1

THIRD DIVISION STOLTNIELSEN MARINE SERVICES, INC. (now STOLTNIELSEN TRANSPORTA TION GROUP, INC.), G.R. No. "#$%&' Present:

PANGANIBAN, J., Ch airman SANDOVALGUTIERREZ, CORONA, CARPIO Petitioner, MORALES, and GARCIA, JJ.

- ver ! Pro !"#ated:

De$e %er &', ())* NATIONAL LA(OR RELATIONS COMMISSION, LA(OR AR(ITER ARIEL C. SANTOS, RICARDO O. ATIEN)A *n+ RAMON ALPINO, Re ,on+ent . DECISION GARCIA, J.-

Be+ore t,e Co!rt -s t,-s .et-t-on +or re/-e0 !nder R!"e 1* see2-n# t,e re/ersa" o+ t,e de$-s-on3&4 dated Mar$, (5, ())) o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -n CA-G.R. No. 51046 and -ts Reso"!t-on dated Mar$, (, ())&, den6-n# .et-t-oner7s ot-on +or re$ons-derat-on. T,e assa-"ed de$-s-on a++-r ed t,e reso"!t-on3(4 dated A!#!st (5, &558 o+ t,e Nat-ona" La%or Re"at-ons Co -ss-on 9NLRC: den6-n# .et-t-oner;s Urgent Motion to Reduce or be E em!ted "rom #i$ing an A!!ea$ %ond. T,e +a$t!a" %a$2#ro!nd o+ t,e $ase a6 %e stated, as +o""o0s: In &58<, ,ere-n .r-/ate res.ondent Ra on A".-no 0as e ."o6ed as

otor an %6 .et-t-oner Sto"t N-e"sen Mar-ne Ser/-$es, In$., a $or.orat-on %ased -n Conne$t-$!t, U.S.A., +or t,e "atter;s /esse" =M>T Sto"t S-n$er-t6.? Res.ondent;s e ."o6 ent 0-t, .et-t-oner, a"%e-t not $ont-n!o!s, "asted !nt-" &5<1 0,en ,e 0as re.atr-ated to t,e P,-"-..-nes a+ter %e-n# d-a#nosed 0-t, Card-a$ En"ar#e ent, P!" onar6 @6.ertens-on and A$!te Ps6$,ot-$ Rea$t-on and de$"ared !n+-t +or sea d!t6. In ear"6 &5<*, res.ondent +-"ed a $o ."a-nt %e+ore t,e P,-"-..-ne O/erseas and E ."o6 ent A#en$6 9POEA:, do$2eted as POEA Case No. 9M: <*-)&-)'5, +or reco&er' o" (ic)ne(( and di(abi$it' bene"it( and c$aim "or !er(ona$ be$onging( and under!a'ment o" *age( a#a-nst .et-t-oner. Pet-t-oner o++ered to a -$a%"6 sett"e t,e one6

$"a- s o+ res.ondent, 0,-$, o++er 0as a$$e.ted %6 res.ondent;s s-ster and attorne6--n-+a$t An-ta A".-no %6 /-rt!e o+ a S.e$-a" Po0er o+ Attorne6 9SPA:. T,!s, on Mar$, (&, &5<*, res.ondent, t,ro!#, ,-s s-ster and attorne6--n-+a$t, eAe$!ted a =Re$e-.t and Re"ease? 0,ere%6 ,e a$2no0"ed#ed re$e-.t o+ t,e s! o+ P&'),))).)) re.resent-n# d-sa%-"-t6 %ene+-ts, ed-$a" and ,os.-ta"-Bat-on eA.enses, and da a#es. On t,e %as-s o+ sa-d =Re$e-.t and Re"ease,? POEA d-s -ssed Case No. 9M: <*-)&-)'5. In De$e %er &5<8, anot,er $o ."a-nt a#a-nst .et-t-oner 0as "od#ed %6 res.ondent %e+ore t,e POEA +or t,e sa e $a!ses o+ a$t-on 9reco&er' o" (ic)ne(( and di(abi$it' bene"it( and c$aim "or !er(ona$ be$onging( and under!a'ment o" *age(:. T,e $ase,

do$2eted as POEA Case No. 9M: <8-&(558, 0as d-s -ssed %6 t,e POEA on #ro!nd o+ re( +udicata. On Mar$, &1, &5<5, res.ondent +-"ed anot,er $o ."a-nt a#a-nst .et-t-oner, t,-s t- e 0-t, t,e Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rt 9RTC: at C!eBon C-t6, do$2eted as C-/-" Case No. C-<5-())5, +or t,e Annu$ment o" the Recei!t and Re$ea(e. In ,-s $o ."a-nt, res.ondent a""e#ed t,at ,e 0as enta""6 -n$a.a$-tated to eAe$!te t,e SPA -n +a/or o+ ,-s s-ster An-ta A".-no. In an Order dated D!"6 &E, &55', t,e RTC d-s -ssed C-/-" Case No. C-<5-())5 +or -ns!++-$-en$6 o+ e/-den$e. T,ere+ro , res.ondent 0ent to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s 0,-$, a++-r ed3'4 t,e RTC;s F!d# ent o+ d-s -ssa". In t- e, res.ondent o/ed +or a re$ons-derat-on %!t ,-s ot-on 0as den-ed %6 t,e a..e""ate $o!rt.314

Unda!nted, on D!"6 (E, &551, res.ondent +-"ed a $ase a#a-nst .et-t-oner 0-t, t,e POEA +or reco&er' o" (ic)ne(( and di(abi$it' bene"it(, a""e#ed"6 ar-s-n# +ro ,-s s-$2ness 0,-"e !nder t,e "atter;s e ."o6. T,e $ase 0as do$2eted as POEA C* e No. (M) .#-/$-&&&'. B6 reason o+ t,e .assa#e o+ Re.!%"-$ A$t <)1(, ot,er0-se 2no0n as t,e Migrant -or)er( and .&er(ea( #i$i!ino( Act o" 1//5,3*4 POEA Case No. 9M: 51-)8-(((' 0as trans+erred to t,e NCR-Ar%-trat-on Bran$, o+ t,e NLRC and ass-#ned to ,ere-n .!%"-$ res.ondent, La%or Ar%-ter Ar-e" Santos. On Ma6 E, &558, La%or Ar%-ter Santos rendered a de$-s-on de$"ar-n#

=-n/a"-d and -ne++e$t!a"? t,e SPA eAe$!ted %6 res.ondent -n +a/or o+ ,-s s-ster An-ta and t,e s!%seG!ent Recei!t and Re$ea(e s-#ned %6 t,e "atter -n %e,a"+ o+ ,er %rot,er. In reso"/-n# t,e $ase, La%or Ar%-ter Santos rat-o$-nated as +o""o0s: T,e .r-n$-.a" -ss!e to %e reso"/ed -s 0,et,er or not t,e s.e$-a" .o0er o+ attorne6 eAe$!ted %6 3res.ondent4 -n +a/or o+ 3,-s4 s-ster and t,e s!%seG!ent Re$e-.t and Re"ease are /a"-d do$! ents to +oresta"" an6 $"a%6 3res.ondent4. A+ter a $are+!" and F!d-$-o!s st!d6 o+ t,e res.e$t-/e ."ead-n#s and .-e$es o+ e/-den$e s!% -tted %6 %ot, .art-es, !nders-#ned +-nds

t,at t,e do$! ents ad/erted and re"-ed !.on %6 3.et-t-oner4 to ne#ate 3res.ondent;s4 $"aare s,ot 0-t, "oo.,o"es t,at 0o!"d render -t /o-da%"e and !nen+or$ea%"e. H-rst, -t -s to %e noted t,at 3.et-t-oner4 d-d not $ontro/ert t,e er-t o+ 3res.ondent;s4 $"a- +or s-$2ness and d-sa%-"-t6 %ene+-ts %!t re"-ed a-n"6 on t,e -n/a"-d Re$e-.t and Re"ease s-#ned %6 3res.ondent;s4 s-ster as t,e %as-s +or d-s -ss-n# 3res.ondent;s4 $"a- . A $!rsor6 "oo2 at t,e do$! ents Re$e-.t and Re"ease and t,e S.e$-a" Po0er o+ Attorne6 ar2ed as AnneA =&? and AnneA

10

=(,? res.e$t-/e"6, 0o!"d read-"6 -nd-$ate t,at t,e6 0ere .re.ared 0-t, ,aste and ,a.,aBard"6 to render -t /a"-d and "a0+!". Bot, do$! ents 0ere .re.ared on t,e sa e da6. In +a$t, t,e Re$e-.t and Re"ease 0as not e/en eAe$!ted !nder oat, so t,at -ts d!e eAe$!t-on -s .!t !nder a $"o!d o+ do!%t. Se$ond"6, e/en #rat-a ar#! ent- t,at t,e do$! ents ad/erted to are /a"-d and 0ere entered -nto /o"!ntar-"6, t,e $ons-derat-on t,ereo+ -s o..ress-/e, !nreasona%"e and !n$ons$-ona%"e. It -s a .!%"-$ .o"-$6 t,at 0,ere t,e $ons-derat-on -n a .!%"-$ do$! ent -s d-s.ro.ort-onate"6

11

!n$ons$-ona%"e to t,e $"a- s o+ 3res.ondent4 0,o 0as de$"ared to %e enta""6 !n+-t, t,e State s,o!"d ste. -n to .rote$t t,e r-#,ts o+ t,e a##r-e/ed .art6 and de$"are t,e sa e do$! ent to %e -n/a"-d and 0-t,o!t +or$e and e++e$t. T,-rd"6, t,e $ons-derat-on o+ P&'),))).)) .a-d %6 3.et-t-oner4 to 3res.ondent;s4 attorne6--n-+a$t $orres.onds on"6 to 3res.ondent;s4 $"a+or "ost "!##a#es and s,o!"d not eAt-n#!-s, 3res.ondent;s4 r-#,t to $"a- +or s-$2ness and d-sa%-"-t6 %ene+-ts as re$o#n-Bed !nder -ns!ran$e ,ea"t, $o/er %e+ore an6 sea an $an %oard an6 +ore-#n /esse".3E4

12

T,e d-s.os-t-/e .ort-on o+ La%or Ar%-ter Santos; de$-s-on states: I@EREHORE, +-nd-n# t,e s!%Fe$t do$! ents AnneA =&? and AnneA =(? o+ 3.et-t-oner;s4 Ans0er to %e -n/a"-d and -ne++e$t!a", 3.et-t-oner4 -s ,ere%6 d-re$ted to .a6 3res.ondent;s4 $"a+or s-$2ness and d-sa%-"-t6 %ene+-ts. T,e Resear$, and In+or at-on Un-t -s ,ere%6 ordered to a2e t,e .ro.er $o .!tat-on 0,-$, 0-"" %e$o e .art and .ar$e" o+ t,-s de$-s-on. SO ORDERED.384 3Iords %ra$2ets added4. -n

13

In $o ."-an$e 0-t, t,e a%o/e d-re$t-/e, ,ere-n ot,er .!%"-$ res.ondent R-$ardo At-enBa, A$t-n# C,-e+ o+ Resear$, and In+or at-on Un-t o+ NLRC, ade a $o .!tat-on o+ res.ondent A".-no;s $"a- +or s-$2ness and d-sa%-"-t6 %ene+-ts as +o""o0s: S-$2ness %ene+-t +or O$to%er &585 9Pa6 ent +or s-$2ness J o.erat-on: K USL&&,1(8.'( InF!r6 and s-$2ness +or Se.t. &5<) 9Pa6 ent +or "ast +-n#er $!t: K *,*E<.1(

14

S-$2ness %ene+-t +or Mar$, &5<* 9Pa6 ent +or s-$2ness o+ A$!te Ps6$,ot-$ Rea$t-on: K (<,<&).E) TOTAL A0ARD 1 US2#3,4/%.'#3<4 On D!"6 (*, &558, or se/en da6s a+ter -ts re$e-.t o+ t,e a+ore ent-oned La%or Ar%-ter;s de$-s-on, .et-t-oner +-"ed 0-t, t,e res.ondent NLRC -ts A!!ea$ *ith Attached Urgent Motion to Reduce or be E em!ted "rom #i$ing A!!ea$ %ond. 354 Pet-t-oner ar#!ed t,ere-n t,at t,e one6 $"a- s o+ res.ondent A".-no

15

0ere a"read6 %arred %6 .res$r-.t-onM t,at sa-d $"a- s s,o!"d ,a/e %een d-s -ssed %6 t,e La%or Ar%-ter on #ro!nd o+ re( +udicataM and t,at t,e /a"-d-t6 o+ t,e Recei!t and Re$ea(e and t,e S.e$-a" Po0er o+ Attorne6 ,ad a"read6 %een .assed !.on %6 t,e RTC o+ C!eBon C-t6 -n C-/-" Case No. C-<5())5 and a++-r ed %6 t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s. In a Reso"!t-on3&)4 dated A!#!st (5, &558, res.ondent NLRC a++-r ed t,e La%or Ar%-ter;s de$-s-on and den-ed .et-t-oner;s Urgent Motion to Reduce or be E em!ted "rom #i$ing an A!!ea$ %ond on a$$o!nt o+ .et-t-oner;s +a-"!re to .ost $as, or s!ret6 %ond 0-t,-n t,e re#"e entar6 .er-od. In so r!"-n#, t,e NLRC reasoned:

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T,e URGENT MOTION TO REDUCE OR BE ENEMPTED HROM HILING APPEAL BOND -s den-ed. Se$t-ons E and 8, R!"e VI o+ t,e Ne0 R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re o+ t,e NLRC .ro/-des: =SECTION E. BOND. O In $ase t,e de$-s-on o+ a La%or Ar%-ter, POEA Ad -n-strator and Re#-ona" D-re$tor or ,-s d!"6 a!t,or-Bed ,ear-n# o++-$er -n/o"/es a onetar6 a0ard, an a..ea" %6 t,e e ."o6er s,a"" %e .er+e$ted on"6 !.on t,e .ost-n# o+ a $as, or s!ret6 %ond -ss!ed %6 a

17

re.!ta%"e %ond-n# $o .an6 d!"6 a$$red-ted %6 t,e Co -ss-on or t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n an a o!nt eG!-/a"ent to t,e onetar6 a0ard AAA.? =SECTION 8. NO ENTENSION OH PERIOD. O No ot-on or reG!est +or t,e eAtens-on o+ t,e .er-od 0-t,-n 0,-$, to .er+e$t an a..ea" s,a"" %e a""o0ed.? T,e a+oreG!oted .ro/-s-ons are /er6 $"ear, t,at a"" t,e reG!-re ents +or t,e .er+e$t-on o+ an a..ea" !st %e ade and $o ."-ed 0-t, 0-t,-n t,e re#"e entar6 .er-od to a..ea", t,at -s: t,e +-"-n# o+ t,e a..ea" and

