8, 2003 UNTIL ACTUAL PAYMENT AND/OR FINALITY.

III

WHETHER OR NOT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR WHEN IT UPHELD THE RULING OF THE NLRC DENYING THE CLAIM OF TEODORA MAHILOM FOR PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS DESPITE LACK OF ANY EVIDENCE THAT SHE RECEIVED THE SAME.

IV

WHETHER OR NOT PETITIONER CARLITO DAMIAN IS ENTITLED TO HIS MONETARY BENEFITS FROM RESPONDENT SOLID MILLS.54

Petitioners argue that respondent Solid Mills and NAFLU�s memorandum of agreement has no provision stating that benefits shall be paid only upon return of the possession of respondent Solid Mills� property.55� It only provides that the benefits shall be �less accountabilities,� which should not be interpreted to include such possession.56� The fact that majority of NAFLU�s members were not occupants of respondent Solid Mills� property is evidence that possession of the property was not contemplated in the agreement.57� �Accountabilities� should be interpreted to refer only to accountabilities that were incurred by petitioners while they were performing their duties as employees at the worksite.58� Moreover, applicable laws, company practice, or policies do not provide that 13th month pay, and sick and vacation leave pay benefits, may be withheld pending satisfaction of liabilities by the employee.59chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Petitioners also point out that the National Labor Relations Commission and the Court of Appeals have no jurisdiction to declare that petitioners� act of withholding possession of respondent Solid Mills� property is illegal.60� The regular courts have jurisdiction over this issue.61� It is independent from the issue of payment of petitioners� monetary benefits.62chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

For these reasons, and because, according to petitioners, the amount of monetary award is no longer in question, petitioners are entitled to 12% interest per annum.63chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Petitioners also argue that Teodora Mahilom and Carlito Damian are entitled to their claims.� They insist that Teodora Mahilom did not receive her retirement benefits and that Carlito Damian did not receive his separation benefits.64chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Respondents Solid Mills and Philip Ang, in their joint comment, argue that petitioners� failure to turn over respondent Solid Mills� property �constituted an unsatisfied accountability� for which reason �petitioners� benefits could rightfully be withheld.�65� The term �accountability� should be given its natural and ordinary meaning.66� Thus, it should be interpreted as �a state of being liable or responsible,� or �obligation.�67� Petitioners� differentiation between accountabilities incurred while performing jobs at the worksite and accountabilities incurred outside the worksite is baseless because the agreement with NAFLU merely stated �accountabilities,� without qualification.68chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

On the removal of the award of 12% interest per annum, respondents argue that such removal was proper since respondent Solid Mills was justified in withholding the monetary claims.69chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Respondents argue that Teodora Mahilom had no more cause of action for retirement benefits claim.70� She had already retired more than a decade before Solid Mills� closure.� She also already received her retirement benefits in 1991.71� Teodora Mahilom�s claim was also not included in the complaint filed before the Labor Arbiter.� It was improper to raise this claim for the first time on appeal.� In any case, Teodora Mahilom�s claim was asserted long after the three-year prescriptive period provided in Article 291 of the Labor Code.72chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Lastly, according to respondents, it would be unjust if Carlito Damian would be allowed to receive monetary benefits again, which he, admittedly, already received from Solid Mills.73chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

I


The National Labor Relations
Commission may preliminarily
determine issues related to rights
arising from an employer-employee
relationship


The National Labor Relations Commission has jurisdiction to determine, preliminarily, the parties� rights over a property, when it is necessary to determine an issue related to rights or claims arising from an employer-employee relationship.

Article 217 provides that the Labor Arbiter, in his or her original jurisdiction, and the National Labor Relations Commission, in its appellate jurisdiction, may determine issues involving claims arising from employer-employee relations.� Thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

ART. 217. JURISDICTION OF LABOR ARBITERS AND THE COMMISSION. � (1) Except as otherwise provided under this Code, the Labor Arbiters shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide within thirty (30) calendar days after the submission of the case by the parties for decision without extension, even in the absence of stenographic notes, the following cases involving workers, whether agricultural or non-agricultural:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary
  1. Unfair labor practice cases;
  2. Termination disputes;
  3. If accompanied with a claim for reinstatement, those cases that workers may file involving wages, rates of pay, hours of work and other terms and conditions of employment;
  4. Claims for actual, moral, exemplary and other forms of damages arising from the employer-employee relations;
  5. Cases arising from any violation of Article 264 of this Code, including questions involving the legality of strikes and lockouts; and
  6. Except claims for Employees Compensation, Social Security, Medicare and maternity benefits, all other claims, arising from employer-employee relations including those of persons in domestic or household service, involving an amount exceeding five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), regardless of whether accompanied with a claim for reinstatement.
(2) The Commission shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by Labor Arbiters. (Emphasis supplied)

Petitioners� claim that they have the right to the immediate release of their benefits as employees separated from respondent Solid Mills is a question arising from the employer-employee relationship between the parties.

Claims arising from an employer-employee relationship are not limited to claims by an employee.� Employers may also have claims against the employee, which arise from the same relationship.

