FIRST DIVISION G.R. No.

150437 July 17, 2006

SUKHOTHAI CUISINE an RESTAURANT, petitioner, vs. COURT O! A""EA#S, NATIONA# #A$OR "HI#I""INE #A$OR A##IANCE COUNCI# %"#AC& #o'al 460 Su()o*)a+ R,-*au.an* C)a/*,., E00ANUE# CA1NO, A#E2 0ARTINE3, $I##1 $ACUS, HER0IE RA3, JOSE #ANORIAS, #ITO ARCE, #INO SA#U$RE, CESAR SANGREO, RO#AN4O !A$REGAS, JI001 $A#AN, JO5EN #UA#HATI, ANTONIO ENE$RA4, JOSE NEI# ARCI##A, RE1 ARSENA#, ROE# ESANCHA, E4GAR EUGENIO, A#$ERT AG$U1A, RO#AN4O "UGONG, ARNE# SA#5A4OR, RICK1 4E# "RA4O, C#AU4IO "ANA#IGAN, $ERNIE 4E# 0UN4O, JOHN $ATHAN, RO$ERTO ECO, JO5EN TA#I4ONG, #EN1 #UCENTE, ANA#I3A CA$#A1, RIGO$ERTO TU$AON an 0ER#1 NA3, respondents. DECISION AUSTRIA60ARTINE3, J.7 Before this Court is a petition for certiorari under Rule 4 !uestionin" the De#ision$ dated %u"ust &, '(($ pro)ul"ated *+ the Court of %ppeals ,C%- in C%./.R. S0 No. 12&14 3hi#h affir)ed in toto the De#ision dated Nove)*er '4, '((( of the National 5a*or Relations Co))ission ,N5RC-6 and the C% Resolution' dated O#to*er $&, '(($ 3hi#h denied the petitioner7s 8otion for Re#onsideration. This #ase ori"inated fro) a #o)plaint for ille"al stri9e filed 3ith the N5RC *+ the petitioner2 a"ainst private respondents due to an alle"ed :3ild#at stri9e: and other #on#erted a#tion sta"ed in the #o)pan+ pre)ises on ;une '4, ' and '1, $444. The undisputed fa#ts are as follo3s< So)eti)e in 8ar#h $44&, the )a=orit+ of the e)plo+ees of the petitioner or"ani>ed the)selves into a union 3hi#h affiliated 3ith the 0hilippine 5a*or %llian#e Coun#il ,05%C-, and 3as desi"nated as 05%C 5o#al 41( Su9hothai Restaurant Chapter ,?nion-.4 On De#e)*er 2, $44&, private respondent ?nion filed a Noti#e of Stri9e 3ith the National Con#iliation and 8ediation Board ,NC8B- on the "round of unfair la*or pra#ti#e, and parti#ularl+, a#ts of harass)ent, fault.findin", and union *ustin" throu"h #oer#ion and interferen#e 3ith union affairs. On De#e)*er $(, $44&, in a #on#iliation #onferen#e, the representatives of the petitioner a"reed and "uaranteed that there 3ill *e no ter)ination of the servi#es of private respondents durin" the penden#+ of the #ase, 3ith the reservation of the )ana"e)ent prero"ative to issue )e)os to errin" e)plo+ees for the infra#tion, or violation of #o)pan+ poli#ies. On the follo3in" da+, or on De#e)*er $$, $44&, a Stri9e Vote 3as #ondu#ted and supervised *+ NC8B personnel, and the results of the vote 3ere su*)itted to the NC8B on De#e)*er '$, $44&.