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t,e .ost-n# o+ a $as, or s!ret6 %ond !st %e ade 0-t,-n t,e .er-od o+ ten 9&): da6s. T,e +-"-n# o+ a Mot-on to Red!$e Bond 0-"" not s!s.end t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e ten 9&): da6s .er-od. I+ at a"", t,e o/ant s,o!"d ,a/e se$!red t,e a..ro/a" o+ t,e Co -ss-on +or t,e red!$t-on o+ %ond 0-t,-n t,e sa e .er-od a""o0ed %6 "a0. Cons-der-n# t,at t,e o/ant +a-"ed to $o ."6 0-t, t,e reG!-re ents +or .er+e$t-n# an a..ea", sa-d ot-on -s t,ere+ore den-ed. T,e NLRC t,en de$reed: I@EREHORE, t,e URGENT MOTION TO REDUCE OR BE ENEMPTED HROM HILING APPEAL

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BOND -s DENIED +or non-.er+e$t-on o+ t,e a..ea". A$$ord-n#"6, t,e de$-s-on dated Ma6 E, &558 -s AHHIRMED -n toto. Its ot-on +or re$ons-derat-on ,a/-n# %een den-ed %6 t,e NLRC -n -ts de$-s-on dated O$to%er (<, &5583&&4 .et-t-oner 0ent to t,-s Co!rt &ia a .et-t-on +orcertiorari 0,-$, t,-s Co!rt re+erred to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s .!rs!ant to -ts Se.te %er &E, &55< de$-s-on -n 0t. Martin #unera$ 1ome &(. Nationa$ 2abor Re$ation( Commi((ion.3&(4 As stated at t,e t,res,o"d ,ereo+, t,e a..e""ate $o!rt, -n -ts de$-s-on o+ Mar$, (5, ())), a++-r ed t,e F!d# ent o+ t,e NLRC, t,!s:

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T,e "a0 -s $"ear. An a..ea", .er art-$"e ((' o+ t,e La%or Code, s,a"" %e .er+e$ted on"6 !.on .ost-n# o+ a $as, or s!ret6 %ond -n $ases -n/o"/-n# onetar6 a0ard. On .er+e$t-on o+ a..ea", -t -s 0e"" entren$,ed -n t,-s F!r-sd-$t-on t,at .er+e$t-on o+ an a..ea" 0-t,-n t,e .er-od and -n t,e anner .res$r-%ed %6 "a0 -s F!r-sd-$t-ona" and non-$o ."-an$e 0-t, s!$, reG!-re ent -s +ata" and ,as t,e e++e$t o+ render-n# t,e F!d# ent +-na" and eAe$!tor6. In - ."e ent-n# art-$"e ((', res.ondent NLRC ,o0e/er "a-d do0n t,e r!"e a""o0-n# red!$t-on o+ t,e a o!nt o+ %ond 0,-$, -t $an a..ro/e -n er-tor-o!s $ases.

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T,ere -s a $a/eat ,o0e/er t,at t,e +-"-n# o+ t,e ot-on to red!$e %ond does not sto. t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e .er-od to .er+e$t a..ea". T,e ."a-n - .ort o+ art-$"e ((' o+ t,e La%or Code and t,e a ended se$t-on E, R!"e VI o+ t,e Ne0 R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re -s t,at t,e red!$t-on o+ t,e %ond s,o!"d %e a..ro/ed 0-t,-n t,e ten 9&): da6 a..ea" .er-od and t,e a..e""ant s,o!"d eAert -ts !t ost d-"-#en$e to o%ta-n t,e a..ro/a" o+ res.ondent NLRC %e+ore t,e "a.se o+ t,e .er-od or e"se t,ere -s a %-# r-s2 t,at t,e a..ea" 0-"" %e d-s -ssed +or non-.er+e$t-on o+ t,e a..ea" d!e to t,e a%sen$e o+ t,e a..ea" %ond. T,-s -s e/-dent +or t,e "ast senten$e o+ Se$t-on

22

E, R!"e VI t,at =t,e +-"-n# AAA o+ t,e ot-on to red!$e %ond s,a"" not sto. t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e .er-od to .er+e$t a..ea".? T,!s t,e .resent r!"e -s !neG!-/o$a" t,at t,e +-"-n# o+ t,e ot-on does not to"" t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e .er-od o+ a..ea" and t,e "o#-$a" - ."-$at-on and -ne/-ta%"e res!"t -s t,e d-s -ssa" o+ t,e a..ea" -+ t,e red!$t-on -s den-ed. AAA. T,!s res.ondent NLRC $orre$t"6 a++-r ed t,e de$-s-on o+ Ar%-ter Santos s-n$e t,e a..ea" 0as not .er+e$ted d!e to "a$2 o+ an a..ea" %ond. AAA AAA AAA

T,ere %e-n# no $a.r-$-o!s, ar%-trar6 or 0,- s-$a" eAer$-se F!d# ent on t,e .art o+

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res.ondent NLRC, t,-s .et-t-on .er+or$e !st +a"". I-t, -ts ot-on +or re$ons-derat-on ,a/-n# %een den-ed %6 t,e a..e""ate $o!rt -n -ts Reso"!t-on o+ Mar$, (, ())&, .et-t-oner -s no0 0-t, !s on t,e +o""o0-n# #ro!nds: I. IN DISMISSING PETITIONER;S PETITION HOR CERTIORARI, IN EHHECT, AHHIRMING PUBLIC RESPONDENT NLRC, T@E @ONORABLE COURT OH APPEALS, IN EHHECT, SANCTIONED T@E DECISION DATED MAP E, &558 OH PUBLIC RESPONDENT LABOR ARBITER

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I@IC@ ON ITS HACE IAS MANIHESTLP RENDERED IN ENCESS OH @IS DURISDICTION IN T@AT O A. AS S@OIN IN T@E UNILATERAL COMPUTATION OH PUBLIC RESPONDENT ATIENZA I@IC@ HORMED PART OH PUBLIC RESPONDENT LABOR ARBITER;S DECISION DATED MAP E, &558, T@E CUESTIONED AIARD IN T@E AMOUNT OH USL1*,<)E.'1 ALLEGEDLP REPRESENTING DISABILITP AND

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SICQNESS BENEHITS HOR OCTOBER &585, SEPTEMBER &5<), AND MARC@ &5<* IS CLEARLP BARRED BP PRESCRIPTION AS PRIVATE RESPONDEN;S COMPLAINT IAS HILED ONLP ON DULP (E, (551M B. T@E ALLEGED MONEP CLAIM IS ALREADP BARRED BP RE0 JU34CA5A, NOT ONCE, BUT TIICE, AS T@E SAME @AD ALREADP BEEN RULED UPON BP T@E POEA, T@E CUASI-DUDICIAL BODP I@IC@ T@EN

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@AD T@E DURISDICTION OVER SAID CLAIM IN ITS ORDERS, TO IIT O -. ORDER DATED APRIL &8, &5<* IN POEA CASE NO. 9M: <*)&-)'5 DISMISSING T@E CASE IIT@ PREDUDICE IN VIEI OH T@E AMICABLE SETTLEMENT ENTERED INTO BP T@E PARTIESM AND

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--.

ORDER DATED MAP (<, &5<< IN POEA CASE NO. 9M: <8&(-558 DISMISSING T@E CASE ON T@E GROUND OH RE0 JU34CA5A.

C.

PUBLIC RESPONDENT LABOR ARBITER ENCEEDED @IS DURISDICTION I@EN @E DECLARED AS RINVALID AND INEHHECTUAL; T@E RECEIPT AND RELEASE AND T@E SPECIAL POIER OH ATTORNEP T@E VALIDITP OH

28

I@IC@ @AD ALREADP BEEN PASSED UPON BP: -. T@E POEA, NOT ONCE BUT TIICE, IN POEA CASE NO. 9M: <*-)&-)'5 AND SUBSECUENTLP IN POEA CASE NO. 9M: <8-&(-558M T@E REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANC@ &)1 OH CUEZON CITP IN ITS ORDER DATED SEPTEMBER E, &55& IN CIVIL

--.

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CASE NO. C-<5())5 DISMISSING PRIVATE RESPONDENT;S COMPLAINT HOR INSUHHICIENCP OH EVIDENCEM AND ---. T@E @ONORABLE COURT OH APPEALS ITSELH IN ITS DECISION DATED DULP &E, &55' IN CA-G.R. CV NO. '*5*1 AHHIRMING IIT@ HINALITP T@E AHOREMENTIONE D ORDER OH T@E

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REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRNAC@ &)1 OH CUEZON CITP. II. T@E @ONORABLE COURT OH APPEALS AND PUBLIC RESPONDENT NLRC GROSSLP ERRED AND GRAVELP ABUSED T@EIR DISCRETION I@EN T@EP STUBBORNLP IGNORED T@E CURRENT POLICP OH T@IS @ONORABLE COURT CALLING HOR LIBERAL INTERPREATTION OH ARTICLE ((' OH T@E LABOR CODE IIT@ RESPECT TO T@E POSTING OH AN APPEAL BOND AS A CONDITION HOR

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PERHECTING AN APPEAL AND @OLDING T@AT A MOTION TO REDUCE BOND BASED ON MANIHESTLP MERITORIOUS GROUNDS IS A SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE T@EREOH. III. T@E @ONORABLE COURT OH APPEALS GROSSLP ERRED AND GRAVELP ABUSED ITS DISCRETION I@EN IT IITTINGLP AND STUBBORNLP REHUSED TO CONSIDER T@E SUBSTANTIAL MERITS OH PETITIONER;S CASE I@IC@ IMPERATIVELP CALL HOR T@E LIBERAL APPLICATION OH ARTICLE ((' OH T@E LABOR CODE AS T@E VERP HACTUAL

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BASIS AND GROUNS OH PETITIONER;S PETITION ARE T@EMSELVES RECOGNIZED BP T@E @ONORABLE COURT OH APPEALS IN ITS DECISION OH MARC@ (5, ())&. IV. T@ @ONORABLE COURT OH APPEALS MISERABLP ABDICATED ITS DUDICIAL POIER OH REVIEI OVER PUBLIC RESPONDENTS AND HAILED TO ENERCISE CANDOR IN T@E DISPOSITION OH PETITIONER;S PETITION.3&'4 T,e .et-t-on "a$2s er-t.

33

T- e and a#a-n, -t ,as %een ,e"d t,at t,e r-#,t to a..ea" -s not a nat!ra" r-#,t or a .art o+ d!e .ro$ess, %!t ere"6 a stat!tor6 .r-/-"e#e and a6 %e eAer$-sed on"6 -n t,e anner and -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ t,e "a0. T,e .art6 0,o see2s to a/a-" o+ t,e sa e !st $o ."6 0-t, t,e reG!-re ents o+ t,e r!"es, +a-"-n# -n 0,-$, t,e r-#,t to a..ea" -s "ost.3&14 Art-$"e ((' o+ t,e La%or Code sets +ort, t,e r!"es on a..ea" +ro t,e La%or Ar%-ter;s onetar6 a0ard, t,!s: Art-$"e (('. A!!ea$.S De$-s-ons, a0ards, or orders o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter are +-na" and eAe$!tor6 !n"ess a..ea"ed to t,e Co -ss-on %6 an6 or %ot, .art-es 0-t,-n ten 9&): $a"endar

34

da6s +ro re$e-.t o+ s!$, de$-s-ons, a0ards, or orders. AAA. AAA AAA AAA In $ase o+ a F!d# ent -n/o"/-n# a onetar6 a0ard, an a..ea" %6 t,e e ."o6er 5*6 7e ,er8e9te+ on:6 !,on t;e ,o tin< o8 * 9* ; or !ret6 7on+ -ss!ed %6 a re.!ta%"e %ond-n# $o .an6 d!"6 a$$red-ted %6 t,e Co -ss-on -n t,e a o!nt eG!-/a"ent to t,e onetar6 a0ard -n t,e F!d# ent a..ea"ed +ro . 9E .,as-s o!rs: R!"e VI o+ t,e Ne0 R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re o+ t,e NLRC3&*4 - ."e ents t,e a+oreG!oted Art-$"e. T,e .ert-nent .ro/-s-ons o+ R!"e VI 0,-$, 0ere -n

35

e++e$t 0,en .et-t-oner +-"ed -ts a..ea" on D!"6 (*, &558, .ro/-des, inter a$ia, as +o""o0s: Section 1. 6eriod( o" A!!ea$. - De9i ion , *w*r+ or or+er o+ t,e L*7or Ar7iter and t,e POEA Ad -n-strator ;*:: 7e 8in*: *n+ e=e9!tor6 !n:e *,,e*:e+ to t;e Co55i ion %6 an6 or %ot, .art-eswit;in ten ("/) 9*:en+*r +*6 8ro5 re9ei,t o8 !9; +e9i ion , *w*r+ or or+er o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter or o+ t,e Ad -n-strator, and -n $ase o+ a de$-s-on o+ t,e Re#-ona" D-re$tor or ,-s d!"6 a!t,or-Bed @ear-n# O++-$er 0-t,-n +-/e 9*: $a"endar da6s +ro re$e-.t o+ s!$, de$-s-ons, a0ards or orders. I+ t,e &)t, or *t, da6, as t,e $ase a6

36

%e, +a""s on a Sat!rda6, S!nda6 or a ,o"-da6, t,e "ast da6 to .er+e$t t,e a..ea" s,a"" %e t,e neAt 0or2-n# da6. 9As a ended on No/e %er 8, &55&: AAA AAA AAA Section 3. Re7ui(ite( "or 6er"ection o" A!!ea$. - 9a: T;e *,,e*: ;*:: 7e 8i:e+ wit;in t;e re<:e5ent*r6 ,erio+ as .ro/-ded -n Se$t-on & o+ t,-s R!"eM s,a"" %e !nder oat, wit; ,roo8 o8 ,*65ent o8 t;e re>!ire+ *,,e*: 8ee and t,e ,o tin< o8 * 9* ; or !ret6 7on+ as .ro/-ded on Se$t-on * o+ t,-s R!"eM s,a"" %e a$$o .an-ed %6 a e orand! o+ a..ea" 0,-$, s,a"" state t,e #ro!nds re"-ed !.on and t,e ar#! ents -n s!..ort t,ereo+M t,e

