111. RAYCOR AIRCONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., petitioner, vs.

NATIONAL LABOR
RELATIONS COMMISSION AND ROLANDO LAYA, et al., respondents.
D E C I S I O N
PANGANIBAN, J.:
Were private respo!ets, e"p#o$e! %$ petitioer i its %&siess o' ista##i( air)o!itioi(
s$ste"s i %&i#!i(s, pro*e)t e"p#o$ees or re(&#ar e"p#o$ees+ A! ,ere t-eir !is"issa#s .!&e
to /petitioer0s1 preset %&siess stat&s. a! e''e)tive t-e !a$ 'o##o,i( re)eipt o' oti)e #e(a#+
W-ere %ot- t-e petitioer a! t-e respo!ets 'ai# to preset s&''i)iet a! )ovi)i( evi!e)e
to prove t-eir respe)tive )#ai"s, -o, s-o&#! t-e )ase %e !e)i!e!+
T-is Co&rt as,ers t-e 'ore(oi( 2&estios i reso#vi( t-is petitio 'or certiorari assai#i( t-e
De)isio
i
[1] pro"&#(ate! Nove"%er 34, 1445 %$ t-e Natioa# La%or Re#atios Co""issio,
ii
[2]
,-i)- set asi!e a! reverse! t-e !e)isio o' t-e #a%or ar%iter
iii
[3] !ate! 33 6a&ar$ 1445, as ,e##
as t-e s&%se2&et or!er o' respo!et Co""issio !e$i( petitioer0s "otio 'or
re)osi!eratio.
T-e 7a)ts
Petitioer0s so#e #ie o' %&siess is ista##i( air)o!itioi( s$ste"s i t-e %&i#!i(s o' its
)#iets. I )oe)tio ,it- s&)- ista##atio ,or8, petitioer -ire! private respo!ets Ro%erto
7&#(e)io, Ro#a!o La$a, 7#ore)io Espia, Ro"&#o Ma(pi#i, Ra"i# 9era!e:, Wi#'re!o Br&,
E!&ar!o Re$es, Crisosto"o Doo"pi#i, A(e#ito Rea#i(o, 9era De#i"a, 6ai"e Ca#ipa$a,
6or(e Cipriao, Car#ito !e G&:"a, S&sao Atie:a, a! Gerar!o !e G&:"a, ,-o ,or8e! i
vario&s )apa)ities as tis"it-, #ea!"a, air)o "e)-ai), ista##er, ,e#!er a! paiter. Private
respo!ets isist t-at t-e$ -a! %ee re(&#ar e"p#o$ees a## a#o(, %&t petitioer "aitais t-at
t-e$ ,ere pro*e)t e"p#o$ees ,-o ,ere assi(e! to ,or8 o spe)i'i) pro*e)ts o' petitioer, a!
t-at t-e at&re o' petitioer0s %&siess ;; "ere ista##atio /ot "a&'a)t&ri(1 o' air)o s$ste"s
a! e2&ip"et i %&i#!i(s o' its )#iets ;; prevete! petitioer 'ro" -iri( private respo!ets
as regular e"p#o$ees. As 'o&! %$ t-e #a%or ar%iter, t-eir avera(e #e(t- o' servi)e ,it-
petitioer e<)ee!e! oe $ear, ,it- so"e ra(i( 'ro" t,o to si< $ears /%&t private respo!ets
)#ai" "&)- #o(er te&res, so"e a##e(e!#$ e<)ee!i( te $ears1.
I 1441, private respo!et La$a a! 'o&rtee ot-er e"p#o$ees o' petitioer 'i#e! NLRC NCR
Case No. ==;=5;=3=>=;43 'or t-eir .re(&#ari:atio.. T-is )ase, ,as !is"isse! o Ma$ 3=, 1443
'or ,at o' )a&se o' a)tio.
iv
[4]
O !i''eret !ates i 1443, t-e$ ,ere serve! ,it- &i'or"#$;,or!e! oti)es o' .Ter"iatio o'
E"p#o$"et. %$ petitioer .!&e to o&r preset %&siess stat&s., ,-i)- ter"iatios ,ere to %e
e''e)tive t-e !a$ 'o##o,i( t-e !ate o' re)eipt o' t-e oti)es. Private respo!ets 'e#t t-e$ ,ere
(ive t-eir ,a#8i( papers a'ter t-e$ re'&se! to si( a .Cotra)t E"p#o$"et. provi!i( 'or,
a"o( ot-ers, a 'i<e! perio! o' e"p#o$"et ,-i)- .a&to"ati)a##$ ter"iates ,it-o&t e)essit$
o' '&rt-er oti)e. or eve ear#ier at petitioer0s so#e !is)retio.