In Ba�ez v. Valdevilla,74 this court ruled that Article 217 of the Labor Code also applies to employers� claim for damages, which arises from or is connected with the labor issue.� Thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Whereas this Court in a number of occasions had applied the jurisdictional provisions of Article 217 to claims for damages filed by employees, we hold that by the designating clause �arising from the employer-employee relations� Article 217 should apply with equal force to the claim of an employer for actual damages against its dismissed employee, where the basis for the claim arises from or is necessarily connected with the fact of termination, and should be entered as a counterclaim in the illegal dismissal case.75

Ba�ez was cited in Domondon v. National Labor Relations Commission.76� One of the issues in Domondon is whether the Labor Arbiter has jurisdiction to decide an issue on the transfer of ownership of a vehicle assigned to the employee.� It was argued that only regular courts have jurisdiction to decide the issue.77chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

This court ruled that since the transfer of ownership of the vehicle to the employee was connected to his separation from the employer and arose from the employer-employee relationship of the parties, the employer�s claim fell within the Labor Arbiter�s jurisdiction.78chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

As a general rule, therefore, a claim only needs to be sufficiently connected to the labor issue raised and must arise from an employer-employee relationship for the labor tribunals to have jurisdiction.

In this case, respondent Solid Mills claims that its properties are in petitioners� possession by virtue of their status as its employees.� Respondent Solid Mills allowed petitioners to use its property as an act of liberality.� Put in other words, it would not have allowed petitioners to use its property had they not been its employees.� The return of its properties in petitioners� possession by virtue of their status as employees is an issue that must be resolved to determine whether benefits can be released immediately.� The issue raised by the employer is, therefore, connected to petitioners� claim for benefits and is sufficiently intertwined with the parties� employer-employee relationship.� Thus, it is properly within the labor tribunals� jurisdiction.

II

Institution of clearance procedures
has legal bases


Requiring clearance before the release of last payments to the employee is a standard procedure among employers, whether public or private.� Clearance procedures are instituted to ensure that the properties, real or personal, belonging to the employer but are in the possession of the separated employee, are returned to the employer before the employee�s departure.

As a general rule, employers are prohibited from withholding wages from employees.� The Labor Code provides:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Art. 116. Withholding of wages and kickbacks prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to withhold any amount from the wages of a worker or induce him to give up any part of his wages by force, stealth, intimidation, threat or by any other means whatsoever without the worker�s consent.

The Labor Code also prohibits the elimination or diminution of benefits. Thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Art. 100. Prohibition against elimination or diminution of benefits. Nothing in this Book shall be construed to eliminate or in any way diminish supplements, or other employee benefits being enjoyed at the time of promulgation of this Code.

However, our law supports the employers� institution of clearance procedures before the release of wages.� As an exception to the general rule that wages may not be withheld and benefits may not be diminished, the Labor Code provides:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Art. 113. Wage deduction. No employer, in his own behalf or in behalf of any person, shall make any deduction from the wages of his employees, except:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

1. In cases where the worker is insured with his consent by the employer, and the deduction is to recompense the employer for the amount paid by him as premium on the insurance;chanrobleslaw

2. For union dues, in cases where the right of the worker or his union to check-off has been recognized by the employer or authorized in writing by the individual worker concerned; and

3. In cases where the employer is authorized by law or regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment. (Emphasis supplied)

The Civil Code provides that the employer is authorized to withhold wages for debts due:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Article 1706. Withholding of the wages, except for a debt due, shall not be made by the employer.cralawred

�Debt� in this case refers to any obligation due from the employee to the employer.� It includes any accountability that the employee may have to the employer.� There is no reason to limit its scope to uniforms and equipment, as petitioners would argue.

More importantly, respondent Solid Mills and NAFLU, the union representing petitioners, agreed that the release of petitioners� benefits shall be �less accountabilities.�

�Accountability,� in its ordinary sense, means obligation or debt.� The ordinary meaning of the term �accountability� does not limit the definition of accountability to those incurred in the worksite.� As long as the debt or obligation was incurred by virtue of the employer-employee relationship, generally, it shall be included in the employee�s accountabilities that are subject to clearance procedures.

It may be true that not all employees enjoyed the privilege of staying in respondent Solid Mills� property.� However, this alone does not imply that this privilege when enjoyed was not a result of the employer-employee relationship.� Those who did avail of the privilege were employees of respondent Solid Mills.� Petitioners� possession should, therefore, be included in the term �accountability.�

Accountabilities of employees are personal.� They need not be uniform among all employees in order to be included in accountabilities incurred by virtue of an employer-employee relationship.

Petitioners do not categorically deny respondent Solid Mills� ownership of the property, and they do not claim superior right to it.� What can be gathered from the findings of the Labor Arbiter, National Labor Relations Commission, and the Court of Appeals is that respondent Solid Mills allowed the use of its property for the benefit of petitioners as its employees.� Petitioners were merely allowed to possess and use it out of respondent Solid Mills� liberality.� The employer may, therefore, demand the property at will.79chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

The return of the property�s possession became an obligation or liability on the part of the employees when the employer-employee relationship ceased.� Thus, respondent Solid Mills has the right to withhold petitioners� wages and benefits because of this existing debt or liability.� In Solas v. Power and Telephone Supply Phils., Inc., et al., this court recognized this right of the employer when it ruled that the employee in that case was not constructively dismissed.80� Thus:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

There was valid reason for respondents� withholding of petitioner�s salary for the month of February 2000. Petitioner does not deny that he is indebted to his employer in the amount of around P95,000.00. Respondents explained that petitioner�s salary for the period of February 1-15, 2000 was applied as partial payment for his debt and for withholding taxes on his income; while for the period of February 15-28, 2000, petitioner was already on absence without leave, hence, was not entitled to any pay.81

The law does not sanction a situation where employees who do not even assert any claim over the employer�s property are allowed to take all the benefits out of their employment while they simultaneously withhold possession of their employer�s property for no rightful reason.