On ;anuar+ '$, $444, the petitioner and the ?nion entered into a Su*)ission %"ree)ent, there*+ a"reein" to su*)it the issue of unfair la*or pra#ti#e @ the su*=e#t )atter of the fore"oin" Noti#e of Stri9e and the Stri9e Vote @ for voluntar+ ar*itration 3ith a vie3 to prevent the stri9e. On 8ar#h '4, $444, durin" the penden#+ of the voluntar+ ar*itration pro#eedin"s, the petitioner, throu"h its president, Ernesto /ar#ia, dis)issed Eu"ene 5u#ente, a union )e)*er, due to an alle"ed pett+ !uarrel 3ith a #o.e)plo+ee in Fe*ruar+ $444. In vie3 of this ter)ination, private respondent ?nion filed 3ith the N5RC a #o)plaint for ille"al dis)issal. In the )ornin" of ;une '4, $444, private respondent ;ose 5anorias, a union )e)*er, 3as relieved fro) his post, and his e)plo+)ent as #oo9, ter)inated. Su*se!uentl+, respondent Bill+ Ba#us, the union vi#e.president, #onferred 3ith Ernesto /ar#ia and protested 5anorias7s dis)issal. Shortl+ thereafter, respondents sta"ed a :3ild#at stri9e.: On ;une ' , $444, a Noti#e of Stri9e 3as re.filed *+ the private respondents and the protest, a##ordin" to the respondents, 3as #onverted into a :sit.do3n stri9e.: On the neAt da+, or on ;une '1, $444, the sa)e 3as transfor)ed into an :a#tual stri9e.: On ;une '4, $444, the petitioner filed a #o)plaint for ille"al stri9e 3ith the N5RC a"ainst private respondents, see9in" to de#lare the stri9e ille"al, and to de#lare respondents, 3ho parti#ipated in the #o))ission of ille"al a#ts, to have lost their e)plo+)ent status. Bavin" arrived at no a)i#a*le settle)ent, the parties su*)itted their position papers, to"ether 3ith supportin" do#u)ents, affidavits of 3itnesses, and photo"raphs, in #o)plian#e 3ith the orders of the 5a*or %r*iter. On O#to*er $', $444, the 5a*or %r*iter rendered a De#ision the dispositive portion of 3hi#h reads< CBEREFORE, pre)ises #onsidered, respondents are here*+ de#lared to have sta"ed an ille"al stri9e, and the e)plo+)ent of union offi#ers and all individual respondents are dee)ed validl+ ter)inated in a##ordan#e 3ith la3. Finall+, all individual respondents are here*+ dire#ted to i))ediatel+ re)ove their pi#9et lines and all ph+si#al o*stru#tions that i)pede in"ress and e"ress to petitioner7s pre)ises. SO ORDERED. The prin#ipal !uestion *efore the 5a*or %r*iter 3as 3hether the private respondents sta"ed an ille"al stri9e. Rulin" in the affir)ative, the 5a*or %r*iter held that the Noti#e of Stri9e dated De#e)*er 2, $44& as 3ell as the Stri9e Vote of De#e)*er $$, $44& referred to a prior dispute su*)itted for voluntar+ ar*itration and, hen#e, the+ #annot appl+ to the stri9e sta"ed a*out siA )onths later, 3hi#h #o))en#ed on ;une '4, $444 and ended on ;une '1, $4446 that, for these reasons, the ?nion failed to #o)pl+ 3ith the )andator+ re!uisites for a la3ful stri9e6 that the issuan#e of )e)os *+ the petitioner to instill dis#ipline on errin" e)plo+ees is a la3ful eAer#ise of )ana"e)ent prero"ative and do not a)ount to a#ts of unfair la*or pra#ti#e6 that, instead of resortin" to a stri9e, private respondents should have availed of the proper le"al re)edies su#h as the filin" of #o)plaints for ille"al suspension or ille"al dis)issal 3ith the N5RC6 that, the root #auses of the #ontrovers+ are the petition for #ertifi#ation ele#tion and petition for #an#ellation of