37

re"-e+ .ra6ed +orM and a state ent o+ t,e date 0,en t,e a..e""ant re$e-/ed t,e a..ea"ed de$-s-on, order or a0ard and .roo+ o+ ser/-$e on t,e ot,er .art6 o+ s!$, a..ea". A ere not-$e o+ a..ea" 0-t,o!t $o ."6-n# 0-t, t,e ot,er reG!-s-tes a+orestated s,a"" not sto. t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e .er-od +or .er+e$t-n# an a..ea". AAA AAA AAA Section 6. %ond. - In 9* e t;e +e9i ion o8 a L*7or Ar7iter, POEA Ad -n-strator and Re#-ona" D-re$tor or ,-s d!"6 a!t,or-Bed ,ear-n# o++-$er invo:ve * 5onet*r6 *w*r+, *n *,,e*: 76 t;e e5,:o6er ;*:: 7e ,er8e9te+

38

on:6 !,on t;e ,o tin< o8 * 9* ; or !ret6 7on+ -ss!ed %6 a re.!ta%"e %ond-n# $o .an6 d!"6 a$$red-ted %6 t,e Co -ss-on or t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n an a o!nt eG!-/a"ent to t,e onetar6 a0ard, eA$"!s-/e o+ ora" and eAe ."ar6 da a#es and attorne67s +ees. T,e e ."o6er as 0e"" as $o!nse" s,a"" s!% -t a Fo-nt de$"arat-on !nder oat, attest-n# t,at t,e s!ret6 %ond .osted -s #en!-ne and t,at -t s,a"" %e -n e++e$t !nt-" +-na" d-s.os-t-on o+ t,e $ase. T,e Co -ss-on a6, -n er-tor-o!s $ases and !.on Mot-on o+ t,e A..e""ant, red!$e t,e a o!nt o+ t,e %ond. T;e 8i:in<, ;owever, o8 t;e 5otion to

39

re+!9e 7on+ ;*:: not to, t;e r!nnin< o8 t;e ,erio+ to ,er8e9t *,,e*:. 9As a ended on No/e %er *, &55E: Section 7. No E ten(ion o" 6eriod. - No ot-on or reG!est +or eAtens-on o+ t,e .er-od 0-t,-n 0,-$, to .er+e$t an a..ea" s,a"" %e a""o0ed.3E .,as-s o!rs4 E/-dent -t -s +ro t,e +ore#o-n# t,at an a..ea" +ro r!"-n#s o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter to t,e NLRC !st %e .er+e$ted 0-t,-n ten 9&): $a"endar da6s +ro re$e-.t t,ereo+, ot,er0-se t,e sa e s,a"" %e$o e +-na" and eAe$!tor6. In a F!d# ent -n/o"/-n# a onetar6 a0ard, t,e a..ea" s,a"" %e .er+e$ted on"6 !.on 9&: ,roo8 o8 ,*65ent o+ t,e reG!-red *,,e*: 8ee and 9(: ,o tin< o8

40

* 9* ; or !ret6 7on+ -ss!ed %6 a re.!ta%"e %ond-n# $o .an6 and 9': +-"-n# o+ a 5e5or*n+!5 o8 *,,e*:. A ere not-$e o+ a..ea" 0-t,o!t $o ."6-n# 0-t, t,e ot,er reG!-s-tes ent-oned s,a"" not sto. t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e .er-od +or .er+e$t-on o+ a..ea".3&E4 @ere, .et-t-oner re$e-/ed t,e de$-s-on o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter on D!"6 &<, &558. Hro D!"6 &<, &558, .et-t-oner ,as a "- -ted .er-od o+ ten 9&): da6s to .er+e$t -ts a..ea". Pet-t-oner +-"ed -ts e orand! o+ a..ea" on D!"6 (*, &558. @o0e/er, -n "-e! o+ t,e reG!-red $as, or s!ret6 %ond, .et-t-oner +-"ed a ot-on to red!$e or %e eAe .ted +ro +-"-n# an a..ea" %ond.3&84 T,e NLRC den-ed t,e ot-on and $onseG!ent"6 d-s -ssed t,e a..ea" +or non-.er+e$t-on. Pet-t-oner no0 -ns-sts t,at -ts Motion to

41

Reduce %ond $onst-t!tes a s!%stant-a" $o ."-an$e o+ t,e reG!-re ent +or .er+e$t-n# an a..ea" !nder Art-$"e ((' o+ t,e La%or Code and t,e NLRC R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re. Ie d-sa#ree. T,e reG!-re ent o+ a $as, or s!ret6 %ond +or t,e .er+e$t-on o+ an a..ea" +ro t,e La%or Ar%-ter;s onetar6 a0ard -s not on"6 andator6 %!t F!r-sd-$t-ona" as 0e"", and non-$o ."-an$e t,ere0-t, -s +ata" and ,as t,e e++e$t o+ render-n# t,e a0ard +-na" and eAe$!tor6.3&<4 T,e reason t,ere+or -s eA."a-ned %6 t,e Co!rt -n t,-s "an#!a#e: T 3T4,e o%/-o!s and "o#-$a" .!r.ose o+ an a..ea" %ond -s to -ns!re, d!r-n# t,e .er-od o+ a..ea", a#a-nst an6 o$$!rren$e

42

t,at 0o!"d de+eat or d- -n-s, re$o/er6 !nder t,e F!d# ent -+ s!%seG!ent"6 a++-r edM -t a"so /a"-dates and F!st-+-es, at "east !rima "acie, an -nter.retat-on t,at 0o!"d "- -t t,e a o!nt o+ t,e %ond to t,e a##re#ate o+ t,e s! s a0arded ot,er t,an -n t,e $on$e.t o+ ora" and eAe ."ar6 da a#es.3&54 T,e andator6 +-"-n# o+ a %ond +or t,e .er+e$t-on o+ an a..ea" -s e/-dent +ro t,e a+oreG!oted .ro/-s-on o+ Art-$"e ((' o+ t,e La%or Code 0,-$, eA."-$-t"6 states t,at t,e a..ea" a6 %e .er+e$ted on"6 !.on t,e .ost-n# o+ $as, or s!ret6 %ond. T,e 0ord =on:6? a2es -t .er+e$t"6 $"ear t,at t,e "a0 a2ers -ntended t,e .ost-n# o+ a $as, or s!ret6 %ond to %e t,e eA$"!s-/e eans %6 0,-$, an

43

e ."o6er;s a..ea" a6 %e .er+e$ted. T,-s reG!-re ent -s -ntended to d-ss!ade e ."o6ers +ro !s-n# t,e a..ea" to de"a6, or e/en e/ade, t,e-r o%"-#at-on to sat-s+6 t,e-r e ."o6ee;s F!st and "a0+!" $"a- s.3()4 H!rt,er, t,e - ."e ent-n# r!"es o+ res.ondent NLRC are !neG!-/o$a" -n sa6-n# t,at =t,e +-"-n# o+ t,e ot-on to red!$e %ond s,a"" not sto. t,e r!nn-n# o+ t,e .er-od to .er+e$t a..ea".? T,!s, .et-t-oner s,o!"d ,a/e seasona%"6 +-"ed t,e a..ea" %ond 0-t,-n t,e ten-da6 re#"e entar6 .er-od +o""o0-n# -ts re$e-.t o+ t,e de$-s-on o+ La%or Ar%-ter Ar-e" Santos -n order to +oresta"" t,e +-na"-t6 o+ sa-d de$-s-on. S-n$e .et-t-oner +a-"ed to .ost an a..ea" %ond 0-t,-n t,e re#"e entar6 .er-od, no a..ea" 0as .er+e$ted +ro t,e de$-s-on o+ La%or

44

Ar%-ter Santos, +or 0,-$, reason, t,e de$-s-on so!#,t to %e a..ea"ed to t,e NLRC ,ad %e$o e +-na" and eAe$!tor6 and t,ere+ore !ta%"e. It -s tr!e t,at t,e reG!-re ent o+ .ost-n# a %ond on a..ea"s -n/o"/-n# onetar6 a0ards ,as %een #-/en a "-%era" -nter.retat-on -n $erta-n $ases. 3(&4 @o0e/er, re"aAat-on o+ t,-s r!"e $an on"6 %e done 0,ere t,ere 0as s!%stant-a" $o ."-an$e o+ t,e NLRC R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re or 0,ere t,e .art6 -n/o"/ed, at t,e /er6 "east, de onstrated 0-""-n#ness to a%-de %6 t,e r!"es %6 .ost-n# a .art-a" %ond.3((4 Pet-t-oner d-d not .ost a +!"" or .art-a" a..ea" %ond 0-t,-n t,e .res$r-%ed .er-od. Pet-t-oner $o!"d ,a/e e/en .a-d a oderate and reasona%"e s! as

45

.re -! +or s!$, %ond as t,e "a0 does not reG!-re o!tr-#,t .a6 ent %!t ere"6 t,e .ost-n# o+ a %ond to ens!re t,at t,e a0ard 0-"" %e e/ent!a""6 .a-d s,o!"d t,e a..ea" %e d-s -ssed, %!t st-"", .et-t-oner +a-"ed to do so. @en$e, 0e +-nd no $o#ent reason to a.."6 t,e sa e "-%era" -nter.retat-on -n t,-s $ase. I,-"e, ad -tted"6, Se$t-on E, R!"e VI o+ t,e NLRC R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re a""o0s t,e red!$t-on o+ t,e a..ea" %ond !.on ot-on o+ t,e a..e""ant, t,e eAer$-se o+ t,e a!t,or-t6 -s not a atter o+ r-#,t on t,e .art o+ t,e o/ant %!t "-es 0-t,-n t,e so!nd d-s$ret-on o+ t,e NLRC !.on s,o0-n# o+ er-tor-o!s #ro!nds.3('4 Ne/ert,e"ess, e/en #rant-n# arguendo t,at .et-t-oner ,as er-tor-o!s #ro!nds to red!$e t,e a..ea" %ond, t,e res!"t 0o!"d ,a/e

46

%een t,e sa e s-n$e -t +a-"ed to .ost $as, or s!ret6 %ond 0-t,-n t,e .res$r-%ed .er-od. As .a6 ent o+ t,e a..ea" %ond -s an -nd-s.ensa%"e and F!r-sd-$t-ona" reG!-s-te and not a ere te$,n-$a"-t6 o+ "a0 or .ro$ed!re, 0e +-nd t,e $,a""en#ed de$-s-on o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, "a0. 0HERE?ORE, t,e .et-t-on -s DENIED and t,e assa-"ed de$-s-on o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -n CA-G.R. No. 51046 A??IRMED. Costs a#a-nst .et-t-oner. SO ORDERED.

47

G.R. No. "4"#4/ &//.

@*n!*r6 '/,

@OSE?INA CADA, Pet-t-oner, /s. TIME SAVER LAUNDRABLESLIE PERE), Res.ondents. DECISION CHICO-NA)ARIO, J.: T,-s -s a Pet-t-on +or Re/-e0 on Cert-orar!nder R!"e 1*& o+ t,e Re/-sed R!"es o+ Co!rt +-"ed %6 .et-t-oner Dose+-na Cada assa-"-n# t,e De$-s-on( o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s dated &8 De$e %er ())8 -n CAG.R. SP No. 51E&E, 0,-$, de$"ared t,e Reso"!t-ons dated ') No/e %er ())1' and (< He%r!ar6 ())E o+ t,e Nat-ona" La%or Re"at-ons Co -ss-on 9NLRC:1 as n!"" and /o-d on t,e #ro!nd o+ "a$2 o+ .ro.er ser/-$e o+ s! ons on res.ondent Les"-e PereB 9PereB:. In -ts Reso"!t-on dated ')

48

No/e %er ())1, t,e NLRC a++-r ed* t,e De$-s-onE dated &E Mar$, ())1 o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter -n NLRC-NCR Case No. )*-)E)8&)' -n +-nd-n# t,at .et-t-oner Dose+-na Cada 0as -""e#a""6 d-s -ssed %6 res.ondents PereB and T- e Sa/er La!ndr6 9TSL:. T,e Pet-t-on at %ar ste ed +ro a Co ."a-nt8 dated (& Ma6 ())' +-"ed %e+ore t,e NLRC %6 .et-t-oner a#a-nst res.ondents +or -""e#a" d-s -ssa", !nder.a6 ent o+ sa"ar6, non.a6 ent o+ o/ert- e .a6, ,o"-da6 .a6, .re -! .a6 +or ,o"-da6 and rest da6 .a6, ser/-$e -n$ent-/e "ea/e .a6, &'t, ont, .a6, ECOLA, se.arat-on .a6 and attorne6;s +ees. T,e Co ."a-nt 0as do$2eted as NLRC-NCR Case No. )*)E)8&-)'. Res.ondent TSL -s a so"e .ro.r-etors,-. en#a#ed -n t,e "a!ndr6 %!s-ness. Res.ondent PereB -s t,e o0ner>.ro.r-etor o+ TSL.<

49

Pet-t-oner a""e#ed t,at s,e 0as e ."o6ed %6 t,e res.ondents on (< Se.te %er ())( as Presser, re$e-/-n# a sa"ar6 o+P(().)) .er da6. S,e 0or2ed +or &( ,o!rs a da6, +ro 5:)) a. . to 5:)) .. ., %!t s,e 0as not .a-d o/ert- e .a6. S,e a"so d-d not re$e-/e ,o"-da6 .a6, .re -! .a6 +or ,o"-da6s and rest da6s, * da6s ser/-$e -n$ent-/e "ea/e .a6 9SILP:, and &'t, ont, .a6. I,-"e s,e 0as 0or2-n# on 8 Ma6 ())', t,e ana#e ent $a""ed ,er attent-on +or G!arre"-n# 0-t, ,er $o-e ."o6ee. I-t,o!t #-/-n# ,er an o..ort!n-t6 to eA."a-n and de+end ,er s-de, .et-t-oner 0as sent ,o e and .re/ented to 0or2 +!rt,er, $o .e""-n# ,er to +-"e t,e Co ."a-nt +or -""e#a" d-s -ssa" a#a-nst res.ondents. Res.ondents +a-"ed to a..ear +or t,e ent-re .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter. T,e La%or Ar%-ter ,eard t,e $ase eA .arte d-re$t-n# t,e .et-t-oner to +-"e ,er .os-t-on .a.er.5 On t,e %as-s o+ t,e .et-t-oner;s