Withholding of payment by the employer does not mean that the employer may renege on its obligation to pay employees their wages, termination payments, and due benefits.� The employees� benefits are also not being reduced.� It is only subjected to the condition that the employees return properties properly belonging to the employer.� This is only consistent with the equitable principle that �no one shall be unjustly enriched or benefited at the expense of another.�82chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

For these reasons, we cannot hold that petitioners are entitled to interest of their withheld separation benefits.� These benefits were properly withheld by respondent Solid Mills because of their refusal to return its property.

III


Mahilom and Damian are not
entitled to the benefits claimed


Teodora Mahilom is not entitled to separation benefits.

Both the National Labor Relations Commission and the Court of Appeals found that Teodora Mahilom already retired long before respondent Solid Mills� closure.� They found that she already received her retirement benefits. We have no reason to disturb this finding.� This court is not a trier of facts.� Findings of the National Labor Relations Commission, especially when affirmed by the Court of Appeals, are binding upon this court.83chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Moreover, Teodora Mahilom�s claim for retirement benefits was not included in her complaint filed before the Labor Arbiter.� Hence, it may not be raised in the appeal.

Similarly, the National Labor Relations Commission and the Court of Appeals found that Carlito Damian already received his terminal benefits.� Hence, he may no longer claim terminal benefits.

The fact that respondent Solid Mills has not yet demolished Carlito Damian�s house in SMI Village is not evidence that he did not receive his benefits.� Both the National Labor Relations Commission and the Court of Appeals found that he executed an affidavit stating that he already received the benefits.

Absent any showing that the National Labor Relations Commission and the Court of Appeals misconstrued these facts, we will not reverse these findings.

Our laws provide for a clear preference for labor.� This is in recognition of the asymmetrical power of those with capital when they are left to negotiate with their workers without the standards and protection of law.� In cases such as these, the collective bargaining unit of workers are able to get more benefits and in exchange, the owners are able to continue with the program of cutting their losses or wind down their operations due to serious business losses.� The company in this case did all that was required by law.

The preferential treatment given by our law to labor, however, is not a license for abuse.84� It is not a signal to commit acts of unfairness that will unreasonably infringe on the property rights of the company.� Both labor and employer have social utility, and the law is not so biased that it does not find a middle ground to give each their due.

Clearly, in this case, it is for the workers to return their housing in exchange for the release of their benefits.� This is what they agreed upon.� It is what is fair in the premises.

WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED.� The Court of Appeals� decision is AFFIRMED.

Carpio, (Chairperson), Velasco, Jr.* Del Castillo, and Mendoza, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


* Designated acting member per Special Order No. 1910 dated January 12, 2014.

1Rollo, p. 39.

2 Id. at 39 and 80.

3 Id. at 40 and 82.

4 Id. at 95.

5 Id. at 40, 80, and 218.

6 Id. at 80.

7 Id. at 40 and 80�81.

8 Id. at 262�263.

9 Id. at 40, 80, and 216.

10 Id. at 81.

11 Id.

12 Id. at 40.

13 Id. at 41, 81, and 323�324.

14 Id. at 40�41 and 81.

15 Id. at 76.

16 Id. at 44 and 84.

17 Id. at 44.

18 Id. at 45.

19 Id.

20 Id. at 141.

21 Id. at 87�88. This decision dated October 17, 2005 was penned by Labor Arbiter Renaldo O. Hernandez.

22 Id. at 87.

23 Id. at 45 and 85.

24 Id.

25 Id. at 47 and 86.

26 Id. at 48 and 87.

27 Id.

28 Id. at 48�49 and 87�88.

29 Id. at 92�116.

30 Id. at 115.

31 Id. at 144.

32 Id. at 142.

33 Id.

34 Id.

35 Id. at 144.

36 Id. at 143.

37 Id.

38 Id.

39 Id. at 146�153.

40 Id. at 50.

41 RULES OF COURT, Rule 65, sec. 1. Petition for certiorari. � When any tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions has acted without or in excess of its or his jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal, nor any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts with certainty and praying that judgment be rendered annulling or modifying the proceedings of such tribunal, board or officer, and granting such incidental reliefs as law and justice may require.

The petition shall be accompanied by a certified true copy of the judgment, order or resolution subject thereof, copies of all pleadings and documents relevant and pertinent thereto, and a sworn certification of non-forum shopping as provided in the third paragraph of section 3, Rule 46.

42Rollo, p. 39.

43 Id. at 38�56. This decision was penned by Associate Justice Angelita A. Gacutan and concurred in by Associate Justices Magdangal M. De Leon and Francisco P. Acosta of the Thirteenth Division of the Court of Appeals, Manila.

44 Id. at 56.

45 Id. at 52.

46 Id.

47 Id. at 53.

48 Id. at 53�54.

49 Id.

50 Id. at 54.

51 Id. at 54�55.

52 Id.

53 Id. at 66�67.

54 Id. at 24.

55 Id. at 26.

56 Id.

57 Id.

58 Id. at 27.

59 Id.

60 Id. at 27�28.

61 Id. at 28.

62 Id.

63 Id. at 30.

64 Id. at 30�33.

65 Id. at 457.

66 Id.

67 Id. at 458.

68 Id. at 459.

69 Id. at 462.

70 Id. at 463.

71 Id. at 462�463.

72 Id. at 463.

73 Id. at 464�465.

74Ba�ez v. Hon. Valdevilla, 387 Phil. 601, 608 (2000) [Per J. Gonzaga-Reyes, Third Division].