union re"istration 3hi#h 3ere then pendin" *efore the Depart)ent of 5a*or as 3ell as the issue on unfair la*or pra#ti#e then pendin" *efore the voluntar+ ar*itrator, and, hen#e, the parties should have a3aited the resolution of the #ases in the proper fora6 and that even if private respondents #o)plied 3ith all the re!uisites of a valid stri9e, the stri9e is still ille"al due to the #o))ission of prohi*ited a#ts, in#ludin" the o*stru#tion of free in"ress and e"ress of the pre)ises, inti)idation, and threat infli#ted upon non.stri9in" e)plo+ees. 0rivate respondents appealed to the N5RC 3hi#h, on Nove)*er '4, '(((, pro)ul"ated its De#ision the dispositive portion of 3hi#h states< CBEREFORE, the appeal is here*+ "ranted. %##ordin"l+, the De#ision dated O#to*er $', $444 in the a*ove entitled #ase is here*+ va#ated and set.aside. Conse!uentl+, the #o)plaint of ille"al stri9e is here*+ dis)issed for la#9 of )erit. %ll stri9in" 3or9ers are here*+ ordered to return to 3or9 i))ediatel+ and Su9hothai Restaurant to a##ept the) *a#9 to their for)er or e!uivalent positions. If the sa)e is no lon"er possi*le, Su9hothai Restaurant is ordered to pa+ the) separation pa+ e!uivalent to one )onth salar+ for ever+ +ear of servi#e re#9oned fro) their initial date of e)plo+)ent up to the present. SO ORDERED.1 In overrulin" the 5a*or %r*iter, the N5RC held that the petitioner is "uilt+ of union *ustin"6 that the petitioner violated the Su*)ission %"ree)ent dated De#e)*er $(, $44& in that no ter)ination shall *e effe#ted durin" the voluntar+ ar*itration pro#eedin"s and, hen#e, the stri9e 3as =ustified6 that the Noti#e of Stri9e and Stri9e Vote dated De#e)*er 2, $44& and De#e)*er $$, $44&, respe#tivel+, are appli#a*le to the stri9e of ;une '4, ' , and '1, $444 sin#e the sa)e issues of unfair la*or pra#ti#e 3ere involved and that unfair la*or pra#ti#es are #ontinuin" offenses6 that even if the fore"oin" Noti#e of Stri9e and Stri9e Vote 3ere not appli#a*le, the ?nion )a+ ta9e a#tion i))ediatel+ sin#e the petitioner is "uilt+ of union *ustin"6 and that the re. filin" of a Noti#e of Stri9e on ;une ' , $444 #ured the defe#t of non.#o)plian#e 3ith the )andator+ re!uire)ents. %fter the N5RC denied the 8otion for Re#onsideration, the petitioner appealed to the C% and raised the follo3in" issues< I. CBETBER OR NOT TBE STRIDE ST%/ED BE TBE 0RIV%TE RES0ONDENTS IS 5E/%56 and II. CBETBER OR NOT TBE 0RIV%TE RES0ONDENTS CBO 0%RTICI0%TED IN TBE STRIDE %ND CO88ITTED I55E/%5 %CTS CERE 0RO0ER5E %ND V%5ID5E DEC5%RED TO B%VE 5OST TBEIR E805OE8ENT ST%T?S.F %s stated a*ove, the C% denied the petition and affir)ed the N5RC. 0etitioner is no3 *efore this Court, raisin" the follo3in" "rounds< I. TBE CO?RT OF %00E%5S /R%VE5E ERRED %ND DECIDED TBE ISS?ES IN TBE INST%NT C%SE IN % 8%NNER CONTR%RE TO EST%B5ISBED 5%C %ND ;?RIS0R?DENCE