Be)a&se o' t-e ter"iatio, private respo!ets 'i#e! t-ree )ases o' i##e(a# !is"issa# a(aist
petitioer, a##e(i( t-at t-e reaso (ive 'or t-e ter"iatio o' t-eir e"p#o$"et ,as ot oe o'
t-e va#i! (ro&!s t-ere'or &!er t-e La%or Co!e. T-e$ a#so )#ai"e! t-at t-e ter"iatio ,as
,it-o&t %ee'it o' !&e pro)ess.
T-e t-ree separate )ases 'i#e! %$ private respo!ets a(aist petitioer, !o)8ete! as NLRC;NCR
==;=5;=?45=;43, NLRC NCR ==;=?;=3@>4;43, a! NLRC NCR ==;=@;=5A44;43, ,ere
s&%se2&et#$ )oso#i!ate!. T-e parties ,ere (ive opport&it$ to 'i#e t-eir respe)tive
"e"ora!a a! ot-er s&pp#e"eta# p#ea!i(s %e'ore t-e #a%or ar%iter.
O 6a&ar$ 33, 1445, t-e La%or Ar%iter iss&e! -is !e)isio dismissing the complaints for lack of
merit. 9e reasoe! t-at t-e evi!e)e s-o,e! t-at t-e i!ivi!&a# )o"p#aiats /private
respo!ets1 ,ere pro*e)t e"p#o$ees ,it-i t-e "eai( o' Po#i)$ Istr&)tios No. 3= /series o'
14@@1
v
[5] o' t-e Depart"et o' La%or a! E"p#o$"et, -avi( %ee assi(e! to ,or8 o
spe)i'i) pro*e)ts ivo#vi( t-e ista##atio o' air;)o!itioi( &its as )overe! %$ )otra)ts
%et,ee t-eir e"p#o$er a! t-e #atter0s )#iets. Ne)essari#$, t-e ista##atio o' air)o!itioi(
s$ste"s ."&st )o"e to a -a#t as pro*e)ts )o"e a! (o., a! ./o1' )ose2&e)e, t-e BpetitioerC
)aot -ire ,or8ers i perpet&it$. A! as pro*e)t e"p#o$ees, private respo!ets ,o&#! ot %e
etit#e! to ter"iatio pa$, separatio pa$, -o#i!a$ pre"i&" pa$, et).D a! eit-er is t-e
e"p#o$er re2&ire! to se)&re a )#eara)e 'ro" t-e Se)retar$ o' La%or i )oe)tio ,it- s&)-
ter"iatio.
Private respo!ets appea#e! to t-e respo!et NLRC, ,-i)- i its Nove"%er 34, 1445 De)isio
reversed t-e ar%iter a! 'o&! private respo!ets to -ave %ee re(&#ar e"p#o$ees i##e(a##$
!is"isse!. T-e respo!et Co""issio "a!e t-e 'o##o,i( 'o&r;para(rap- !is2&isitio:
.7ro" t-e a%ove r&#es, it )a easi#$ %e; (#eae! t-at )o"p#aiats %e#o( to a ,or8 poo# 'ro"
,-i)- t-e respo!et )o"pa$ !re, its "apo,er re2&ire"ets. T-is is %&ttresse! %$ t-e 'a)t
t-at "a$ o' t-e )o"p#aiats -ave %ee e"p#o$e! 'or #o( perio!s o' ti"e a#rea!$.
We !o&%t respo!et0s assertio t-at )o"p#aiats ,ere rea##$ assi(e! to !i''eret pro*e)ts. T-e
0Cotra)t E"p#o$"et0 ,-i)- it s&%"itte! /see pp. 53;5>, re)or!1 p&rporti( to s-o, parti)&#ar
pro*e)ts are ot re#ia%#e a$ eve appears to -ave %ee )otrive!. T-e a"es o' t-e pro*e)ts
)#ear#$ appear to -ave %ee re)et#$ t$pe,ritte. I t-e 0Cotra)t E"p#o$"et0 s&%"itte! %$
)o"p#aiats /see p. A?, re)or!1, o s&)- a"e o' pro*e)t appears. Eeri#$, )o"p#aiats ,ere
o;pro*e)t e"p#o$ees.
Aet t-e !is"issa# o' )o"p#aiats, s&''i)e it to state t-at t-e sa"e ,as )apri)io&s a!