75 Id.

76Domondon v. National Labor Relations Commission, 508 Phil. 541 (2005)� [Per J. Puno, Second Division].

77 Id. at 550.

78 Id. at 553.

79 CIVIL CODE, art. 1947. The bailor may demand the thing at will, and the contractual relations is called a precarium, in the following cases:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

(1) If neither the duration of the contract nor the use to which the thing loaned should be devoted, has been stipulated; or

(2) If the use of the thing is merely tolerated by the owner.

80Solas v. Power and Telephone Supply, Phils., Inc., et al., 585 Phil. 513, 522�523 (2008) [Per J. Austria-Martinez, Third Division].

81 Id. at 523.

82 CIVIL CODE, art. 2142. Certain lawful, voluntary and unilateral acts give rise to the juridical relation of quasi-contract to the end that no one shall be unjustly enriched or benefited at the expense of another.

83� See Andaya v. National Labor Relations Commission and International Ham & Sausage Manufacturing Co., Inc., 502 Phil. 151, 157 (2005) [Per J. Panganiban, Third Division].

84 LABOR CODE, art. 1701. Neither capital nor labor shall act oppressively against the other, or impair the interest or convenience of the public.



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February-2015 Jurisprudence                 

  • A.C. No. 7973 and A.C. No. 10457, February 03, 2015 - MELVYN G. GARCIA, Complainant, v. ATTY. RAUL H. SESBRE�O, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-13-2366 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3740-RTJ], February 04, 2015 - JILL M. TORMIS, Complainant, v. JUDGE MEINRADO P. PAREDES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192785, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOMER BUTIAL, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 172509, February 04, 2015 - CHINA BANKING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 174581, February 04, 2015 - ATTY. LEO N. CAUBANG, Petitioner, v. JESUS G. CRISOLOGO AND NANETTE B. CRISOLOGO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209287, February 03, 2015 - MARIA CAROLINA P. ARAULLO, CHAIRPERSON, BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN; JUDY M. TAGUIWALO, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN, CO-CHAIRPERSON, PAGBABAGO; HENRI KAHN, CONCERNED CITIZENS MOVEMENT; REP. LUZ ILAGAN, GABRIELA WOMEN�S PARTY REPRESENTATIVE; REP. TERRY L. RIDON, KABATAAN PARTYLIST REPRESENTATIVE; REP. CARLOS ISAGANI ZARATE, BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE; RENATO M. REYES, JR., SECRETARY GENERAL OF BAYAN; MANUEL K. DAYRIT, CHAIRMAN, ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY; VENCER MARI E. CRISOSTOMO, CHAIRPERSON, ANAKBAYAN; VICTOR VILLANUEVA, CONVENOR, YOUTH ACT NOW, Petitioners, v. BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; AND FLORENCIO B. ABAD, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209135 - AUGUSTO L. SYJUCO JR., PH.D., Petitioner, v. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; AND HON. FRANKLIN MAGTUNAO DRILON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES,Respondents.; G.R. No. 209136 - MANUELITO R. LUNA, Petitioner, v. SECRETARY FLORENCIO ABAD, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO OCHOA, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ALTER EGO OF THE PRESIDENT,Respondents.; G.R. No. 209155 - ATTY. JOSE MALVAR VILLEGAS, JR., Petitioner, v. THE HONORABLE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.; AND THE SECRETARY OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209164 - PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION ASSOCIATION (PHILCONSA), REPRESENTED BY DEAN FROILAN M. BACUNGAN, BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO AND LEONOR M. BRIONES, Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT AND/OR HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209260 - INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES (IBP), Petitioner, v. SECRETARY FLORENCIO B. ABAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM), Respondents.; G.R. No. 209442 - GRECO ANTONIOUS BEDA B. BELGICA; BISHOP REUBEN M. ABANTE AND REV. JOSE L. GONZALEZ, Petitioners, v. PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON; THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REPRESENTED BY SPEAKER FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.; THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE, REPRESENTED BY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.; THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY FLORENCIO ABAD; THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY CESAR V. PURISIMA; AND THE BUREAU OF TREASURY, REPRESENTED BY ROSALIA V. DE LEON, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209517 - CONFEDERATION FOR UNITY, RECOGNITION AND ADVANCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (COURAGE), REPRESENTED BY ITS 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, SANTIAGO DASMARINAS, JR.; ROSALINDA NARTATES, FOR HERSELF AND AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE CONSOLIDATED UNION OF EMPLOYEES NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (CUE-NHA); MANUEL BACLAGON, FOR HIMSELF AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRAL OFFICE (SWEAP-DSWD CO); ANTONIA PASCUAL, FOR HERSELF AND AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (DAREA); ALBERT MAGALANG, FOR HIMSELF AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT BUREAU EMPLOYEES UNION (EMBEU); AND MARCIAL ARABA, FOR HIMSELF AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE KAPISANAN PARA SA KAGALINGAN NG MGA KAWANI NG MMDA (KKK-MMDA), Petitioners, v. BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; PAQUITO OCHOA, JR., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; AND HON. FLORENCIO B. ABAD, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.; G.R. No. 209569 - VOLUNTEERS AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION (VACC), REPRESENTED BY DANTE L. JIMENEZ, Petitioner, v. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, AND FLORENCIO B. ABAD, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203536, February 04, 2015 - CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Petitioner, v. MARIA RIZA G. VERGEL DE DIOS, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10681, February 03, 2015 - SPOUSES HENRY A. CONCEPCION AND BLESILDA S. CONCEPCION, Complainants, v. ATTY. ELMER A. DELA ROSA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206285, February 04, 2015 - VERITAS MARITIME CORPORATION AND/OR ERICKSON MARQUEZ, Petitioners, v. RAMON A. GEPANAGA, JR., Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-15-3298 [Formerly A.M. No. 10-11-120-MTC], February 04, 2015 - RE: REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL AUDIT CONDUCTED AT THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, BALIUAG, BULACAN