BE R?5IN/ TB%T TBE CI5DC%T STRIDE OF ;?NE '4, $444 IS V%5ID %ND 5E/%5 DES0ITE C5E%R %ND INCONTROVERTIB5E EVIDENCE TB%T< %. 0RIV%TE RES0ONDENTS F%I5ED TO CO805E CITB TBE REG?ISITES FOR % V%5ID STRIDE %S 0RESCRIBED BE TBE 0ERTINENT 0ROVISIONS OF TBE 5%BOR CODE6 B. TBERE CERE NO STRIDE%B5E ISS?ES6 %ND C. 0RIV%TE RES0ONDENTS CO88ITTED I55E/%5 %ND 0ROBIBITED %CTS D?RIN/ TBE STRIDE. II. TBE CO?RT OF %00E%5S /R%VE5E ERRED BE F%I5IN/ TO %DDRESS TBE OTBER ISS?ES R%ISED BE TBE 0ETITIONER IN ITS 0ETITION FOR CERTIOR%RI CBICB F%I5?RE %8O?NTED TO % DENI%5 OF ITS RI/BT TO D?E 0ROCESS OF 5%C.& The petition is )eritorious. The !uestions *efore this Court are 3hether the stri9e sta"ed *+ the private respondents is ille"al6 and 3hether private respondents are dee)ed to have lost their e)plo+)ent status *+ parti#ipatin" in the #o))ission of ille"al a#ts durin" the stri9e. Respondents insist that the filin" of the Noti#e of Stri9e on De#e)*er 2, $44&, the Stri9e Vote of De#e)*er $$, $44&, the su*)ission of the results of the vote to the NC8B on De#e)*er '$, $44&, and their o*servation of the $ .da+ #oolin".off period in #ase of unfair la*or pra#ti#e as 3ell as the seven.da+ reportin" period of the results of the stri9e vote, all satisf+ the )andator+ re!uire)ents under %rti#le '124 of the 5a*or Code and are appli#a*le to the ;une $444 stri9e. In support of this theor+, respondents invo9e %rti#le '12,f- in that the de#ision to stri9e is valid for the duration of the dispute *ased on su*stantiall+ the sa)e "rounds #onsidered 3hen the stri9e vote 3as ta9en, thus, there is no need to repeat the pro#ess. Further)ore, a##ordin" to the respondents, even assu)in" for the sa9e of ar"u)ent that the Noti#e of Stri9e and Stri9e Vote in De#e)*er $44& #annot *e )ade to appl+ to the #on#erted a#tions in ;une $444, these re!uire)ents )a+ nonetheless *e dispensed 3ith sin#e the petitioner is "uilt+ of union *ustin" and, hen#e, the ?nion #an ta9e a#tion i))ediatel+. The undisputed fa#t, ho3ever, is that at the ti)e the stri9e 3as sta"ed in ;une $444, voluntar+ ar*itration *et3een the parties 3as on"oin" *+ virtue of the ;anuar+ '$, $444 Su*)ission %"ree)ent. The issue to *e resolved under those pro#eedin"s pertained to the ver+ sa)e issues stated in the Noti#e of Stri9e of De#e)*er 2, $44&< the #o))ission of unfair la*or pra#ti#es, su#h as a#ts of harass)ent, fault.findin", and union *ustin" throu"h #oer#ion and interferen#e 3ith union affairs. %rti#le '14 of the 5a*or Code provides< %rt. '14. 0rohi*ited a#tivities. @ AAAA