50

.os-t-on .a.er, t,e $ase 0as s!% -tted +or de$-s-on. In -ts De$-s-on dated &E Mar$, ())1, t,e La%or Ar%-ter r!"ed: I@EREHORE, +-nd-n# $o ."a-nant to ,a/e %een -""e#a""6 d-s -ssed, s,e -s ent-t"ed to .a6 ent o+ se.arat-on .a6 -n "-e! o+ re-nstate ent as a+orestated and %a$20a#es. A$$ord-n#"6, res.ondents T- e Sa/er La!ndr6 and Les"-e PereB are ,ere%6 ordered to .a6 $o ."a-nant t,e +o""o0-n#: &. P 8,(<).)) - se.arat-on .a6 (. P<),*E'.&8 - %a$20a#es +ro Ma6 8, ())' to date o+ t,-s de$-s-on 0,-$, 0-"" +!rt,er %e $o .!ted !nt-" +-na"-t6 o+ t,-s de$-s-on '. P *,E8).)) - sa"ar6 d-++erent-a"s +ro Se.te %er (<, ())( to Ma6 8, ())' 1. P *,E8).E) - ECOLA

51

*. P(5,*'1.'< - o/ert- e .a6 P&(<,8&<.8* - TOTAL E. P&(,<8&.<< - &)U o+ t,e tota" a0ard as and %6 0a6 o+ attorne6;s +ees. P&1&,*5).E' - TOTAL MONETARP AIARD A"" ot,er $"a- s are ordered DISMISSED +or "a$2 o+ er-t.&) On (& D!ne ())1, res.ondents a..ea"ed to t,e NLRC&& essent-a""6 ar#!-n# t,at t,e6 0ere den-ed d!e .ro$ess on t,e #ro!nd o+ - .ro.er ser/-$e o+ s! ons and t,at t,e onetar6 a0ard -n +a/or o+ .et-t-oner 0as 0-t,o!t %as-s. Res.ondents; a..ea" 0as do$2eted as CA No. )1)8('-)1. T,e NLRC -ss!ed -ts Reso"!t-on dated ') No/e %er ())1, s!sta-n-n# t,e +-nd-n# o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter t,at .et-t-oner 0as -""e#a""6 d-s -ssed:

52

Con$"!s-/e"6 o+ +-rst - .ress-on, 3,ere-n .et-t-oner4 +-"ed ,er /er-+-ed $o ."a-nt on Ma6 (&, ())', a""e#-n# a on# ot,ers, t,e +a$t o+ ,er d-s -ssa" on Ma6 8, ())'. T,erea+ter, 3.et-t-oner4 s!% -tted ,er /er-+-ed Pos-t-on Pa.er 0,-$, ta2es t,e ."a$e o+ ,er d-re$t test- on-es 0,-$, s!%stant-ate ,er $"a- +or -""e#a" d-s -ssa", stat-n# 0-t, .art-$!"ar-t6 t,e +a$ts attend-n# ,er -""e#a" d-s -ssa" as +o""o0s: VA A A. On Ma6 8, ())', 0,-"e 0or2-n#, ,er attent-on 0as $a""ed to t,e O++-$e %6 Mana#e ent and a$$!sed ,er o+ G!arre"-n# 0-t, an e ."o6ee o+ t,e Co .an6. Hro t,ere, and 0-t,o!t #-/-n# ,er an o..ort!n-t6 to eA."a-n and de+end ,er s-de, 0as sent ,o e and .re/ented to 0or2 +!rt,er. A A AV 9Co ."a-nant;s Pos-t-on Pa.er, .. &, Re$ord, .. &': In t,-s F!r-sd-$t-on, -t -s t,e !n0a/er-n# r!"e t,at t,e Von!s .ro%and-V to s,o0 t,at t,e d-s -ssa" o+ an e ."o6ee +ro ser/-$e -s +or

53

$a!se and d!e .ro$ess rests !.on t,e s,o!"ders o+ t,e e ."o6er. Ha-"!re to d-s$,ar#e t,-s %!rden, t,e d-s -ssa" -s ta-nted 0-t, -""e#a"-t6. At %ar, 3,ere-n res.ondents4 +a-"ed to d-s$,ar#e t,-s %!rden. A ere den-a" t,at t,e6 d-d not d-s -ss t,e 3.et-t-oner4 -s not a s!++-$-ent eas!re o+ t,e reG!-red .roo+ to %e"-e or $ontro/ert t,e "atter;s assert-on t,at s,e 0as d-s -ssed +ro ser/-$e, !$, "ess, -""e#a""6M ore so, 0,en 3.et-t-oner4 sat-s+a$tor-"6 narrated t,e !"t- ate +a$ts attend-n# ,er d-s -ssa". In +-ne, +or 0ant o+ F!st or a!t,or-Bed $a!se and -n t,e a%sen$e o+ d!e .ro$ess, t,e d-s -ssa" o+ 3.et-t-oner4 +ro ser/-$e -s t,ere+ore ta-nted 0-t, -""e#a"-t6.&( T,e NLRC d-d not #-/e $reden$e to res.ondents; ar#! ent t,at t,e6 0ere den-ed d!e .ro$ess:

54

T,e -ss!e -nter.osed %6 t,e 3res.ondents4 t,at t,e-r r-#,t to d!e .ro$ess 0as den-ed -n t,e d-s$ern ent o+ t,e .resent d-s.!te -s no0 rendered oot and a$ade -$ as Ie #-/e 9s-$: t,e t,e o..ort!n-t6 to eA."a-n and %e ,eard t,ro!#, t,e F!d-$-o!s reso"!t-on o+ t,e s!%stant-/e er-ts o+ t,-s $ase: VT,e .art6 0,o ,as ,ad a ."e o..ort!n-t6 to .resent -ts s-de o+ t,e $ontro/ers6 not on"6 %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter %!t a"so t,e NLRC on a..ea", -t $annot -nter.ose "a$2 o+ d!e .ro$ess +or 0,at t,e +!nda enta" "a0 a%,ors -s s- ."6 t,e a%so"!te a%sen$e o+ o..ort!n-t6 to %e ,eard.V 9CMP Hedera" Se$!r-t6 A#en$6, In$. /s. NLRC, ')' SCRA 55:.&' T,e NLRC t,en deter -ned t,e onetar6 a0ards to 0,-$, .et-t-oner 0o!"d %e ent-t"ed to:

55

H-nd-n# t,e d-s -ssa" o+ 3.et-t-oner4 as -""e#a", s,e -s ent-t"ed, !nder Art. (85 o+ t,e La%or Code, to re-nstate ent and +!"" %a$20a#es. @o0e/er, $ons-der-n# t,at re-nstate ent 0o!"d not %e -n t,e -nterest o+ t,e .art-es as t,ere -s no0 o+ r!.t!red and stra-ned re"at-ons,-. eA-sts %et0een t,e , -t -s ore a..ro.r-ate to a0ard se.arat-on .a6, -n "-e! o+ re-nstate ent. In t,e a%sen$e o+ .roo+ o+ .a6 ent on t,e 3.et-t-oner;s4 one6 $"a- s as t,ese 0ere not s!%stant-a""6 %e"-ed nor $ontro/erted %6 3res.ondents4, t,e a0ards +or sa"ar6 d-++erent-a", o/ert- e .a6, SILP and &'t, ont, .a6 are ,ere%6 a++-r ed. T,e $"a- +or attorne6;s +ees -s #ranted %ased on sa"ar6 d-++erent-a", o/ert- e .a6 and ECOLA .!rs!ant to Art-$"e &&& o+ t,e La%or Code. A"" ot,er $"a- s, +or "a$2 o+ +a$t!a" or "e#a" %as-s, are DISMISSED.&1

56

In t,e end, t,e NLRC de$reed: I@EREHORE, t,e assa-"ed de$-s-on o+ &E Mar$, ())1 0-t, od-+-$at-on on t,e a0ard o+ attorne6;s +ee -s AHHIRMED.&* Res.ondents +-"ed a Mot-on +or Re$ons-derat-on o+ t,e ') No/e %er ())1 Reso"!t-on o+ t,e NLRC.&E T,e6 +o""o0ed t,-s !. 0-t, a S!.."e enta" Mot-on +or Re$ons-derat-on 0,-$, on"6 re-terated t,e ar#! ents .resented -n t,e-r a..ea".&8 In a Reso"!t-on dated (< He%r!ar6 ())E, t,e NLRC den-ed res.ondents; Mot-on and S!.."e enta" Mot-on +or Re$ons-derat-on.&< T,erea+ter, res.ondents +-"ed 0-t, t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s a Pet-t-on +or Cert-orar- !nder R!"e E*&5 o+ t,e Re/-sed R!"es o+ Co!rt, do$2eted as CA-G.R. SP No. 51E&E. In -ts De$-s-on dated &8 De$e %er ())8, t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s ,e"d t,at res.ondent

57

PereB 0as -ndeed den-ed d!e .ro$ess %ased on t,e +o""o0-n# rat-o$-nat-on: As a%o/e-G!oted, ser/-$e o+ s! ons -n $ases %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ters s,a"" %e ser/ed on t,e .art-es .ersona""6 or %6 re#-stered a-", .ro/-ded t,at -n s.e$-a" $-r$! stan$es, ser/-$e o+ s! ons a6 %e e++e$ted -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e .ert-nent .ro/-s-ons o+ t,e R!"es o+ Co!rt. In t,-s $ase, s-n$e 3,ere-n res.ondent4 Les"-e PereB -s t,e so"e .ro.r-etor o+ T- e Sa/er La!ndr6, ser/-$e o+ s! ons !st %e ade to ,er .ersona""6 or %6 re#-stered a-". T,e %a-"-++ $,ose to ser/e t,e s! ons .ersona""6 !.on 3res.ondent PereB4. @o0e/er, sa-d ser/-$e o+ s! ons 0as -n/a"-d as -t 0as not .ersona""6 re$e-/ed %6 3res.ondent PereB4 ,erse"+. T,e re$ords s,o0 t,at t,e s! ons 0as re$e-/ed %6 one A"+redo PereB on D!ne 8, ())'. It a..ears t,at A"+redo PereB -s a $oe ."o6ee o+ 3,ere-n .et-t-oner4. A A A.

58

AAAA Cons-der-n# t,at t,ere 0as no .ro.er ser/-$e o+ s! ons !.on 3res.ondent PereB4, t,e La%or Ar%-ter d-d not a$G!-re F!r-sd-$t-on o/er ,-s 9s-$: .erson. Per+or$e, t,e .ro$eed-n#s $ond!$ted and t,e de$-s-on rendered -s n!#ator6 and 0-t,o!t e++e$t. AAAA T,e "a$2 o+ .ro.er ser/-$e o+ s! ons $"ear"6 de.r-/ed 3res.ondent PereB4 o+ ,er r-#,t to d!e .ro$ess o+ "a0. S,e s,o!"d ,a/e %een a++orded ,er da6 %e+ore t,e "a%or ar%-ter. S,e 0as de.r-/ed o+ ,er r-#,t to %e ,eard and to .resent e/-den$e 0,-$, are essent-a" -n#red-ents o+ d!e .ro$ess o+ "a0. I,-"e -t -s tr!e t,at t,e La%or Ar%-ters and t,e NLRC are not %o!nd %6 te$,n-$a" r!"es o+ e/-den$e and .ro$ed!re, s!$, s,o!"d not %e -nter.reted so as to d-s.ense

59

0-t, t,e +!nda enta" and essent-a" r-#,t o+ e/er6 .erson to d!e .ro$ess o+ "a0.() T,e d-s.os-t-/e .ort-on o+ t,e assa-"ed De$-s-on o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s reads: I@EREHORE, .re -ses $ons-dered, +-nd-n# #ra/e a%!se o+ d-s$ret-on a o!nt-n# to "a$2 or eA$ess o+ F!r-sd-$t-on on t,e .art o+ .!%"-$ res.ondent, t,e -nstant .et-t-on -s GRANTED. T,e assa-"ed Reso"!t-ons dated No/e %er '), ())1 and He%r!ar6 (<, ())E, res.e$t-/e"6, o+ .!%"-$ res.ondent NLRC are ,ere%6 de$"ared NULL and VOID.(& A##r-e/ed, .et-t-oner $o es %e+ore !s(( 0-t, t,e +o""o0-n# ass-#n ent o+ errors: I T@E COURT OH APPEALS DECIDED T@E CASE ON CUESTION OH LAI AND SUBSTANCE DETERMINABLE BP T@E @ONORABLE SUPREME COURT II T@E COURT OH APPEALS IN DECIDING, @AS DEPARTED HROM T@E

60

USUAL AND ACCEPTED DUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS DEROGATORP TO T@E RIG@TS OH PETITIONER.(' Ie deter -ne t,at t,e +!nda enta" -ss!e +or o!r reso"!t-on -n t,e .resent Pet-t-on -s 0,et,er t,ere ,ad %een - .ro.er ser/-$e o+ s! ons !.on res.ondent PereB 0,-$, renders t,e F!d# ent %6 t,e NLRC a#a-nst ,er n!"" and /o-d. Ie r!"e -n t,e ne#at-/e. T,e NLRC R!"es #o/ern-n# t,e -ss!an$e and ser/-$e o+ s! ons .ro/-de(1: Se$. '. Iss!an$e o+ S! ons. I-t,-n t0o 9(: da6s +ro re$e-.t o+ a $ase, t,e La%or Ar%-ter s,a"" -ss!e t,e reG!-red s! ons, atta$,-n# t,ereto a $o.6 o+ t,e $o ."a-nt>.et-t-on and s!..ort-n# do$! ents, -+ an6. T,e s! ons, to#et,er 0-t, a $o.6 o+ t,e $o ."a-nt, s,a"" s.e$-+6 t,e date, t- e and ."a$e o+ t,e $on$-"-at-on

61

and ed-at-on $on+eren$e -n t0o 9(: sett-n#s. Se$t-on E. SERVICE OH NOTICES AND RESOLUTIONS. a: Not-$es or s! onses and $o.-es o+ orders s,a"" %e ser/ed on t,e .art-es to t,e $ase .ersona""6 %6 t,e %a-"-++ or d!"6 a!t,or-Bed .!%"-$ o++-$er 0-t,-n t,ree 9': da6s +ro re$e-.t t,ereo+ or %6 re#-stered a-"M .ro/-ded t,at -n s.e$-a" $-r$! stan$es, ser/-$e o+ s! ons a6 %e e++e$ted -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e .ert-nent .ro/-s-ons o+ t,e R!"es o+ Co!rtM Pro/-ded +!rt,er, t,at -n $ases o+ de$-s-ons and +-na" a0ards, $o.-es t,ereo+ s,a"" %e ser/ed on %ot, .art-es and t,e-r $o!nse">re.resentat-/e %6 re#-stered a-"M .ro/-ded +!rt,er t,at -n $ases 0,ere a .art6 to a $ase or ,-s $o!nse" on re$ord .ersona""6 see2s ser/-$e o+ t,e de$-s-on !.on -nG!-r6 t,ereon, ser/-$e to sa-d .art6 s,a"" %e dee ed e++e$ted !.on a$t!a" re$e-.t t,ereo+M .ro/-ded +-na""6, t,at 0,ere