  • G.R. No. 207257, February 03, 2015 - HON. RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), Petitioner, v. HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON. EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA ESPINOS, CHARO SIMONS, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, REV. FR. GERARDO GREGORIO P. JORGE, CARLITO A. BALOY, OFELIA D. PABLO, MARIO ESQUILLO, ELLE LATINAZO, EVANGELINE Q. RODRIGUEZ, JOHN CARLO DELOS REYES, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 207257 - REDONDO PENINSULA ENERGY, INC., Petitioner, v. HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON. EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA ESPINOS, CHARO SIMONS, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, REV. FR. GERARDO GREGORIO P. JORGE, CARLITO A. BALOY, OFELIA D. PABLO, MARIO ESQUILLO, ELLE LATINAZO, EVANGELINE Q. RODRIGUEZ, JOHN CARLO DELOS REYES, RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 207276 - HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON. EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA ESPINOS, CHARO SIMONS, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSA, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, ET AL., Petitioners; G.R. NO. 207282 - RAMON JESUS P. PAJE IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, AND REDONDO PENINSULA ENERGY, INC., Respondents.; G.R. NO. 207366 - SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, Petitioner, v. HON. TEODORO A. CASI�O, HON. RAYMOND V. PALATINO, HON. RAFAEL V. MARIANO, HON. EMERENCIANA A. DE JESUS, CLEMENTE G. BAUTISTA, JR., HON. ROLEN C. PAULINO, HON EDUARDO PIANO, HON. JAMES DE LOS REYES, HON. AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR., HON. SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA, NORAIDA VELARMINO, BIANCA CHRISTINE GAMBOA, GREGORIO LLORCA MAGDARAOG, RUBELH PERALTA, ALEX CORPUS HERMOSO, RODOLFO SAMBAJON, REV. FR. GERARDO GREGORIO P. JORGE, CARLITO A. BALOY, OFELIA D. PABLO, MARIO ESQUILLO, ELLE LATINAZO, EVANGELINE Q. RODRIGUEZ, JOHN CARLO DELOS REYES, HON. RAMON JESUS P. PAJE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND REDONDO PENINSULA ENERGY, INC., Respondents.

  • A.M. No. P-14-3241 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3672-P), February 04, 2015 - MARY-ANN* S. TORDILLA, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR, BRANCH 27, Complainant, v. LORNA H. AMILANO, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR, BRANCH 61, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191060, February 02, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TOMAS DIMACUHA, JR., EDGAR ALLEN ALVAREZ, RODEL CABALLERO, LUIS EVANGELISTA, RICKY BARRIAO, LITO GUALTER, TESS GUALTER, BOGS EVANGELISTA, ALIAS THEO, ALIAS NONONG, ALIAS JOHNY AND JOHN DOES, ACCUSED, EDGAR ALLEN ALVAREZ AND RODEL CABALLERO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 194999, February 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GLORIA NEPOMUCENO Y PEDRAZA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 212160, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DENNIS SUMILI, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 201100, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MHODS USMAN Y GOGO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 212277, February 11, 2015 - ROBERT AND NENITA DE LEON, Petitioners, v. GILBERT AND ANALYN DELA LLANA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 176022, February 02, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. CECILIA GRACE L. ROASA, MARRIED TO GREG AMBROSE ROASA, AS HEREIN REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, BERNARDO M. NICOLAS, JR. AND ALVIN B. ACAYEN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205308, February 11, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. OSCAR SANTOS Y ENCINAS, Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 8101, February 04, 2015 - MELANIO S. SALITA, Complainant, v. ATTY. REYNALDO T. SALVE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 202961, February 04, 2015 - EMER MILAN, RANDY MASANGKAY, WILFREDO JAVIER, RONALDO DAVID, BONIFACIO MATUNDAN, NORA MENDOZA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, SOLID MILLS, INC., AND/OR PHILIP ANG, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205889, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SANDER DACUMA Y LUNSOD, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 211351, February 04, 2015 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF JESUS ALSUA, REPRESENTED BY BIBIANO C. SABINO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 196418, February 10, 2015 - TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA), Petitioner, v. THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT; CHAIRMAN REYNALDO A. VILLAR; COMMISSIONER JUANITO G. ESPINO, JR.; AND COMMISSIONER EVELYN R. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200336, February 11, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROWENA TAPUGAY Y VENTURA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-11-2930 (Formerly A.M. OCA IPI No. 10-3318-P), February 17, 2015 - LEAVE DIVISION � O.A.S., OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Petitioner, v. TYKE J. SARCENO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 171222, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. LTSG. DOMINADOR BAYABOS, LTJG. MANNY G. FERRER, LTJG. RONALD G. MAGSINO, LTJG. GERRY P. DOCTOR, ENS. DOMINADOR B. OPERIO, JR., AND THE HON. SANDIGANBAYAN, Respondents.; G.R. No. 174786 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. RADM VIRGINIO R. ARIS, LTJG. KRUZALDO G. MABBORANG, ENS. DENNIS S. VELASCO, AND THE HON. SANDIGANBAYAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209588, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ERIC ROSAURO Y BONGCAWIL, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 10451, February 04, 2015 - SPOUSES WILLIE AND AMELIA UMAGUING, Complainants, v. ATTY. WALLEN R. DE VERA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209295, February 11, 2015 - DIANA YAP-CO, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES WILLIAM T. UY AND ESTER GO-UY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 199445, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PACITO ESPEJON Y LEBIOS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 185115, February 18, 2015 - NORTHERN MINDANAO POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205735, February 04, 2015 - CONCEPCION A. VILLENA, Petitioner, v. BATANGAS II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. AND GEORGE A. DIN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195109, February 04, 2015 - ANDY D. BALITE, DELFIN M. ANZALDO AND MONALIZA DL. BIHASA, Petitioners, v. SS VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC., SUNG SIK LEE AND EVELYN RAYALA , Respondents.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-15-2406 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 11-3638-RTJ], February 18, 2015 - BENITO B. NATE, Complainant, v. JUDGE LELU P. CONTRERAS, BRANCH 43, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, VIRAC, CATANDUANES (THEN CLERK OF COURT, RTC-IRIGA CITY), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 199990, February 04, 2015 - SPOUSES ROLANDO AND HERMINIA SALVADOR, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES ROGELIO AND ELIZABETH RABAJA AND ROSARIO GONZALES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 185666, February 04, 2015 - NIPPON EXPRESS (PHILIPPINES) CORP., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206229, February 04, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. AMY DASIGAN Y OLIVA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 190348, February 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NILO COLENTAVA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 211362, February 24, 2015 - FIRST CLASS CADET ALDRIN JEFF P. CUDIA OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY, REPRESENTED BY HIS FATHER RENATO P. CUDIA, WHO ALSO ACTS ON HIS OWN BEHALF, AND BERTENI CATALU�A CAUSING, Petitioners, v. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY (PMA), THE HONOR COMMITTEE (HC) OF 2014 OF THE PMA AND HC MEMBERS, AND THE CADET REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD (CRAB), Respondents.; FILIPINA P. CUDIA, IN BEHALF OF CADET FIRST CLASS ALDRIN JEFF P. CUDIA, AND ON HER OWN BEHALF, Petitioner-Intervenor.