No stri9e or lo#9out shall *e de#lared after assu)ption of =urisdi#tion *+ the 0resident or the Se#retar+ or after #ertifi#ation or su*)ission of the dispute to #o)pulsor+ or voluntar+ ar*itration or durin" the penden#+ of #ases involvin" the sa)e "rounds for the stri9e or lo#9out. A A A A ,e)phasis suppliedThis Court has held that stri9es sta"ed in violation of a"ree)ents providin" for ar*itration are ille"al, sin#e these a"ree)ents )ust *e stri#tl+ adhered to and respe#ted if their ends are to *e a#hieved.$( The rationale of the prohi*ition under %rti#le '14 is that on#e =urisdi#tion over the la*or dispute has *een properl+ a#!uired *+ #o)petent authorit+, that =urisdi#tion should not *e interfered 3ith *+ the appli#ation of the #oer#ive pro#esses of a stri9e.$$ Indeed it is a)on" the #hief poli#ies of the State to pro)ote and e)phasi>e the pri)a#+ of free #olle#tive *ar"ainin" and ne"otiations, in#ludin" voluntar+ ar*itration, )ediation, and #on#iliation, as )odes of settlin" la*or, or industrial disputes.$' In %llian#e of /overn)ent Cor9ers v. 8inister of 5a*or,$2 Chief ;usti#e Fernando de#lared that the prin#iple *ehind la*or unionis) in private industr+ is that industrial pea#e #annot *e se#ured throu"h #o)pulsion *+ la3. Relations *et3een private e)plo+ers and their e)plo+ees rest on an essentiall+ voluntar+ *asis, su*=e#t to the )ini)u) re!uire)ents of 3a"e la3s and other la*or and 3elfare le"islation.$4 The alle"ed dis)issals of 5u#ente and respondent 5anorias, *oth union )e)*ers, 3hi#h alle"edl+ tri""ered the 3ild#at stri9e, are not suffi#ient "rounds to =ustif+ the radi#al re#ourse on the part of the private respondents. The !uestions that surround their dis)issal, as private respondents so affir), are #onne#ted to the alle"ed *rea#h of the :"uarantee: *+ the petitioner not to dis)iss its e)plo+ees durin" the penden#+ of the ar*itration #ase, the ver+ !uestions 3hi#h the+ also lin9 to the other in#idents of unfair la*or pra#ti#es alle"edl+ #o))itted *+ the petitionerHthese )atters should have *een raised and resolved in the voluntar+ ar*itration pro#eedin"s that 3ere #o))en#ed pre#isel+ to address the). On the other hand, if private respondents *elieved that the dis#iplinar+ )easures had nothin" to do 3ith the issues under ar*itration, then the+ should have availed of the appropriate re)edies under the 5a*or Code, su#h as the institution of #ases of ille"al dis)issal$ or, *+ a"ree)ent of the parties, the su*)ission of the #ases to the "rievan#e )a#hiner+ of the CB%, if one is availa*le, so that the+ )a+ *e su*=e#ted to separate voluntar+ ar*itration pro#eedin"s,$1 or si)pl+ see9 to ter)inate the pendin" voluntar+ ar*itration #ase and #o)plete the )andator+ pro#edure for a la3ful stri9e. 0rivate respondents should have availed the)selves of an+ of these alternative re)edies instead of resortin" to a drasti# and unla3ful )easure, spe#ifi#all+, the holdin" a 3ild#at stri9e.$F %nd *e#ause of the fa#t that the ?nion 3as full+ a3are that the ar*itration pro#eedin"s 3ere pendin", "ood faith #annot *e invo9ed as a defense.$& For failin" to eAhaust all steps in the ar*itration pro#eedin"s *+ virtue of the Su*)ission %"ree)ent, in vie3 of the pros#ription under %rti#le '14 of the 5a*or Code, and the prevailin" state poli#+ as 3ell as its underl+in" rationale, this Court de#lares that the stri9e sta"ed *+ the private respondents is ille"al.$4 Cith respe#t to respondents7 aver)ent that assu)in" ar"uendo that the Noti#e of Stri9e and Stri9e Vote in De#e)*er $44& #annot *e )ade to appl+ to the stri9e in ;une $444, the re!uire)ents for a valid stri9e )a+ nonetheless *e dispensed

3ith in #ase of union *ustin",'( the Court finds it unne#essar+ to dis#uss the !uestion at len"th, espe#iall+ in vie3 of the fore"oin" de#laration that the stri9e is ille"al, as 3ell as the #onsiderations of esta*lished do#trine< the lan"ua"e of the la3 leaves no roo) for dou*t that the #oolin".off period and the seven.da+ stri9e *an after the stri9e.vote report 3ere intended to *e )andator+,'$ and in #ase of union *ustin" 3here the eAisten#e of the union is threatened, it is onl+ the $ .da+ #oolin".off period that )a+ *e dispensed 3ith. %rti#le '12,f- in part states< :In ever+ #ase, the union or the e)plo+er shall furnish the Depart)ent the results of the votin" at least seven da+s *efore the intended stri9e or lo#9out, su*=e#t to the #oolin".off period herein provided.: This provision should *e read 3ith Se#tion 2, Rule IIII, Boo9 V of the Rules I)ple)entin" the 5a*or Code, then appli#a*le at the ti)e of the dispute, the relevant provisions of 3hi#h state< Bo3ever, in #ase of unfair la*or pra#ti#e involvin" the dis)issal fro) e)plo+)ent of an+ union offi#er dul+ ele#ted in a##ordan#e 3ith the union #onstitution and *+.la3s 3hi#h )a+ #onstitute union.*ustin" 3here the eAisten#e of the union is threatened, the fifteen.da+ #oolin".off period shall not appl+ and the union )a+ ta9e a#tion i))ediatel+ after the strike vote is conducted and the results thereof submitted to the appropriate regional branch of the Board. ,e)phasis suppliedThe NC8B 0ri)er on Stri9e, 0i#9etin", and 5o#9out ,;anuar+ 2$, $44'- provide the sa)e 3ordin". The fore"oin" provision of the i)ple)entin" rules should also *e #o)pared to the provisions of the 5a*or Code under %rti#le '12,#-< ,#- A A A Bo3ever, in #ase of dis)issal fro) e)plo+)ent of union offi#ers dul+ ele#ted in a##ordan#e 3ith the union #onstitution and *+.la3s, 3hi#h )a+ #onstitute union *ustin" 3here the eAisten#e of the union is threatened, the $ .da+ #oolin".off period shall not appl+ and the union )a+ ta9e a#tion i))ediatel+. The i)ple)entin" rules #larif+ %rti#le '12,#- in that the union )a+ stri9e :i))ediatel+: provided that the stri9e vote is #ondu#ted, the results thereof su*)itted :in ever+ #ase: at least seven da+s *efore the intended stri9e or lo#9out. In su), in #ase of alle"ed union *ustin", the three re)ainin" re!uire)ents @ noti#e, stri9e vote, and seven.da+ report period @ #annot *e dispensed 3ith.'' Chat is )ore, the stri9e had *een attended *+ the 3idespread #o))ission of prohi*ited a#ts. Cell.settled is the rule that even if the stri9e 3ere to *e de#lared valid *e#ause its o*=e#tive or purpose is la3ful, the stri9e )a+ still *e de#lared invalid 3here the )eans e)plo+ed are ille"al.'2 %)on" su#h li)its are the prohi*ited a#tivities under %rti#le '14 of the 5a*or Code, parti#ularl+ para"raph ,e-, 3hi#h states that no person en"a"ed in pi#9etin" shall< a- #o))it an+ a#t of violen#e, #oer#ion, or inti)idation or *- o*stru#t the free in"ress to or e"ress fro) the e)plo+er7s pre)ises for la3ful purposes, or #- o*stru#t pu*li# thorou"hfares.