62

.art-es are so n! ero!s, ser/-$e s,a"" %e ade on $o!nse" and !.on s!$, n! %er o+ $o ."a-nants, as a6%e .ra$t-$a%"e, 0,-$, s,a"" %e $ons-dered s!%stant-a" $o ."-an$e 0-t, Art-$"e ((19a: o+ t,e La%or Code, as a ended.(* 9E .,as-s s!.."-ed.:
1a&&!h81.net

Se$. E. Proo+ and $o ."eteness o+ ser/-$e. O T,e ret!rn -s .r- a +a$-e .roo+ o+ t,e +a$ts -nd-$ated t,ere-n. Ser/-$e %6 re#-stered a-" -s $o ."ete !.on re$e-.t %6 t,e addressee or ,-s a#entM %!t -+ t,e addressee +a-"s to $"a- ,-s a-" +ro t,e .ost o++-$e 0-t,-n +-/e 9*: da6s +ro t,e date o+ +-rst not-$e o+ t,e .ost aster, ser/-$e s,a"" ta2e e++e$t a+ter s!$, t- e.(E Se$. *. A A A 9%: T,e %a-"-++ or o++-$er ser/-n# t,e not-$e, order, reso"!t-on or de$-s-on s,a"" s!% -t ,-s ret!rn 0-t,-n t0o 9(: da6s +ro t,e date o+ ser/-$e t,ereo+, stat-n# "e#-%"6 -n ,-s ret!rn, ,-s na e, t,e na es o+ t,e .ersons ser/ed

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and t,e date o+ re$e-.t, 0,-$, ret!rn s,a"" %e ed-ate"6 atta$,ed and s,a"" +or .art o+ t,e re$ords o+ t,e $ase. In $ase o+ ser/-$e %6 re#-stered a-", t,e %a-"-++ or o++-$er s,a"" 0r-te -n t,e ret!rn, t,e na es o+ .ersons ser/ed and t,e date o+ a-"-n# o+ t,e reso"!t-on or de$-s-on. I+ no ser/-$e 0as e++e$ted, t,e ser/-n# o++-$er s,a"" state t,e reason t,ere+or -n t,e ret!rn. Based on t,e +ore#o-n# r!"es, not-$es or s! onses s,a"" %e ser/ed on t,e .art-es to t,e $ase .ersona""6. T,e sa e r!"e a""o0s !nder s.e$-a" $-r$! stan$es, t,at ser/-$e o+ s! ons a6 %e e++e$ted -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ t,e R!"es o+ Co!rt. Pert-nent .ro/-s-ons o+ t,e R!"es o+ Co!rt re#ard-n# ser/-$e o+ s! ons read: RULE &1 SUMMONS

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Se$. E. Ser/-$e -n .erson on de+endant. O I,ene/er .ra$t-$a%"e, t,e s! ons s,a"" %e ser/ed %6 ,and-n# a $o.6 t,ereo+ to t,e de+endant -n .erson, or, -+ ,e re+!ses to re$e-/e and s-#n +or -t %6 tender-n# -t to ,- . Se$. 8. S!%st-t!ted ser/-$e. O I+, +or F!st-+-a%"e $a!ses, t,e de+endant $annot %e ser/ed 0-t,-n a reasona%"e t- e as .ro/-ded -n t,e .ro$ed-n# se$t-on, ser/-$e a6 %e a++e$ted 9a: %6 "ea/-n# $o.-es o+ t,e s! ons at t,e de+endant;s res-den$e 0-t, so e .erson o+ s!-ta%"e a#e and d-s$ret-on t,en res-d-n# t,ere-n, or 9%: %6 "ea/-n# t,e $o.-es at de+endant;s o++-$e or re#!"ar ."a$e o+ %!s-ness 0-t, so e $o .etent .erson -n $,ar#e t,ereo+. As %orne %6 t,e re$ords, s! ons and not-$es 0ere ser/ed on res.ondents !nder t,e $-r$! stan$es des$r-%ed %e"o0: &: S! ons to res.ondents dated (8 Ma6 ())', re$e-/ed %6 A"+redo PereB,

65

e ."o6ee o+ TSL and !n$"e o+ res.ondent PereB, on 8 D!ne ())' as s,o0n %6 t,e %a-"-++;s ret!rn dated &) D!ne ())'(8M (: Not-$e o+ @ear-n# set on &) D!"6 ())', re$e-/ed +or t,e res.ondents %6 Bet, D-a.o"et, Cas,-er at res.ondent TSL, on & D!"6 ())'. D!r-n# t,e ,ear-n#, on"6 t,e .et-t-oner and ,er $o!nse" a..eared, res.ondents +a-"ed to a..ear(<M ': Not-$e o+ @ear-n# set on '& D!"6 ())', re$e-/ed +or t,e res.ondents %6 Bet, D-a.o"et, Cas,-er at res.ondent TSL, on (E D!"6 ())' as s,o0n %6 %a-"-++;s ret!rn dated (< D!"6 ())'. Pet-t-oner and $o!nse" a..eared %!t t,e res.ondents d-d not a..ear. D!r-n# t,-s ,ear-n#, t,e La%or Ar%-ter reG!-red t,e .art-es to +-"e t,e-r .os-t-on .a.er(5M

66

1: Not-$e o+ @ear-n# set on () A!#!st ())', re$e-/ed +or t,e res.ondents %6 V-/-an Bon, S!.er/-sor at res.ondent TSL, on &' A!#!st ())' as s,o0n %6 t,e %a-"-++;s ret!rn dated &* A!#!st ())'.') On"6 t,e .et-t-oner a..eared and +-"ed ,er .os-t-on .a.er. T,e La%or Ar%-ter set t,e $ase +or ,ear-n# ane0 on &< Se.te %er ())'M *: Not-$e o+ ,ear-n# and to +-"e .os-t-on .a.er set on &< Se.te %er ())' 0-t, a 0arn-n# t,at !.on +a-"!re to a..ear on t,-s date, t,e $ase 0-"" .ro$eed eA .arte. T,-s not-$e 0as re$e-/ed +or t,e res.ondents %6 Bet, D-a.o"et, $as,-er at res.ondent TSL on &* Se.te %er ())' as s,o0n %6 t,e %a-"-++;s ret!rn dated &8 Se.te %er ())'.'& A#a-n, res.ondents d-d not a..ear %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter or +-"e t,e-r .os-t-on .a.er on t,e date -nd-$ated -n t,e not-$eM and

67

E: Not-$e o+ @ear-n# set on 5 O$to%er ())' 0-t, a se$ond VIarn-n#.V T,-s 0as re$e-/ed +or t,e res.ondents %6 VBenF-e,V'( de"-/er6 %o6 at res.ondent TSL, on ' O$to%er ())' as s,o0n %6 t,e %a-"-++;s ret!rn dated E O$to%er ())'.'' Ho""o0-n# t,e eA."-$-t "an#!a#e o+ t,e NLRC R!"es, ser/-$e o+ s! ons on res.ondent PereB s,o!"d %e ade .ersona""6. B!t 0as .ersona" ser/-$e o+ s! ons .ra$t-$a%"eW Con/erse"6, 0as s!%st-t!ted ser/-$e o+ s! ons F!st-+-edW O%/-o!s"6, -n t,-s $ase, .ersona" ser/-$e o+ s! ons 0as not .ra$t-$a%"e. B6 res.ondent PereB;s o0n ad -ss-on, s,e 0as o!t o+ to0n d!r-n# t,e ent-re .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter.'1 G-/en t,-s ad -ss-on, s,e 0o!"d %e !na%"e to .ersona""6 re$e-/e t,e s! ons and "ater t,e not-$es +ro t,e La%or Ar%-ter. T,!s, e/en -+ t,e %a-"-++ 0o!"d ret!rn at so e ot,er t- e to .ersona""6

68

ser/e t,e s! ons on res.ondent PereB, -t 0o!"d st-"" 6-e"d t,e sa e res!"t. To .ro$eed 0-t, .ersona" ser/-$e o+ s! ons on res.ondent PereB 0,o !neG!-/o$a""6 ad -ts t,at s,e 0as o!t o+ to0n d!r-n# t,e ent-re .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter 0o!"d not on"6 %e - .ra$t-$a" and +!t-"e - -t 0o!"d %e a%s!rd.'* I,-"e 0e are not !n -nd+!" o+ t,e NLRC r!"es 0,-$, state t,at ser/-$e o+ s! ons s,o!"d %e ade .ersona""6, $ons-der-n# t,e $-r$! stan$es -n t,e -nstant $ase, 0e +-nd t,at ser/-$e o+ s! ons at TSL, res.ondent PereB;s ."a$e o+ %!s-ness,'Ea o!nts to s!%stant-a" $o ."-an$e 0-t, t,e R!"es.'8 In t,e +a-r"6 re$ent $ase o+ S$enar-os /. V-n"!an,'< ser/-$e o+ s! ons %6 re#-stered a-" at t,ere-n .et-t-oners; ."a$e o+ %!s-ness 0as $ons-dered /a"-d. T,-s Co!rt de$"ared -n t,e sa-d $ase t,at te$,n-$a" r!"es o+ .ro$ed!re are not str-$t"6 a.."-ed -n G!as-F!d-$-a" .ro$eed-n#sM on"6 s!%stant-a" $o ."-an$e -s reG!-red. T,at t,e s! ons

69

0as ser/ed -n t,e .re -ses o+ t,ere-n .et-t-oners; o++-$e 0as eno!#, to $on/-n$e t,e $o!rt t,at t,e ser/-$e o+ sa-d .ro$esses 0as $o ."eted and res!"tant"6, t,e reG!-re ent o+ not-$e ,as %een ser/ed.'5 In G!as--F!d-$-a" .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore t,e NLRC and -ts ar%-trat-on %ran$,, .ro$ed!ra" r!"es #o/ern-n# ser/-$e o+ s! ons are not str-$t"6 $onstr!ed. S!%stant-a" $o ."-an$e t,ereo+ -s s!++-$-ent. T,e $onst-t!t-ona" reG!-re ent o+ d!e .ro$ess 0-t, res.e$t to ser/-$e o+ s! ons on"6 eAa$ts t,at t,e ser/-$e o+ s! ons %e s!$, as a6 reasona%"6 %e eA.e$ted to #-/e t,e not-$e des-red.1) On$e t,e ser/-$e .ro/-ded %6 t,e r!"es reasona%"6 a$$o ."-s,es t,at end, t,e reG!-re ent o+ F!st-$e -s ans0ered, t,e trad-t-ona" not-on o+ +a-r ."a6 -s sat-s+-ed, d!e .ro$ess -s ser/ed.1& To a.."6 t,e te$,n-$a" r!"es on ser/-$e o+ s! ons 0o!"d %e to o/ert!rn t,e %-as o+ t,e Const-t!t-on and t,e "a0s -n +a/or o+

70

"a%or. In "a%or $ases, .!n$t-"-o!s ad,eren$e to str-n#ent te$,n-$a" r!"es a6%e re"aAed -n t,e -nterest o+ t,e 0or2-n# anM -t s,o!"d not de+eat t,e $o ."ete and eG!-ta%"e reso"!t-on o+ t,e r-#,ts and o%"-#at-ons o+ t,e .art-es. T,-s Co!rt -s e/er -nd+!" o+ t,e !nder"6-n# s.-r-t and -ntent-on o+ t,e La%or Code to as$erta-n t,e +a$ts o+ ea$, $ase s.eed-"6 and o%Fe$t-/e"6 0-t,o!t resort to te$,n-$a" r!"es.1( In Co"! %!s P,-"-..-nes B!s Cor.orat-on /. Nat-ona" La%or Re"at-ons Co -ss-on,1' 0e eA.o!nded on t,e .res! .t-on o+ re#!"ar-t6 -n t,e ser/-$e o+ s! ons and ot,er not-$es, to 0-t: 3U4n"ess t,e $ontrar6 -s .ro/en, o++-$-a" d!t6 -s .res! ed to ,a/e %een .er+or ed re#!"ar"6 and F!d-$-a" .ro$eed-n#s re#!"ar"6 $ond!$ted. T,-s .res! .t-on o+ t,e re#!"ar-t6 o+ t,e G!as--F!d-$-a" .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore DOLE -n$"!des t,e .res! .t-on o+

71

re#!"ar-t6 o+ ser/-$e o+ s! not-$es. A A A.

ons and ot,er

Moreo/er, -t -s a "e#a" .res! .t-on, %ased on 0-sdo and eA.er-en$e, t,at o++-$-a" d!t6 ,as %een re#!"ar"6 .er+or edM t,at t,e .ro$eed-n#s o+ a F!d-$-a" 9and G!as--F!d-$-a": tr-%!na" are re#!"ar and /a"-d, and t,at F!d-$-a" 9G!as--F!d-$-a": a$ts and d!t-es ,a/e %een and 0-"" %e d!"6 and .ro.er"6 .er+or ed.11 T,e %!rden o+ .ro/-n# t,e -rre#!"ar-t6 -n o++-$-a" $ond!$t, -+ an6, -s on t,e .art o+ res.ondents 0,o, -n t,-s $ase, $"ear"6 +a-"ed to d-s$,ar#e t,e sa e. It ,as not es$a.ed o!r attent-on t,e res.ondents; den-a" o+ re$e-.t o+ t,e not-$es +ro t,e La%or Ar%-ter, 6et t,e6 0ere a%"e to re$e-/e a $o.6 o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter;s de$-s-on and +-"e a t- e"6 a..ea" 0-t, t,e NLRC. Indeed, res.ondents 0ere a%"e to see2 t,e re$ons-derat-on o+ t,e ad/erse de$-s-on o+