  • G.R. No. 200308, February 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERA �JOY� ELEUTERIO NIELLES, @ MERA NIELLES DELOS REYES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 195245, February 16, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JIMMY GABUYA Y ADLAWAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 197818, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLAN DIAZ Y ROXAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-15-1851, February 11, 2015 - CHUA KENG SIN, Petitioner, v. JUDGE JOB M. MANGENTE, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 54, NAVOTAS CITY, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. P-10-2872 [Formerly A.M. No. 10-10-118-MTC], February 24, 2015 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. CLERK OF COURT EMMANUELA A. REYES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, BANI, PANGASINAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189669, February 16, 2015 - PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND PETRON CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. ROMARS INTERNATIONAL GASES CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 174161, February 18, 2015 - R TRANSPORT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. LUISITO G. YU, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 183652, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND AAA, Petitioners, v. COURT OF APPEALS, 21ST DIVISION, MINDANAO STATION, RAYMUND CARAMPATANA, JOEFHEL OPORTO, AND MOISES ALQUIZOLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206653, February 25, 2015 - YUK LING ONG, Petitioner, v. BENJAMIN T. CO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204796, February 04, 2015 - REICON REALTY BUILDERS CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. DIAMOND DRAGON REALTY AND MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 173277, February 25, 2015 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. PRUDENCIO C. QUIMBO, COURT OF APPEALS, 20TH DIVISION, CEBU CITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 198223, February 18, 2015 - HEIRS OF TIMBANG DAROMIMBANG DIMAAMPAO, NAMELY: CABIB D. ALAWI, ACMAD D. ALAWI, KALIKO D. ALAWI, ABU ALI D. ALAWI, MOKHAYMA D. ABAB, AND MARIAM ABAB, REPRESENTED BY CABIB D. ALAWI, Petitioners, v. ATTY. ABDULLAH ALUG, HADJI BOGABONG BALT AND HEIRS OF HADJI ALI PETE PANGARUNGAN, NAMELY: HADJA SITTIE SALIMA PANGARUNGAN, AMINA P. ALANGADI, JAMELA P. SANI, ANSARY S. PANGARUNGAN, RAMLA P. PANGCAT, JACKLYN P. BANTO, ACMAD T. PANGARUNGAN, ACMELA P. MAMAROBA, AMERA P. LALANTO, ACLI T. PANGARUNGAN, ASMIA P. BANOCAG, ABDARI T. PANGARUNGAN, ASLIA T. PANGARUNGAN, HANIPA T. PANGARUNGAN, CALILI T. PANGARUNGAN, AND ANSANTO T. PANGARUNGAN, REPRESENTED BY HADJA SITTIE SALIMA PANGARUNGAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 194606, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALFREDO REYES Y SANTOS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 195774, February 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LARRY BASILIO Y HERNANDEZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 193855, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. VIRGILIO LARGO PERONDO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 205867, February 23, 2015 - MARIFLOR T. HORTIZUELA, REPRESENTED BY JOVIER TAGUFA, Petitioner, v. GREGORIA TAGUFA, ROBERTO TAGUFA AND ROGELIO LUMABAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 192718, February 18, 2015 - ROBERT F. MALLILIN, Petitioner, v. LUZ G. JAMESOLAMIN AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 176973, February 25, 2015 - DAVID M. DAVID, Petitioner, v. FEDERICO M. PARAGAS, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 175417, February 09, 2015 - GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ SERVICES COOPERATIVE, INC. (GEMASCO), Petitioner, v. NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (NHA) AND GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ WATER DISTRICT (GMAWD), Respondents.; G.R. NO. 198923 - GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ WATER DISTRICT (GMAWD), Petitioner, v. AMINA CATANGAY, ELESITA MIRANDA, ROSITA RICARTE, ROSA FETIZANAN, ABSALON AGA, ELPIDIO SARMIENTO, FRANCISCO RICARDE, ROMEO CATACUTAN, RASALIO LORENZO, ARTEMIO RAFAEL, MYRN CEA, AND NORMA ESTIL; NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (NHA) AND GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ SERVICES COOPERATIVE, INC., REPRESENTED BY ERNESTO FLORES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 193225, February 09, 2015 - BBB,* Petitioner, v. AAA,* Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10558, February 23, 2015 - MICHAEL RUBY, Complainant, v. ATTY. ERLINDA B. ESPEJO AND ATTY. RUDOLPH DILLA BAYOT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 211454, February 11, 2015 - MAUNLAD TRANS., INC./CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, INC., AND MR. AMADO L. CASTRO, JR., Petitioners, v. RODOLFO M. CAMORAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 188364, February 11, 2015 - K & G MINING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ACOJE MINING COMPANY, INCORPORATED AND ZAMBALES CHROMITE MINING COMPANY, INCORPORATED, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 184827, February 11, 2015 - FELIPE JHONNY A. FRIAS, JR. AND HEIRS OF ROGELIO B. VENERACION, Petitioners, v. THE HONORABLE EDWIN D. SORONGON, ASSISTING JUDGE, BRANCH 211, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, MANDALUYONG CITY; FIRST ASIA REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND/OR SM PRIME HOLDINGS, INC., AND ORTIGAS & COMPANY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 201931, February 11, 2015 - DO�A ADELA1 EXPORT INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioner, v. TRADE AND INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TIDCORP), AND THE BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (BPI), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195412, February 04, 2015 - THE HON. SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, Petitioner, v. NEMESIO DUMAGPI, REPRESENTED BY VICENTE DUMAGPI, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 174365-66, February 04, 2015 - ROMEO BASAN, DANILO DIZON, JAIME L. TUMABIAO, JR., ROBERTO DELA RAMA, JR., RICKY S. NICOLAS, CRISPULO D. DONOR, GALO FALGUERA, AND NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, Petitioners, v. COCA-COLA BOTTLERS PHILIPPINES,* Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214132, February 18, 2015 - SEALANES MARINE SERVICES, INC./ARKLOW SHIPPING NETHERLAND AND/OR CHRISTOPHER DUMATOL, Petitioners, v. ARNEL G. DELA TORRE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207635, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DANTE DELA PE�A1 AND DENNIS DELIMA, Accused-Appellants.