The follo3in" a#ts have *een held to *e prohi*ited a#tivities< 3here the stri9ers shouted slanderous and s#urrilous 3ords a"ainst the o3ners of the vessels6'4 3here the stri9ers used unne#essar+ and o*s#ene lan"ua"e' or epithets to prevent other la*orers to "o to 3or9,'1 and #ir#ulated li*elous state)ents a"ainst the e)plo+er 3hi#h sho3 a#tual )ali#e6'F 3here the protestors used a*usive and threatenin" lan"ua"e to3ards the patrons of a pla#e of *usiness or a"ainst #o.e)plo+ees, "oin" *e+ond the )ere atte)pt to persuade #usto)ers to 3ithdra3 their patrona"e6'& 3here the stri9ers for)ed a hu)an #ordon and *lo#9ed all the 3a+s and approa#hes to the laun#hes and vessels of the vi#init+ of the 3or9pla#e'4 and perpetrated a#ts of violen#e and #oer#ion to prevent 3or9 fro) *ein" perfor)ed62( and 3here the stri9ers shoo9 their fists and threatened non.stri9in" e)plo+ees 3ith *odil+ har) if the+ persisted to pro#eed to the 3or9pla#e.2$ 0er)issi*le a#tivities of the pi#9etin" 3or9ers do not in#lude o*stru#tion of a##ess of #usto)ers.2' The eviden#e in the re#ord #learl+ and eAtensivel+ sho3s that the individual respondents en"a"ed in ille"al a#ts durin" the stri9e, su#h as the inti)idation and harass)ent of a #onsidera*le nu)*er of #usto)ers to turn the) a3a+ and dis#oura"e the) fro) patroni>in" the *usiness of the petitioner622 3avin" their ar)s and shoutin" at the passers*+, :Huwag kayong pumasok sa Sukhothai!"[3 ! and :"ilagyan na namin ng lason ang pagkain d#yan!"[3$!as 3ell as nu)erous other state)ents )ade to dis#redit the reputation of the esta*lish)ent621 preventin" the entr+ of #usto)ers62F an"r+ and unrul+ *ehavior #al#ulated to #ause #o))otion2& 3hi#h affe#ted nei"h*orin" esta*lish)ents 3ithin the )all624 openl+ #ursin" and shoutin" at the president in front of #usto)ers4( and usin" loud and a*usive lan"ua"e, su#h as :%utang ina niyong lahat!"& to3ard the rest of the )ana"e)ent4$ as 3ell as their #o.3or9ers 3ho refused to "o on stri9e64' ph+si#all+ preventin" non.stri9ers fro) enterin" the pre)ises,42 as 3ell as deli*eratel+ *lo#9in" their )ove)ents inside the restaurant,44 at ti)es *+ sharpl+ *u)pin" into the)4 or throu"h inde#ent ph+si#al #onta#t641 openl+ threatenin" non.stri9ers 3ith *odil+ har), su#h as :%ag hindi sila pumayag& upakan mo!"64F and shoutin" at the se#urit+ "uard :'ranada!" 3hi#h #aused pani# a)on" the #usto)ers and pro)pted se#urit+ to report a possi*le death threat to )ana"e)ent and the se#urit+ a"en#+.4& In the deter)ination of the lia*ilities of the individual respondents, the appli#a*le provision is %rti#le '14,a- of the 5a*or Code< %rt. '14. %rohibited (ctivities ) ,a- A A A AAAA A A A A %n+ union offi#er 3ho 9no3in"l+ parti#ipates in an ille"al stri9e and an+ 3or9er or union offi#er 3ho 9no3in"l+ parti#ipates in the #o))ission of ille"al a#ts durin" a stri9e )a+ *e de#lared to have lost his e)plo+)ent status< 0rovided, That )ere parti#ipation of a 3or9er in a la3ful stri9e shall not #onstitute suffi#ient "round for ter)ination of his e)plo+)ent, even if a repla#e)ent had *een hired *+ the e)plo+er durin" su#h la3ful stri9e. AAAA