,-i"si)a# as s-o, %$ t-e va(&e reaso pro''ere! %$ respo!et 'or sai! !is"issa# ,-i)- is 0!&e
to o&r preset %&siess states0 /s-o&#! rea! 0stat&s01 is &!o&%te!#$ ot oe o' t-e va#i! )a&ses 'or
ter"iatio o' a e"p#o$"et. We are t-&s i)#ie! to (ive )re!e)e to )o"p#aiats0 a##e(atio
t-at t-e$ ,ere ease! o&t o' ,or8 'or t-eir re'&sa# to si( t-e oe;si!e! 0Cotra)t E"p#o$"et.0
T-e 'a)t t-at )o"p#aiats ,ere !is"isse! "ere#$ to spite t-e" is "a!e "ore "ai'est %$
respo!et0s 'ai#&re to "a8e a report o' !is"issa# or se)&re a )#eara)e 'ro" t-e Depart"et o'
La%or /see pp. 14A a! 14@, re)or!1 as re2&ire! &!er P.I. No. 3= a! t-eir p&%#i)atio o' a
a!vertise"et 'or rep#a)e"ets 'or t-e sa"e positios -e#! %$ )o"p#aiats /see p. 34>, re)or!1.
Eve ass&"i( t-at )o"p#aiats ,ere pro*e)t e"p#o$ees, t-eir &)ere"oio&s !is"issa#
)o&p#e! ,it- t-e atte"pt to rep#a)e t-e" via t-e e,spaper a!vertise"et etit#es t-e" to
reistate"et ,it- %a)8,a(es &!er P.I., No. 3=..
T-e !ispositive portio 'o##o,e! i""e!iate#$ a! rea!:
.W9ERE7ORE, t-e appea#e! De)isio is -ere%$ SET ASIDE a! a e, oe etere! or!eri(
respo!et to:
1. I""e!iate#$ reistate )o"p#aiats /private respo!ets1 to t-eir 'or"er positios
,it-o&t #oss o' seiorit$ ri(-ts a! privi#e(esD a!
3. Pa$ t-e" '&## %a)8,a(es 'ro" t-e ti"e t-e$ ,ere !is"isse! &p to t-e ti"e t-e$ are
a)t&a##$ reistate!..
Petitioer0s "otio 'or re)osi!eratio ,as !eie! %$ p&%#i) respo!et o 7e%r&ar$ 35, 144F
'or #a)8 o' "erit. 9e)e, t-is petitio.
Iss&es
Petitioer )-ar(es p&%#i) respo!et NLRC ,it- (rave a%&se o' !is)retio i 'i!i( private
respo!ets to -ave %ee o;pro*e)t e"p#o$ees a! i##e(a##$ !is"isse!, a! i or!eri( t-eir
reistate"et ,it- '&## %a)8,a(es.
7or )#arit$0s sa8e, #et &s re;state t-e pivota# 2&estios ivo#ve! i t-e istat )ase as 'o##o,s:
,-et-er private respo!ets ,ere pro*e)t e"p#o$ees or re(&#ar /o;pro*e)t1 e"p#o$ees, a!
,-et-er or ot t-e$ ,ere #e(a##$ !is"isse!.
I s&pport o' its petitio, petitioer reiterates t-e sa"e poits it raise! %e'ore t-e tri%&a#s %e#o,:
t-at it is e(a(e! so#e#$ i t-e %&siess o' ista##atio o' air)o!itioi( &its or s$ste"s i t-e
%&i#!i(s o' its )#iets. It -as o per"aet )#iets ,it- )oti&o&s pro*e)ts ,-ere its ,or8ers
)o&#! %e assi(e!D eit-er is it a "a&'a)t&ri( 'ir". Most o' its pro*e)ts #ast 'ro" t,o to t-ree
"ot-s. /T-e 'ore(oi( "atters ,ere ever )otroverte! %$ private respo!ets.1 T-&s, 'or
petitioer, ,or8 is .ot !oe i perpet&it$ %&t e)essari#$ )o"es to a -a#t ,-e t-e ista##atio o'
air)o!itioi( &its is )o"p#ete!..
O t-e %asis o' t-e 'ore(oi(, petitioer asserts t-at it )o&#! ot -ave -ire! private respo!ets
as a$t-i( ot-er t-a pro*e)t e"p#o$ees. It '&rt-er isists t-at ./a1t t-e i)ipie)e o' -iri(,
private respo!ets ,ere appraise! /si)1 t-at t-eir ,or8 )osiste! o#$ i t-e ista##atio o'
air)o!itioi( &its a! t-at as soo as t-e ista##atio is )o"p#ete!, t-eir ,or8 )eases a! t-at
t-e$ -ave to ,ait 'or aot-er ista##atio pro*e)ts /si)1.. I ot-er ,or!s, t-eir ,or8 ,as )o;
ter"io&s ,it- t-e !&ratio o' t-e pro*e)t, a! ,as ot )oti&o&s or &iterr&pte! as )#ai"e!