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-13-2363 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 13-4149-RTJ), February 25, 2015 - SAMAHAN NG MGA BABAE SA HUDIKATURA (SAMABAHU), Complainant, v. JUDGE CESAR O. UNTALAN, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 149, MAKATI CITY, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10583 [Formerly CBD 09-2555], February 18, 2015 - ROBERTO BERNARDINO, Complainant, v. ATTY. VICTOR REY SANTOS, Respondent.; A.C. NO. 10584 [FORMERLY CBD 10-2827] - ATTY. JOSE MANGASER CARINGAL, Complainant, v. ATTY. VICTOR REY SANTOS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212565, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BENJAMIN CASAS Y VINTULAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 200800, February 09, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. OSCAR SEVILLANO Y RETANAL Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 212081, February 23, 2015 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), Petitioner, v. UNITED PLANNERS CONSULTANTS, INC. (UPCI), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 205952, February 11, 2015 - ATTY. SEGUNDO B. BONSUBRE, JR., Petitioner, v. ERWIN YERRO, ERICO YERRO AND RITCHIE YERRO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 207010, February 18, 2015 - MAERSK-FILIPINAS CREWING, INC., A.P. MOLLER SINGAPORE PTE. LIMITED, AND JESUS AGBAYANI, Petitioners, v. TORIBIO C. AVESTRUZ,* Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187930, February 23, 2015 - NEW WORLD DEVELOPERS AND MANAGEMENT, INC., Petitioner, v. AMA COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER, INC., Respondent.; G.R. NO. 188250 - AMA COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER, INC., Petitioner, v. NEW WORLD DEVELOPERS AND MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181293, February 23, 2015 - ANA THERESIA �RISA� HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, DANIEL L. EDRALIN, VICTOR M. GONZALES, SR., JOSE APOLLO R. ADO, RENE D. SORIANO, ALLIANCE OF PROGRESSIVE LABOR, BUKLURAN NG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO, LAHING PILIPINO MULTI-PURPOSE TRANSPORT SERVICE COOPERATIVE, PNCC SKYWAY CORPORATION EMPLOYEES UNION (PSCEU), AND PNCC TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT & SECURITY DEPARTMENT WORKERS ORGANIZATION (PTMSDWO), Petitioners, v. TOLL REGULATORY BOARD, THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS (DOTC), PNCC SKYWAY CORPORATION, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, SKYWAY O & M CORPORATION, AND CITRA METRO MANILA TOLLWAYS CORP., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 195850, February 16, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ABOLA BIO Y PANAYANGAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 10537, February 03, 2015 - REYNALDO G. RAMIREZ, Complainant, v. ATTY. MERCEDES BUHAYANG-MARGALLO, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 5482, February 10, 2015 - JIMMY ANUDON AND JUANITA ANUDON, Complainants, v. ATTY. ARTURO B. CEFRA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 211666, February 25, 2015 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, Petitioners, v. ARLENE R. SORIANO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 199554, February 18, 2015 - ZENAIDA PAZ, Petitioner, v. NORTHERN TOBACCO REDRYING CO., INC., AND/OR ANGELO ANG, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206004, February 24, 2015 - JOSEPH B. TIMBOL, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10567, February 25, 2015 - WILFREDO ANGLO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOSE MA. V. VALENCIA, ATTY. JOSE MA. J. CIOCON, ATTY. PHILIP Z. DABAO, ATTY. LILY UY- VALENCIA, ATTY. JOEY P. DE LA PAZ, ATTY. CRIS G. DIONELA, ATTY. RAYMUNDO T. PANDAN, JR.,* ATTY. RODNEY K. RUBICA," AND ATTY. WILFRED RAMON M. PENALOSA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 212151, February 18, 2015 - THE PEOPLE OF PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAY HINLO A.K.A. "INDAY KABANG" - (at large), Accused,; RICHARD PALMA Y VARCAS A.K.A. "INDAY ATET," RUVICO SENIDO Y HAMAYBAY A.K.A. "RUBY," AND EDGAR PEDROSO Y PALASOL A.K.A. "LIBAT," Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 203466, February 25, 2015 - CHERRY ANN M. BENABAYE, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184789, February 23, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BEVERLY ALAGARME Y CITOY, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-15-3289, February 17, 2015 - CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, AS REPRESENTED BY DIRECTOR IV MARIA LETICIA G. REYNA, Complainant, v. JOVILYN B. DAWANG, COURT STENOGRAPHER I, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, TALUGTOG, NUEVA ECIJA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184762, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DOMINGO GALLANO y JARANILLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-15-3296 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 14-4364-P], February 17, 2015 - ANONYMOUS LETTER-COMPLAINT AGAINST REYNALDO C. ALCANTARA, UTILITY WORKER I, BR. 70, AND JOSEPH C. JACINTO, ELECTRICIAN, HALL OF JUSTICE, BOTH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BURGOS, PANGASINAN