In Samahang *anggagawa sa Sulpicio +ines& ,nc.-"(.+/ v. Sulpicio +ines& ,nc.44 this Court eAplained that the effe#ts of su#h ille"al stri9es, outlined in %rti#le '14, )a9e a distin#tion *et3een 3or9ers and union offi#ers 3ho parti#ipate therein< an ordinar+ stri9in" 3or9er #annot *e ter)inated for )ere parti#ipation in an ille"al stri9e. There )ust *e proof that he or she #o))itted ille"al a#ts durin" a stri9e. % union offi#er, on the other hand, )a+ *e ter)inated fro) 3or9 3hen he 9no3in"l+ parti#ipates in an ille"al stri9e, and li9e other 3or9ers, 3hen he #o))its an ille"al a#t durin" a stri9e. ( In all #ases, the stri9er )ust *e identified. But proof *e+ond reasona*le dou*t is not re!uired. Su*stantial eviden#e availa*le under the attendant #ir#u)stan#es, 3hi#h )a+ =ustif+ the i)position of the penalt+ of dis)issal, )a+ suffi#e. $ 5ia*ilit+ for prohi*ited a#ts is to *e deter)ined on an individual *asis< Ran( +n R,-/on , n* Un+on Ill,9al A'*Dno3in"l+ parti#ipatin" in an ille"al stri9e6 shoutin" at the se#urit+ "uard :/ranadaJ: 3hi#h #aused pani# a)on" the #usto)ers6 'Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant6 2 pu*li#l+ denoun#in" the reputation of the esta*lish)ent6 4 openl+ threatenin" non. 0resident stri9ers 3ith *odil+ har)6 Dno3in"l+ parti#ipatin" in an ille"al stri9e6 Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant6 1 use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent or non.stri9ers6 F deli*eratel+ Vi#e *lo#9in" the )ove)ents of )ana"e)ent or 0resident non.stri9ers inside the restaurant6 & Dno3in"l+ parti#ipatin" in an ille"al stri9e6 Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the Se#retar+ restaurant6 4 Dno3in"l+ parti#ipatin" in an ille"al stri9e6 Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant61( pu*li#l+ denoun#in" the reputation of the esta*lish)ent61$ #oer#in" non.stri9ers to stri9e61' Cursin" and use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or Treasurer #usto)ers612