72

t,e La%or Ar%-ter 0,en t,e6 seasona%"6 +-"ed t,e-r a..ea" %e+ore t,e NLRC. A .art6 0,o ,as a/a-"ed ,- se"+ o+ t,e o..ort!n-t6 to .resent ,-s .os-t-on $annot $"a- to ,a/e %een den-ed d!e .ro$ess. Des.-te s!$, o..ort!n-t6, res.ondents +a-"ed to $on/-n$-n#"6 esta%"-s, t,at t,e-r de+ense -s er-tor-o!s.1* Ie !st e .,as-Be t,at e/en t,o!#, res.ondents d-d not .art-$-.ate -n t,e .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter, t,e6 0ere e/ent!a""6 a%"e to ar#!e t,e-r $ase on a..ea" %e+ore t,e NLRC. In t,e-r a..ea", res.ondents ,ad t,e o..ort!n-t6 to s!%stant-ate 0-t, e/-den$e t,e-r $"a- t,at t,e6 d-d not re$e-/e t,e s! ons and not-$es +ro t,e La%or Ar%-ter, and t,at .et-t-oner 0as not -""e#a""6 d-s -ssed. Art-$"e (('1E o+ t,e La%or Code a""o0s an a..ea" +ro a de$-s-on o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter V-+ ser-o!s errors -n t,e +-nd-n#s o+ +a$ts are ra-sed 0,-$, 0o!"d $a!se #ra/e or

73

-rre.ara%"e -nF!r6 to t,e a..e""ant.V T,e NLRC, -n t,e eAer$-se o+ -ts a..e""ate .o0ers, -s a!t,or-Bed to $orre$t, a end or 0a-/e an6 error, de+e$t or -rre#!"ar-t6 -n s!%stan$e or -n +or . T,-s Co!rt ,ad .re/-o!s"6 a""o0ed e/-den$e to %e s!% -tted on a..ea", e .,as-B-n# t,at, -n "a%or $ases, te$,n-$a" r!"es o+ e/-den$e are not %-nd-n#. T,e NLRC -n +a$t 0ent o/er t,e ar#! ents o+ res.ondents %!t -t re a-ned !n$on/-n$ed. Ne$essar-"6, res.ondents; $ontent-on t,at t,e6 0ere den-ed d!e .ro$ess %e$a!se o+ - .ro.er ser/-$e o+ s! ons and not-$es -s de/o-d o+ er-t. T,e essen$e o+ d!e .ro$ess -s s- ."6 an o..ort!n-t6 to %e ,eard or as a.."-ed to ad -n-strat-/e .ro$eed-n#s, an o..ort!n-t6 to eA."a-n one7s s-de or an o..ort!n-t6 to see2 a re$ons-derat-on o+ t,e a$t-on or r!"-n# $o ."a-ned o+. I,at t,e "a0 .ro,-%-ts -s a%so"!te a%sen$e o+ t,e o..ort!n-t6 to %e

74

,eardM ,en$e, a .art6 $annot +e-#n den-a" o+ d!e .ro$ess 0,ere ,e ,ad %een a++orded t,e o..ort!n-t6 to .resent ,-s s-de.18 A +or a" or tr-a" t6.e ,ear-n# -s not at a"" t- es and -n a"" -nstan$es essent-a" to d!e .ro$ess, t,e reG!-re ents o+ 0,-$, are sat-s+-ed 0,ere t,e .art-es are a++orded +a-r and reasona%"e o..ort!n-t6 to eA."a-n t,e-r s-de o+ t,e $ontro/ers6. EG!a""6 0-t,o!t er-t -s res.ondents7 assert-on t,at t,e6 0ere not a++orded d!e .ro$ess 0,en t,e La%or Ar%-ter rendered ,-s de$-s-on %ased on"6 on t,e e/-den$e add!$ed %6 .et-t-oner. T,e a!t,or-t6 o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter to render F!d# ent %ased so"e"6 on t,e e/-den$e add!$ed %6 a $o ."a-nant -s eA."-$-t"6 san$t-oned %6 Se$t-on (, R!"e V o+ t,e Re/-sed R!"es o+ Pro$ed!re o+ t,e NLRC, 0,-$, .ro/-des: Se$t-on ( o+ R!"e V: Se$. (. A A A.

75

AAAA In $ase o+ non-a..earan$e o+ t,e res.ondent>s d!r-n# t,e +-rst $on+eren$e, a se$ond $on+eren$e s,a"" .ro$eed. Nona..earan$e o+ t,e res.ondent d!r-n# t,e se$ond $on+eren$e s,a"" ed-ate"6 ter -nate t,e andator6 $on$-"-at-on> ed-at-on $on+eren$e. T,e $o ."a-nant s,a"" t,ere!.on %e a""o0ed to +-"e ,-s .os-t-on .a.er as 0e"" as s!% -t e/-den$e -n s!..ort o+ ,-s $a!se or $a!ses o+ a$t-on a+ter 0,-$,, t,e La%or Ar%-ter s,a"" render ,-s de$-s-on on t,e %as-s o+ t,e e/-den$e on re$ord.1< 9E .,as-s s!.."-ed.: Undo!%ted"6, res.ondents 0ere a++orded a ."e o..ort!n-t6 to %e ,eard. Des.-te an6 .!r.orted .ro$ed!ra" +"a0 t,at a6 ,a/e arred t,e .ro$eed-n#s %e+ore t,e La%or Ar%-ter, -t s,o!"d %e dee ed re$t-+-ed -n t,e s!%seG!ent .ro$eed-n#s -n t,e NLRC, to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s, and %e+ore t,-s Co!rt.

76

I,ere+ore, .re -ses $ons-dered, t,e -nstant Pet-t-on -s Granted. T,e De$-s-on dated &8 De$e %er ())8 o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -n CA-G.R. SP No. 51E&E -s re/ersed and set as-deM and t,e NLRC Reso"!t-ons dated ') No/e %er ())1 and (< He%r!ar6 ())E -n CA No. )1)8('-)1, a++-r -n# 0-t, od-+-$at-on t,e De$-s-on dated &E Mar$, ())1 o+ t,e La%or Ar%-ter -n NLRC-NCR Case No. )*-)E)8&-)', are re-nstated. Costs a#a-nst res.ondents. SO ORDERED.

77

G.R. No. "'/4%% Se,te57er "%, "..4 ST. MARTIN ?UNERAL HOME, .et-t-oner, /s. NATIONAL LA(OR RELATIONS COMMISSION *n+ (IENVENIDO ARICAAOS, res.ondents. REGALADO, J.: T,e .resent .et-t-on +or certiorari ste ed +ro a $o ."a-nt +or -""e#a" d-s -ssa" +-"ed %6 ,ere-n .r-/ate res.ondent %e+ore t,e Nat-ona" La%or Re"at-ons Co -ss-on 9NLRC:, Re#-ona" Ar%-trat-on Bran$, No. III, -n San Hernando, Pa .an#a. Pr-/ate res.ondent a""e#es t,at ,e started 0or2-n# as O.erat-ons Mana#er o+ .et-t-oner St. Mart-n H!nera" @o e on He%r!ar6 E, &55*. @o0e/er, t,ere 0as no $ontra$t o+ e ."o6 ent eAe$!ted %et0een ,- and

78

.et-t-oner nor 0as ,-s na e -n$"!ded -n t,e se -- ont,"6 .a6ro"". On Dan!ar6 ((, &55E, ,e 0as d-s -ssed +ro ,-s e ."o6 ent +or a""e#ed"6 -sa..ro.r-at-n# P'<,))).)) 0,-$, 0as -ntended +or .a6 ent %6 .et-t-oner o+ -ts /a"!e added taA 9VAT: to t,e B!rea! o+ Interna" Re/en!e 9BIR:. " Pet-t-oner on t,e ot,er ,and $"a- s t,at .r-/ate res.ondent 0as not -ts e ."o6ee %!t on"6 t,e !n$"e o+ A e"-ta Ma"a%ed, t,e o0ner o+ .et-t-oner St. Mart-n7s H!nera" @o e. So et- e -n &55*, .r-/ate res.ondent, 0,o 0as +or er"6 0or2-n# as an o/erseas $ontra$t 0or2er, as2ed +or +-nan$-a" ass-stan$e +ro t,e ot,er o+ A e"-ta. S-n$e t,en, as an -nd-$at-on o+ #rat-t!de, .r-/ate res.ondent /o"!ntar-"6 ,e".ed t,e ot,er o+ A e"-ta -n o/ersee-n# t,e %!s-ness. In Dan!ar6 &55E, t,e ot,er o+ A e"-ta .assed a0a6, so t,e "atter t,en too2 o/er t,e ana#e ent o+ t,e %!s-ness. S,e t,en

79

d-s$o/ered t,at t,ere 0ere arrears -n t,e .a6 ent o+ taAes and ot,er #o/ern ent +ees, a"t,o!#, t,e re$ords .!r.orted to s,o0 t,at t,e sa e 0ere a"read6 .a-d. A e"-ta t,en ade so e $,an#es -n t,e %!s-ness o.erat-on and .r-/ate res.ondent and ,-s 0-+e 0ere no "on#er a""o0ed to .art-$-.ate -n t,e ana#e ent t,ereo+. As a $onseG!en$e, t,e "atter +-"ed a $o ."a-nt $,ar#-n# t,at .et-t-oner ,ad -""e#a""6 ter -nated ,-s e ."o6 ent. & Based on t,e .os-t-on .a.ers o+ t,e .art-es, t,e "a%or ar%-ter rendered a de$-s-on -n +a/or o+ .et-t-oner on O$to%er (*, &55E de$"ar-n# t,at no e ."o6er-e ."o6ee re"at-ons,-. eA-sted %et0een t,e .art-es and, t,ere+ore, ,-s o++-$e ,ad no F!r-sd-$t-on o/er t,e $ase. ' Not sat-s+-ed 0-t, t,e sa-d de$-s-on, .r-/ate res.ondent a..ea"ed to t,e NLRC $ontend-n# t,at t,e "a%or ar%-ter erred 9&: -n not #-/-n# $reden$e to t,e e/-den$e

80

s!% -tted %6 ,- M 9(: -n ,o"d-n# t,at ,e 0or2ed as a V/o"!nteerV and not as an e ."o6ee o+ St. Mart-n H!nera" @o e +ro He%r!ar6 E, &55* to Dan!ar6 (', &55E, or a .er-od o+ a%o!t one 6earM and 9': -n r!"-n# t,at t,ere 0as no e ."o6er-e ."o6ee re"at-ons,-. %et0een ,- and .et-t-oner. # On D!ne &', &558, t,e NLRC rendered a reso"!t-on sett-n# as-de t,e G!est-oned de$-s-on and re and-n# t,e $ase to t,e "a%or ar%-ter +or ed-ate a..ro.r-ate .ro$eed-n#s. 3 Pet-t-oner t,en +-"ed a ot-on +or re$ons-derat-on 0,-$, 0as den-ed %6 t,e NLRC -n -ts reso"!t-on dated A!#!st &<, &558 +or "a$2 o+ er-t, % ,en$e t,e .resent .et-t-on a""e#-n# t,at t,e NLRC $o -tted #ra/e a%!se o+ d-s$ret-on. $ Be+ore .ro$eed-n# +!rt,er -nto t,e er-ts o+ t,e $ase at %ar, t,e Co!rt +ee"s t,at -t -s no0 eA-#ent and o..ort!ne to reeAa -ne t,e +!n$t-ona" /a"-d-t6 and s6ste -$ .ra$t-$a%-"-t6 o+ t,e ode o+ F!d-$-a" re/-e0 -t

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,as "on# ado.ted and st-"" +o""o0s 0-t, res.e$t to de$-s-ons o+ t,e NLRC. T,e -n$reas-n# n! %er o+ "a%or d-s.!tes t,at +-nd t,e-r 0a6 to t,-s Co!rt and t,e "e#-s"at-/e $,an#es -ntrod!$ed o/er t,e 6ears -nto t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ Pres-dent-a" De$ree 96.3.: No. 11( 9T,e La%or Code o+ t,e P,-"-..-nes and Batas Pa %ansa B"#. 9%.6. No.: &(5 9T,e D!d-$-ar6 Reor#an-Bat-on A$t o+ &5<): no0 str-dent"6 $a"" +or and 0arrant a reassess ent o+ t,at .ro$ed!ra" as.e$t. Ie .re+ator-"6 de"/e -nto t,e "e#a" ,-stor6 o+ t,e NLRC. It 0as +-rst esta%"-s,ed -n t,e De.art ent o+ La%or %6 P.D. No. (& on O$to%er &1, &58(, and -ts de$-s-ons 0ere eA.ress"6 de$"ared to %e a..ea"a%"e to t,e Se$retar6 o+ La%or and, !"t- ate"6, to t,e Pres-dent o+ t,e P,-"-..-nes. On Ma6 &, &581, P.D. No. 11( ena$ted t,e La%or Code o+ t,e P,-"-..-nes, t,e sa e to ta2e e++e$t s-A ont,s a+ter -ts

82

.ro !"#at-on. 4 Created and re#!"ated t,ere-n -s t,e .resent NLRC 0,-$, 0as atta$,ed to t,e De.art ent o+ La%or and E ."o6 ent +or .ro#ra and .o"-$6 $oord-nat-on on"6. . In-t-a""6, Art-$"e ')( 9no0, Art-$"e ((': t,ereo+ a"so #ranted an a##r-e/ed .art6 t,e re ed6 o+ a..ea" +ro t,e de$-s-on o+ t,e NLRC to t,e Se$retar6 o+ La%or, %!t P.D. No. &'5& s!%seG!ent"6 a ended sa-d .ro/-s-on and a%o"-s,ed s!$, a..ea"s. No a..e""ate re/-e0 ,as s-n$e t,en %een .ro/-ded +or. T,!s, to re.eat, !nder t,e .resent state o+ t,e "a0, t,ere -s no .ro/-s-on +or a..ea"s +ro t,e de$-s-on o+ t,e NLRC. "/ T,e .resent Se$t-on ((', as "ast a ended %6 Se$t-on &( o+ R.A. No. E8&*, -nstead ere"6 .ro/-des t,at t,e Co -ss-on s,a"" de$-de a"" $ases 0-t,-n t0ent6 da6s +ro re$e-.t o+ t,e ans0er o+ t,e a..e""ee, and t,at s!$, de$-s-on s,a"" %e +-na" and eAe$!tor6 a+ter

83

ten $a"endar da6s +ro t,e .art-es.

re$e-.t t,ereo+ %6

I,en t,e -ss!e 0as ra-sed -n an ear"6 $ase on t,e ar#! ent t,at t,-s Co!rt ,as no F!r-sd-$t-on to re/-e0 t,e de$-s-ons o+ t,e NLRC, and +or er"6 o+ t,e Se$retar6 o+ La%or, s-n$e t,ere -s no "e#a" .ro/-s-on +or a..e""ate re/-e0 t,ereo+, t,e Co!rt ne/ert,e"ess reFe$ted t,at t,es-s. It ,e"d t,at t,ere -s an !nder"6-n# .o0er o+ t,e $o!rts to s$r!t-n-Be t,e a$ts o+ s!$, a#en$-es on G!est-ons o+ "a0 and F!r-sd-$t-on e/en t,o!#, no r-#,t o+ re/-e0 -s #-/en %6 stat!teM t,at t,e .!r.ose o+ F!d-$-a" re/-e0 -s to 2ee. t,e ad -n-strat-/e a#en$6 0-t,-n -ts F!r-sd-$t-on and .rote$t t,e s!%stant-a" r-#,ts o+ t,e .art-esM and t,at -t -s t,at .art o+ t,e $,e$2s and %a"an$es 0,-$, restr-$ts t,e se.arat-on o+ .o0ers and +oresta""s ar%-trar6 and !nF!st adF!d-$at-ons. ""