  • G.R. No. 206942, February 25, 2015 - VICENTE C. TATEL, Petitioner, v. JLFP INVESTIGATION SECURITY AGENCY, INC., JOSE LUIS F. PAMINTUAN, AND/OR PAOLO C. TURNO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 171672, February 02, 2015 - MARIETA DE CASTRO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 175863, February 18, 2015 - NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. LUCMAN M. IBRAHIM, ATTY. OMAR G. MARUHOM, ELIAS G. MARUHOM, BUCAY G. MARUHOM, MAMOD G. MARUHOM, FAROUK G. MARUHOM, HIDJARA G. MARUHOM, ROCANIA G. MARUHOM, POTRISAM G. MARUHOM, LUMBA G. MARUHOM, SINAB G. MARUHOM, ACMAD G. MARUHOM, SOLAYMAN G. MARUHOM, MOHAMAD M. IBRAHIM, CAIRONESA M. IBRAHIM AND MACAPANTON K. MANGONDATO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 204672, February 18, 2015 - SPOUSES RODOLFO AND MARCELINA GUEVARRA, Petitioners, v. THE COMMONER LENDING CORPORATION, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203133, February 18, 2015 - YULIM INTERNATIONAL COMPANY LTD., JAMES YU, JONATHAN YU, AND ALMERICK TIENG LIM, Petitioners, v. INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE BANK (NOW UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 154262, February 11, 2015 - HERMINIO M. DE GUZMAN, FOR HIMSELF AND AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF: NILO M. DE GUZMAN, ANGELINO DE GUZMAN, JOSEFINO M. DE GUZMAN, ESTRELLA M. DE GUZMAN, TERESITA DE GUZMAN, ELSA MARGARITA M. DE GUZMAN, EVELYN M. DE GUZMAN, MA. NIMIA M. DE GUZMAN, ANTOLIN M. DE GUZMAN, AND FERDINAND M. DE GUZMAN, Petitioners, v. TABANGAO REALTY INCORPORATED, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210430, February 18, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RONALD NICAL Y ALMINARIO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 199752, February 17, 2015 - LUCENA D. DEMAALA, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRPERSON COMMISSIONER MA. GRACIA M. PULIDO TAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 163662, February 25, 2015 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JULIE GRACE K. VILLANUEVA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-09-2668, February 24, 2015 - ASTORGA AND REPOL LAW OFFICES, REPRESENTED BY ATTY. ARNOLD B. LUGARES, Complainant, v. ALEXANDER D. VILLANUEVA, SHERIFF IV, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 60, MAKATI CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194488, February 11, 2015 - ALICIA B. REYES, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES VALENTIN RAMOS, FRANCISCO S. AND ANATALIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 204644, February 11, 2015 - ANGELITA CRUZ BENITO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 169303, February 11, 2015 - PROTECTIVE MAXIMUM SECURITY AGENCY, INC., Petitioner, v. CELSO E. FUENTES, Respondent.