".+8a*, R,-/on ,n*

E))anuel Ca+no

Bill+ Ba#us

%nali>a Ca*la+

;ose Neil %r#illa

Roel Esan#ha

%uditor

Dno3in"l+ parti#ipatin" in an ille"al stri9e6 inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant614 Dno3in"l+ parti#ipatin" in an ille"al stri9e6 use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or #usto)ers61 inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant611deli*eratel+ *lo#9in" the )ove)ents of )ana"e)ent or non.stri9ers inside the restaurant61F Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant61& Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant614 Cursin" and use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or #usto)ers6F(deli*eratel+ *lo#9in" the )ove)ents of )ana"e)ent or non.stri9ers inside the restaurant6F$ inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant6F' Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant6F2 Id.F4 Id.F Id.F1 Id.6FF deli*eratel+ *lo#9in" )ove)ents of non. stri9ers inside the restaurant *+ sharpl+ *u)pin" into the)F& or throu"h inde#ent ph+si#al #onta#t6 F4 #ursin" and use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or #usto)ers6&( Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and

Claudio 0anali"an

Board 8e)*er

Re+ %rsenal

8e)*er

%leA 8artine>

8e)*er

Ber)ie Ra>

8e)*er

;ose 5anorias 5ito %r#e Cesar San"reo Rolando Fa*re"as

8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er

;i))+ Balan ;oven 5ualhati

8e)*er 8e)*er

dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant6&$ %ntonio Ene*rad 8e)*er Id.&' Id.6&2 #ursin" and use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or #usto)ers6&4 Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant6& Id.&1 Id.&F Id.&& Id.&4 Id.4( Id.64$ threatenin" non.stri9ers 3ith *odil+ har)64' Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant642 #ursin" and use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or #usto)ers644 Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant64 #ursin" and use of a*usive lan"ua"e to3ards )ana"e)ent, non.stri9ers, or #usto)ers641 0reventin" and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant64F 0reventin" and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant64& Inti)idatin", harassin", preventin", and dis#oura"in" #usto)ers fro) enterin" the restaurant644

Ed"ar Eu"enio

8e)*er

%l*ert %"*u+a %rnel Salvador Ri#9+ Del 0rado Bernie Del 8undo Ro*erto E#o ;oven Talidon" 5en+ 5u#ente

8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er

Ri"o*erto Tu*aon

8e)*er

8erl+ Na> 5ino Salu*re Rolando 0u"on"

8e)*er 8e)*er 8e)*er

;ohn Bathan

8e)*er

Thus, the 5a*or %r*iter is #orre#t in rulin" that the e)plo+)ent of all individual private respondents are dee)ed validl+ ter)inated. :HERE!ORE, the petition is "ranted. The De#ision and Resolution of the Court of %ppeals to"ether 3ith the De#ision dated Nove)*er '4, '((( of the National 5a*or Relations Co))ission are RE5ERSE4 and SET ASI4E. The De#ision of the 5a*or %r*iter dated O#to*er $', $444 is REINSTATE4. The Court finds the stri9e ille"al and, as a #onse!uen#e thereto, the union offi#ers 3ho parti#ipated in the ille"al stri9e and in the #o))ission of ille"al a#ts, na)el+, E))anuel Ca+no, Bill+ Ba#us, %nali>a Ca*la+, ;ose Neil %r#illa, Roel Esan#ha, and Claudio 0anali"an, as 3ell as the union )e)*ers 3ho parti#ipated in the #o))ission of ille"al a#ts durin" the stri9e, na)el+, Re+ %rsenal, %leA 8artine>, Ber)ie Ra>, ;ose 5anorias, 5ito %r#e, Cesar San"reo, Rolando Fa*re"as, ;i))+ Balan, ;oven 5ualhati, %ntonio Ene*rad, Ed"ar Eu"enio, %l*ert %"*u+a, %rnel Salvador, Ri#9+ Del 0rado, Bernie Del 8undo, Ro*erto E#o, ;oven Talidon", 5en+ 5u#ente, Ri"o*erto Tu*aon, 8erl+ Na>, 5ino Salu*re, Rolando 0u"on", and ;ohn Bathan, all private respondents, are here*+ de#lared to have lost their e)plo+)ent status. No pronoun#e)ent as to #osts. SO ORDERED. %anganiban& 0.1.& 2nares-Santiago& 0alle3o& Sr.& 0hico-"(4(5,6& 1.1.& #on#ur.