84

P!rs!ant to s!$, r!"-n#, and as san$t-oned %6 s!%seG!ent de$-s-ons o+ t,-s Co!rt, t,e re ed6 o+ t,e a##r-e/ed .art6 -s to t- e"6 +-"e a ot-on +or re$ons-derat-on as a .re$ond-t-on +or an6 +!rt,er or s!%seG!ent re ed6, "& and t,en seasona%"6 a/a-" o+ t,e s.e$-a" $-/-" a$t-on o+ certiorari !nder R!"e E*, "' +or 0,-$, sa-d R!"e ,as no0 +-Aed t,e re#"e entar6 .er-od o+ s-At6 da6s +ro not-$e o+ t,e de$-s-on. C!r-o!s"6, a"t,o!#, t,e &)-da6 .er-od +or +-na"-t6 o+ t,e de$-s-on o+ t,e NLRC a6 a"read6 ,a/e "a.sed as $onte ."ated -n Se$t-on ((' o+ t,e La%or Code, -t ,as %een ,e"d t,at t,-s Co!rt a6 st-"" ta2e $o#n-Ban$e o+ t,e .et-t-on +or certiorari on F!r-sd-$t-ona" and d!e .ro$ess $ons-derat-ons -+ +-"ed 0-t,-n t,e re#"e entar6 .er-od !nder R!"e E*."# T!rn-n# no0 to t,e atter o+ F!d-$-a" re/-e0 o+ NLRC de$-s-ons, B.P. No. &(5 or-#-na""6 .ro/-ded as +o""o0s:

85

Se$. 5. Juri(diction. S T,e Inter ed-ate A..e""ate Co!rt s,a"" eAer$-se: 9&: Or-#-na" F!r-sd-$t-on to -ss!e 0r-ts o+ mandamu(, .ro,-%-t-on, certiorari, habea( cor!u(, and 7uo *arranto, and a!A-"-ar6 0r-ts or .ro$esses, 0,et,er or not -n a-d o+ -ts a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-onM 9(: EA$"!s-/e or-#-na" F!r-sd-$t-on o/er a$t-ons +or ann!" ent o+ F!d# ents o+ Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rtsM and 9': EA$"!s-/e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o/er a"" +-na" F!d# ents, de$-s-ons, reso"!t-ons, orders, or a0ards o+ Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rts and G!as-F!d-$-a" a#en$-es, -nstr! enta"-t-es, %oards, or $o -ss-ons, eA$e.t t,ose +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e Const-t!t-on, t,e

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.ro/-s-ons o+ t,-s A$t, and o+ s!%.ara#ra., 9&: o+ t,e t,-rd .ara#ra., and s!%.ara#ra., 91: o+ t,e +o!rt, .ara#ra., o+ Se$t-on &8 o+ t,e D!d-$-ar6 A$t o+ &51<. T,e Inter ed-ate A..e""ate Co!rt s,a"" ,a/e t,e .o0er to tr6 $ases and $ond!$t ,ear-n#s, re$e-/e e/-den$e and .er+or an6 and a"" a$ts ne$essar6 to reso"/e +a$t!a" -ss!es ra-sed -n $ases +a""-n# 0-t,-n -ts or-#-na" and a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on, -n$"!d-n# t,e .o0er to #rant and $ond!$t ne0 tr-a"s or +!rt,er .ro$eed-n#s.
T,ese .ro/-s-ons s,a"" not a.."6 to de$-s-ons and -nter"o$!tor6 orders -ss!ed !nder t,e La%or Code o+ t,e P,-"-..-nes and %6 t,e Centra" Board o+ Assess ent A..ea"s. "3

S!%seG!ent"6, and as -t .resent"6 reads, t,-s .ro/-s-on 0as a ended %6 R.A. No. 85)( e++e$t-/e Mar$, &<, &55*, to 0-t:

87

Se$. 5. Juri(diction. S T,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s s,a"" eAer$-se: 9&: Or-#-na" F!r-sd-$t-on to -ss!e 0r-ts o+ mandamu(, .ro,-%-t-on, certiorari, habea( cor!u(, and 7uo *arranto, and a!A-"-ar6 0r-ts or .ro$esses, 0,et,er or not -n a-d o+ -ts a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-onM 9(: EA$"!s-/e or-#-na" F!r-sd-$t-on o/er a$t-ons +or ann!" ent o+ F!d# ents o+ Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rtsM and 9': EA$"!s-/e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o/er a"" +-na" F!d# ents, de$-s-ons, reso"!t-ons, orders or a0ards o+ Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rts and G!as-F!d-$-a" a#en$-es, -nstr! enta"-t-es, %oards or $o -ss-ons, -n$"!d-n# t,e Se$!r-t-es and EA$,an#e Co -ss-on, t,e So$-a" Se$!r-t6 Co -ss-on, t,e E ."o6ees Co .ensat-on Co -ss-on and t,e

88

C-/-" Ser/-$e Co -ss-on, eA$e.t t,ose +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e Const-t!t-on, t,e La%or Code o+ t,e P,-"-..-nes !nder Pres-dent-a" De$ree No. 11(, as a ended, t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ t,-s A$t, and o+ s!%.ara#ra., 9&: o+ t,e t,-rd .ara#ra., and s!%.ara#ra., 91: o+ t,e +o!rt, .ara#ra., o+ Se$t-on &8 o+ t,e D!d-$-ar6 A$t o+ &51<. T,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s s,a"" ,a/e t,e .o0er to tr6 $ases and $ond!$t ,ear-n#s, re$e-/e e/-den$e and .er+or an6 and a"" a$ts ne$essar6 to reso"/e +a$t!a" -ss!es ra-sed -n $ases +a""-n# 0-t,-n -ts or-#-na" and a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on, -n$"!d-n# t,e .o0er to #rant and $ond!$t ne0 tr-a"s or +!rt,er .ro$eed-n#s. Tr-a"s or ,ear-n#s -n t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s !st %e $ont-n!o!s and !st %e

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$o ."eted 0-t,-n, t,ree 9': ont,s, !n"ess eAtended %6 t,e C,-e+ D!st-$e. It 0-"" read-"6 %e o%ser/ed t,at, as-de +ro t,e $,an#e -n t,e na e o+ t,e "o0er a..e""ate $o!rt, "% t,e +o""o0-n# a end ents o+ t,e or-#-na" .ro/-s-ons o+ Se$t-on 5 o+ B.P. No. &(5 0ere e++e$ted %6 R.A. No. 85)(, &i9.: &. T,e "ast .ara#ra., 0,-$, eA$"!ded -ts a.."-$at-on to t,e 2abor Code o" the 6hi$i!!ine( and t,e Centra" Board o+ Assess ent A..ea"s 0as de"eted and re."a$ed %6 a ne0 .ara#ra., #rant-n# t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s "- -ted .o0ers to $ond!$t tr-a"s and ,ear-n#s -n $ases 0-t,-n -ts F!r-sd-$t-on. (. T,e re+eren$e to t,e La%or Code -n t,at "ast .ara#ra., 0as trans.osed to .ara#ra., 9': o+ t,e se$t-on, s!$, t,at t,e or-#-na" eA$"!s-onar6 $"a!se t,ere-n no0

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.ro/-des VeA$e.t t,ose +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e Const-t!t-on, the 2abor Code o" the 6hi$i!!ine( under 6re(identia$ 3ecree No. 44:, a( amended, t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ t,-s A$t, and o+ s!%.ara#ra., 9&: o+ t,e t,-rd .ara#ra., and s!%.ara#ra., 91: o+ t,e +o!rt, .ara#ra., o+ Se$t-on &8 o+ t,e D!d-$-ar6 A$t o+ &51<.V 9E .,as-s s!.."-ed:. '. Contrar-"6, ,o0e/er, s.e$-+-$a""6 added to and -n$"!ded a on# t,e G!as--F!d-$-a" a#en$-es o/er 0,-$, t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s s,a"" ,a/e eA$"!s-/e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on are t,e Se$!r-t-es and EA$,an#e Co -ss-on, t,e So$-a" Se$!r-t6 Co -ss-on, t,e E ."o6ees Co .ensat-on Co -ss-on and t,e C-/-" Ser/-$e Co -ss-on. T,-s, t,en, %r-n#s !s to a so e0,at .er."eA-n# - .assX, %ot, -n .o-nt o+ .!r.ose and ter -no"o#6. As ear"-er

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eA."a-ned, o!r ode o+ F!d-$-a" re/-e0 o/er de$-s-ons o+ t,e NLRC ,as +or so e t- e no0 %een !nderstood to %e %6 a .et-t-on +orcertiorari !nder R!"e E* o+ t,e R!"es o+ Co!rt. T,-s -s, o+ $o!rse, a s.e$-a" or-#-na" a$t-on "- -ted to t,e reso"!t-on o+ F!r-sd-$t-ona" -ss!es, t,at -s, "a$2 or eA$ess o+ F!r-sd-$t-on and, -n a" ost a"" $ases t,at ,a/e %een %ro!#,t to !s, #ra/e a%!se o+ d-s$ret-on a o!nt-n# to "a$2 o+ F!r-sd-$t-on. It 0-"", ,o0e/er, %e noted t,at .ara#ra., 9':, Se$t-on 5 o+ B.P. No. &(5 no0 #rants eA$"!s-/e a!!e$$ate F!r-sd-$t-on to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s o/er a"" +-na" adF!d-$at-ons o+ t,e Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rts and t,e G!as--F!d-$-a" a#en$-es #enera""6 or s.e$-+-$a""6 re+erred to t,ere-n eA$e.t, a on# ot,ers, Vt,ose +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a!!e$$ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, . . . t,e La%or Code o+ t,e P,-"-..-nes !nder Pres-dent-a" De$ree No. 11(, as a ended, . . . .V T,-s 0o!"d ne$essar-"6 $ontrad-$t 0,at

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,as %een r!"ed and sa-d a"" a"on# t,at a..ea" does not "-e +ro de$-s-ons o+ t,e NLRC. "$ Pet, !nder s!$, eA$e.t-n# $"a!se "-tera""6 $onstr!ed, t,e a..ea" +ro t,e NLRC $annot %e %ro!#,t to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s, %!t to t,-s Co!rt %6 ne$essar6 - ."-$at-on. T,e sa e eA$e.t-/e $"a!se +!rt,er $on+!ses t,e s-t!at-on %6 de$"ar-n# t,at t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s ,as no a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o/er de$-s-ons +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e Const-t!t-on, t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ B.P. No. &(5, and t,ose s.e$-+-ed $ases -n Se$t-on &8 o+ t,e D!d-$-ar6 A$t o+ &51<. T,ese $ases $an, o+ $o!rse, %e .ro.er"6 eA$"!ded +ro t,e eA$"!s-/e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s. @o0e/er, %e$a!se o+ t,e a+ore ent-oned a end ent %6 trans.os-t-on, a"so s!..osed"6 eA$"!ded are $ases +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on

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o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt in accordance *ith the 2abor Code. T,-s -s -""o#-$a" and - .ra$t-$a%"e, and Con#ress $o!"d not ,a/e -ntended t,at .ro$ed!ra" #a++e, s-n$e t,ere are no $ases -n t,e La%or Code t,e de$-s-ons, reso"!t-ons, orders or a0ards 0,ere-n are 0-t,-n t,e a!!e$$ate F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt or o+ an6 ot,er $o!rt +or t,at atter. A re/-e0 o+ t,e "e#-s"at-/e re$ords on t,e ante$edents o+ R.A. No. 85)( .ers!ades !s t,at t,ere a6 ,a/e %een an o/ers-#,t -n t,e $o!rse o+ t,e de"-%erat-ons on t,e sa-d A$t or an - .re$-s-on -n t,e ter -no"o#6 !sed t,ere-n. In +-ne, Con#ress d-d -ntend to .ro/-de +or F!d-$-a" re/-e0 o+ t,e adF!d-$at-ons o+ t,e NLRC -n "a%or $ases %6 t,e S!.re e Co!rt, %!t t,ere 0as an -na$$!ra$6 -n t,e ter !sed +or t,e -ntended ode o+ re/-e0. T,-s $on$"!s-on 0,-$, 0e ,a/e re"!$tant"6 %!t .r!dent"6 arr-/ed at ,as %een dra0n +ro t,e $ons-derat-ons eAtant

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-n t,e re$ords o+ Con#ress, ore .art-$!"ar"6 on Senate B-"" No. &15* and t,e Re+eren$e Co -ttee Re.ort on S. No. &15*>@. No. &)1*(. "4 In s.onsor-n# Senate B-"" No. &15*, Senator Ra!" S. Ro$o de"-/ered ,-s s.onsors,-. s.ee$, ". +ro 0,-$, 0e re.rod!$e t,e +o""o0-n# eA$er.ts: T,e D!d-$-ar6 Reor#an-Bat-on A$t, Mr. Pres-dent, Batas Pa %ansa B"#. &(5, reor#an-Bed t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s and at t,e sa e t- e eA.anded -ts F!r-sd-$t-on and .o0ers. A on# ot,ers, -ts a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on 0as eA.anded to $o/er not on"6 +-na" F!d# ent o+ Re#-ona" Tr-a" Co!rts, %!t a"so a"" +-na" F!d# ent9s:, de$-s-ons, reso"!t-ons, orders or a0ards o+ G!as--F!d-$-a" a#en$-es, -nstr! enta"-t-es, %oards and $o -ss-ons, eA$e.t t,ose +a""-n# 0-t,-n t,e a..e""ate F!r-sd-$t-on

