Brito, Karen Daryl L.

SSS Law
Agrarian Law and Social Legislation / 2C Republic Act No. 1161
Case Digest Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila vs. SSS

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila vs. SSS

G.R. No. 15045, 20 December 1961

FACTS:

Roman Catholic Archbishop, the Petitioner, filed with the Social Security Commission
(SSC) a request that all organizations or institutions that performs charitable and religious
activities operated by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila be exempted from the
compulsory coverage of the Social Security Law, otherwise known as Republic Act. No. 1161.
They argue that the said law does not cover religious and charitable institutions. The SSC,
through its resolution No. 572, denied the request. The petitioner requested for reconsideration
of the respondent’s resolution; however, it was denied. Hence, this appeal in pursuance of
section 5(c) of RA No. 1161, as amended.
Petitioners contended that Section 9 of the Social Security Law is in accordance with the
employer-employee relationship. They argue term employer, following the statutory construction
principle on ejusdem generis, and applied it to the specific provision of the said law. However,
their contention cannot be sustained. The said principle can only be applied only when there is
uncertainty. The term employer is sufficiently comprehensive as to include organizations that
conducts religious and charitable activities which are not organized for profit.

ISSUE:
Whether or not the Catholic Churches and all charitable and religious institutions
operated by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila shall be covered by the Social Security
Law.

RULING:
Yes. The Social Security Law was enacted in pursuant to the policy of the country to
develop a social security system that will cater the needs of the citizen and protect employees
against the hazard of sickness, old age, disability and death. This Act is a legitimate exercise of
police power. It guards labor, especially to working women and minors, in accordance with the
constitutional provision of promoting social justice to keep the safety of the citizen’s well-being
and economic security of the people. The petitioner cannot arbitrarily restrict the extent of its
provisions to relations between labor and capital in industry and agriculture.
There is no merit in the claim that the inclusion of religious organizations under the
coverage of R.A. No. 1161 violates the constitutional prohibitions against the application of
public funds for the use, benefit, or support of any priest who might be employed by the
petitioner. In fact, the funds that are being contributed to the system are not for the purpose of
public funds, but it belongs to the members which are merely held in trust by the Government.
The payment for benefits made by the priest does not constitute any violation to the Constitution
because such payment shall be made for he is an employee.
All that is required of appellant is have monthly contributions to the system for covered
employees in its employ. These are not in nature of taxes in employment. They are made for the
purpose of protecting the employees against hazards of sickness, old age, disability and death
and in connection to the provision of the Constitution of promoting social justice and economic
security.

DISPOSITION:
Resolutions Nos. 572 kind 767, series of 1958, of the Social Security Commission are
hereby affirmed. Ordered with costs against the petitioner.

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Brito, Karen Daryl L. SSS Law
Agrarian Law and Social Legislation / 2C Republic Act No. 1161
Case Digest Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila vs. SSS

CMS Estate, Inc. vs. SSS

G.R. No. 26298, 28 September 1984

FACTS:
CMS Estate, Inc, the Petitioner, is a domestic
ISSUE:
RULING:
DISPOSITION:

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