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o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e Const-t!t-on, t,e .ro/-s-ons o+ BP B"#. &(5 and o+ s!%.ara#ra., & o+ t,e t,-rd .ara#ra., and s!%.ara#ra., 1 o+ Se$t-on &8 o+ t,e D!d-$-ar6 A$t o+ &51<. Mr. Pres-dent, t,e .!r.ose o+ t,e "a0 -s to ea(e the *or)$oad o" the 0u!reme Court b' the tran("er o" (ome o" it( burden o" re&ie* o" "actua$ i((ue( to the Court o" A!!ea$(. 1o*e&er, *hate&er bene"it( that can be deri&ed "rom the e !an(ion o" the a!!e$$ate +uri(diction o" the Court o" A!!ea$( *a( cut (hort b' the $a(t !aragra!h o" 0ection / o" %ata( 6amban(a %$g. 1:/ *hich e c$ude( "rom it( co&erage the ;deci(ion( and inter$ocutor' order( i((ued under the 2abor Code o" the 6hi$i!!ine( and b'

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the Centra$ %oard o" A((e((ment A!!ea$(. A on# t,e ,-#,est n! %er o+ $ases t,at are %ro!#,t !. to t,e S!.re e Co!rt are $abor ca(e(. @en$e, Senate B-"" No. &15* see2s to e$iminate the e ce!tion( enumerated in 0ection / and, add-t-ona""6, eAtends t,e $o/era#e o+ a..e""ate re/-e0 o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -n t,e de$-s-on9s: o+ t,e Se$!r-t-es and EA$,an#e Co -ss-on, t,e So$-a" Se$!r-t6 Co -ss-on, and t,e E ."o6ees Co .ensat-on Co -ss-on to red!$e t,e n! %er o+ $ases e"e/ated to t,e S!.re e Co!rt. 9E .,ases and $orre$t-ons o!rs: AAA AAA AAA Senate B-"" No. &15* a!t,ored %6 o!r d-st-n#!-s,ed Co""ea#!e +ro

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La#!na .ro/-des t,e -dea" s-t!at-on o+ drast-$a""6 red!$-n# t,e 0or2"oad o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt 0-t,o!t de.r-/-n# t,e "-t-#ants o+ t,e .r-/-"e#e o+ re/-e0 %6 an a..e""ate tr-%!na". In $"os-n#, a""o0 e to G!ote t,e o%ser/at-ons o+ +or er C,-e+ D!st-$e Tee,an2ee -n &5<E -n t,e Ann!a" Re.ort o+ t,e S!.re e Co!rt: . . . A endator6 "e#-s"at-on -s s!##ested so as to re"-e/e t,e S!.re e Co!rt o+ t,e %!rden o+ re/-e0-n# t,ese $ases 0,-$, .resent no - .ortant -ss!es -n/o"/ed %e6ond t,e .art-$!"ar +a$t and t,e .art-es -n/o"/ed, so t,at t,e S!.re e Co!rt a6 0,o""6 de/ote -ts t- e to $ases o+ .!%"-$ -nterest -n t,e d-s$,ar#e o+ -ts andated tas2 as t,e #!ard-an o+ t,e Const-t!t-on

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and t,e #!arantor o+ t,e .eo."e7s %as-$ r-#,ts and add-t-ona" tas2 eA.ress"6 /ested on -t no0 Vto deter -ne 0,et,er or not t,ere ,as %een a #ra/e a%!se o+ d-s$ret-on a o!nt-n# to "a$2 o+ F!r-sd-$t-on on t,e .art o+ an6 %ran$, or -nstr! enta"-t6 o+ t,e Go/ern ent. Ie !sed to ,a/e *)),))) $ases .end-n# a"" o/er t,e "and, Mr. Pres-dent. It ,as %een $!t do0n to ')),))) $ases so e +-/e 6ears a#o. I !nderstand 0e are no0 %a$2 to 1)),))) $ases. Un"ess 0e d-str-%!te t,e 0or2 o+ t,e a..e""ate $o!rts, 0e s,a"" $ont-n!e to o!nt and add to t,e n! %er o+ $ases .end-n#. In /-e0 o+ t,e +ore#o-n#, Mr. Pres-dent, and %6 /-rt!e o+ a"" t,e reasons 0e ,a/e s!% -tted, t,e

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Co -ttee on D!st-$e and @! an R-#,ts reG!ests t,e s!..ort and $o""e#-a" a..ro/a" o+ o!r C,a %er. AAA AAA AAA S!r.r-s-n#"6, ,o0e/er, -n a s!%seG!ent sess-on, t,e +o""o0-n# Co -ttee A end ent 0as -ntrod!$ed %6 t,e sa-d s.onsor and t,e +o""o0-n# .ro$eed-n#s trans.-red: &/ Senator Ro$o. On .a#e (, "-ne *, a+ter t,e "-ne VS!.re e Co!rt -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e Const-t!t-on,V add t,e .,rase VT@E LABOR CODE OH T@E P@ILIPPINES UNDER P.D. 11(, AS AMENDED.V So t,at -t %e$o es $"ear, Mr. Pres-dent, t,at -ss!es ar-s-n# +ro t,e La%or Code 0-"" st-"" %e a..ea"a%"e to t,e S!.re e Co!rt.

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T,e Pres-dent. Is t,ere an6 o%Fe$t-onW 90i$ence: @ear-n# none, t,e a end ent -s a..ro/ed. Senator Ro$o. On t,e sa e .a#e, 0e o/e t,at "-nes (* to ') %e de"eted. T,-s 0as a"so d-s$!ssed 0-t, o!r Co""ea#!es -n t,e @o!se o+ Re.resentat-/es and as 0e !nderstand -t, as a..ro/ed -n t,e @o!se, t,-s 0as a"so de"eted, Mr. Pres-dent. T,e Pres-dent. Is t,ere an6 o%Fe$t-onW 90i$ence: @ear-n# none, t,e a end ent -s a..ro/ed. Senator Ro$o. T,ere are no +!rt,er Co -ttee a end ents, Mr. Pres-dent. Senator Ro !"o. Mr. Pres-dent, I o/e t,at 0e $"ose t,e .er-od o+ Co -ttee a end ents.

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T,e Pres-dent. Is t,ere an6 o%Fe$t-onW 90i$ence: @ear-n# none, t,e a end ent -s a..ro/ed. 9E .,as-s s!.."-ed:. AAA AAA AAA T,erea+ter, s-n$e t,ere 0ere no -nd-/-d!a" a end ents, Senate B-"" No. &15* 0as .assed on se$ond read-n# and %e-n# a $ert-+-ed %-"", -ts !nan- o!s a..ro/a" on t,-rd read-n# +o""o0ed. &" T,e Con+eren$e Co -ttee Re.ort on Senate B-"" No. &15* and @o!se B-"" No. &)1*(, ,a/-n# t,ereto+ore %een a..ro/ed %6 t,e @o!se o+ Re.resentat-/es, t,e sa e 0as "-2e0-se a..ro/ed %6 t,e Senate on He%r!ar6 (), &55*, && -n$"!s-/e o+ t,e d!%-o!s +or !"at-on on a..ea"s to t,e S!.re e Co!rt ear"-er d-s$!ssed. T,e Co!rt -s, t,ere+ore, o+ t,e $ons-dered o.-n-on t,at e/er s-n$e a..ea"s +ro t,e NLRC to t,e S!.re e Co!rt 0ere

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e"- -nated, t,e "e#-s"at-/e -ntend ent 0as t,at t,e s.e$-a" $-/-" a$t-on o+ certiorari 0as and st-"" -s t,e .ro.er /e,-$"e +or F!d-$-a" re/-e0 o+ de$-s-ons o+ t,e NLRC. T,e !se o+ t,e 0ord Va..ea"V -n re"at-on t,ereto and -n t,e -nstan$es 0e ,a/e noted $o!"d ,a/e %een a $a!(u( !$umae %e$a!se a..ea"s %6 certiorari and t,e or-#-na" a$t-on +or certiorari are %ot, odes o+ F!d-$-a" re/-e0 addressed to t,e a..e""ate $o!rts. T,e - .ortant d-st-n$t-on %et0een t,e , ,o0e/er, and 0-t, 0,-$, t,e Co!rt -s .art-$!"ar"6 $on$erned ,ere -s t,at t,e s.e$-a" $-/-" a$t-on o+ certiorari -s 0-t,-n t,e $on$!rrent or-#-na" F!r-sd-$t-on o+ t,-s Co!rt and t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"sM &' 0,ereas to -nd!"#e -n t,e ass! .t-on t,at a..ea"s %6 certiorari to t,e S!.re e Co!rt are a""o0ed 0o!"d not s!%ser/e, %!t 0o!"d s!%/ert, t,e -ntent-on o+ Con#ress as eA.ressed -n t,e s.onsors,-. s.ee$, on Senate B-"" No. &15*.

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In$-denta""6, -t 0as noted %6 t,e s.onsor t,ere-n t,at so e G!arters 0ere o+ t,e o.-n-on t,at re$o!rse +ro t,e NLRC to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s as an -n-t-a" ste. -n t,e .ro$ess o+ F!d-$-a" re/-e0 0o!"d %e $-r$!-to!s and 0o!"d .ro"on# t,e .ro$eed-n#s. On t,e $ontrar6, as ,e $o enda%"6 and rea"-st-$a""6 e .,as-Bed, t,at .ro$ed!re 0o!"d %e ad/anta#eo!s to t,e a##r-e/ed .art6 on t,-s reason-n#: On t,e ot,er ,and, Mr. Pres-dent, to a""o0 t,ese $ases to %e a..ea"ed to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s 0o!"d #-/e "-t-#ants t,e ad/anta#e to ,a/e a"" t,e e/-den$e on re$ord %e reeAa -ned and re0e-#,ed a+ter 0,-$, t,e +-nd-n#s o+ +a$ts and $on$"!s-ons o+ sa-d %od-es are $orres.ond-n#"6 a++-r ed, od-+-ed or re/ersed.
Under s!$, #!arantee, t,e S!.re e Co!rt $an t,en a.."6 str-$t"6 t,e aA-o t,at +a$t!a" +-nd-n#s o+ t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s are +-na" and a6 not %e

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re/ersed on a..ea" to t,e S!.re e Co!rt. A .er!sa" o+ t,e re$ords 0-"" re/ea" a..ea"s 0,-$, are +a$t!a" -n nat!re and a6, t,ere+ore, %e d-s -ssed o!tr-#,t %6 -n!te reso"!t-ons. &#

I,-"e 0e do not 0-s, to -ntr!de -nto t,e Con#ress-ona" s.,ere on t,e atter o+ t,e 0-sdo o+ a "a0, on t,-s s$ore 0e add t,e +!rt,er o%ser/at-ons t,at t,ere -s a #ro0-n# n! %er o+ "a%or $ases %e-n# e"e/ated to t,-s Co!rt 0,-$,, not %e-n# a tr-er o+ +a$t, ,as at t- es %een $onstra-ned to re and t,e $ase to t,e NLRC +or reso"!t-on o+ !n$"ear or a %-#!o!s +a$t!a" +-nd-n#sM t,at t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -s .ro$ed!ra""6 eG!-..ed +or t,at .!r.ose, as-de +ro t,e -n$reased n! %er o+ -ts $o .onent d-/-s-onsM and t,at t,ere -s !nden-a%"6 an - .erat-/e need +or eA.ed-t-o!s a$t-on on "a%or $ases as a aFor as.e$t o+ $onst-t!t-ona" .rote$t-on to "a%or. T,ere+ore, a"" re+eren$es -n t,e a ended Se$t-on 5 o+ B.P. No. &(5 to s!..osed a..ea"s +ro t,e NLRC to t,e S!.re e

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Co!rt are -nter.reted and ,ere%6 de$"ared to ean and re+er to .et-t-ons +or certiorari !nder R!"e E*. ConseG!ent"6, a"" s!$, .et-t-ons s,o!"d ,en$e +ort, %e -n-t-a""6 +-"ed -n t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s -n str-$t o%ser/an$e o+ t,e do$tr-ne on t,e ,-erar$,6 o+ $o!rts as t,e a..ro.r-ate +or! +or t,e re"-e+ des-red. A.ro.os to t,-s d-re$t-/e t,at resort to t,e ,-#,er $o!rts s,o!"d %e ade -n a$$ordan$e 0-t, t,e-r ,-erar$,-$a" order, t,-s .rono!n$e ent -n 0antiago &(. <a(7ue9, et a$. &3 s,o!"d %e ta2en -nto a$$o!nt: One +-na" o%ser/at-on. Ie d-s$ern -n t,e .ro$eed-n#s -n t,-s $ase a .ro.ens-t6 on t,e .art o+ .et-t-oner, and, +or t,at atter, t,e sa e a6 %e sa-d o+ a n! %er o+ "-t-#ants 0,o -n-t-ate re$o!rses %e+ore !s, to d-sre#ard t,e ,-erar$,6 o+ $o!rts -n o!r F!d-$-a" s6ste %6 see2-n# re"-e+

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d-re$t"6 +ro t,-s Co!rt des.-te t,e +a$t t,at t,e sa e -s a/a-"a%"e -n t,e "o0er $o!rts -n t,e eAer$-se o+ t,e-r or-#-na" or $on$!rrent F!r-sd-$t-on, or -s e/en andated %6 "a0 to %e so!#,t t,ere-n. T,-s .ra$t-$e !st %e sto..ed, not on"6 %e$a!se o+ t,e - .os-t-on !.on t,e .re$-o!s t- e o+ t,-s Co!rt %!t a"so %e$a!se o+ t,e -ne/-ta%"e and res!"tant de"a6, -ntended or ot,er0-se, -n t,e adF!d-$at-on o+ t,e $ase 0,-$, o+ten ,as to %e re anded or re+erred to t,e "o0er $o!rt as t,e .ro.er +or! !nder t,e r!"es o+ .ro$ed!re, or as %etter eG!-..ed to reso"/e t,e -ss!es s-n$e t,-s Co!rt -s not a tr-er o+ +a$ts. Ie, t,ere+ore, re-terate t,e F!d-$-a" .o"-$6 t,at t,-s Co!rt 0-"" not enterta-n d-re$t resort to -t !n"ess t,e redress des-red $annot %e o%ta-ned -n t,e a..ro.r-ate $o!rts or 0,ere eA$e.t-ona" and $o .e""-n#

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$-r$! stan$es F!st-+6 a/a-" ent o+ a re ed6 0-t,-n and $a""-n# +or t,e eAer$-se o+ o!r .r- ar6 F!r-sd-$t-on. I@EREHORE, !nder t,e +ore#o-n# .re -ses, t,e -nstant .et-t-on +or certiorari -s ,ere%6 REMANDED, and a"" .ert-nent re$ords t,ereo+ ordered to %e HORIARDED, to t,e Co!rt o+ A..ea"s +or a..ro.r-ate a$t-on and d-s.os-t-on $ons-stent 0-t, t,e /-e0s and r!"-n# ,ere-n set +ort,, 0-t,o!t .rono!n$e ent as to $osts. SO ORDERED.