%$ t-e". Petitioer a#so )#ai"s t-at t-e private respo!ets si(e! pro*e)t )otra)ts o'
e"p#o$"et i!i)ati( t-e a"es o' t-e pro*e)ts or %&i#!i(s t-e$ are ,or8i( o. A! ,-e
%et,ee pro*e)ts, t-ere pro*e)t e"p#o$ees ,ere 'ree to ,or8 e#se,-ere ,it- ot-er
esta%#is-"ets.
Private respo!ets )otroverte! t-ese assertios o' petitioer, )#ai"i( t-at t-e$ -a! ,or8e!
continuously 'or petitioer 'or severa# $ears, so"e o' t-e" as #o( as te $ears, a! t-&s, %$
operatio o' #a, -a! %e)o"e re(&#ar e"p#o$ees.
T-e Co&rt0s R&#i(
Or!iari#$, t-e 'i!i(s "a!e %$ t-e NLRC are etit#e! to (reat respe)t a! are eve )#ot-e!
,it- 'ia#it$ a! !ee"e! %i!i( o t-is Co&rt, e<)ept t-at ,-e s&)- 'i!i(s are )otrar$ to
t-ose o' t-e #a%or ar%iter, t-is Co&rt "a$ )-oose to re;e<a"ie t-e sa"e, as ,e -ere%$ !o i t-is
)ase or.
T-e 7irst Iss&e: Pro*e)t E"p#o$ees or Re(&#ar E"p#o$ees+
A G'o&!e! Co)#&sio
We s)o&re! t-e assai#e! De)isio 'or a$ tra)e o' ar%itrariess, )apri)io&sess or (rave a%&se o'
!is)retio, a! ote! t-at t-e respo!et Co""issio 'irst )ite! t-e 'a)ts o' t-e )ase, t-e 2&ote!
part o' t-e ar%iter0s !is2&isitio a#o( ,it- re#evat portios o' Po#i)$ Istr&)tios No. 3=, a'ter
,-i)- it i""e!iate#$ #eapt to t-e )o)#&sio t-at "(F)rom the above rules, it can easily be
gleaned that complainants belong to a work pool from which the respondent company drew its
manpower requirements. his is buttressed by the fact that many of the complainants have been
employed for long periods of time already." /&!ers)ori( s&pp#ie!1 B$ reaso o' s&)- .'i!i(.,
respo!et NLRC )o)#&!e! t-at private respo!ets ,ere regular /ot pro*e)t1 e"p#o$ees, %&t
'ai#e! to i!i)ate t-e %asis 'or s&)- 'i!i( a! )o)#&sio. 7or o&r part, ,e )o"%e! t-e
De)isio i sear)- o' s&)- %asis. 9o,ever, repeate! s)r&ti$ o' t-e provisios o' Po#i)$
Istr&)tios No. 3= pertaii( to ,or8 poo#s "ere#$ raise! '&rt-er 2&estios.
.Me"%ers o' a ,or8 poo# 'ro" ,-i)- a )ostr&)tio )o"pa$ !ra,s its pro*e)t e"p#o$ees, i'
)osi!ere! e"p#o$ees o' t-e )ostr&)tio )o"pa$ ,-i#e i t-e ,or8 poo#, are o;pro*e)t
e"p#o$ees or e"p#o$ees 'or a i!e'iite perio!. I' t-e$ are e"p#o$e! i a parti)&#ar pro*e)t, t-e
)o"p#etio o' t-e pro*e)t or o' a$ p-ase t-ereo' ,i## ot "ea severa)e o' e"p#o$er;e"p#o$ee
re#atios-ip.
9o,ever, i' t-e ,or8ers i t-e ,or8poo# are 'ree to #eave a$ti"e a! o''er t-eir servi)es to
ot-er e"p#o$ers t-e t-e$ are pro*e)t e"p#o$ees e"p#o$e! %$ a )ostr&)tio )o"pa$ i a
parti)&#ar pro*e)t or i a p-ase t-ereo'..
A )are'&# rea!i( o' t-e a'ore2&ote! a! pre)e!i( provisios esta%#is-es t-e 'a)t that project
employees may or may not be members of a workpool, (that is, the employer may or may not
have formed a work pool at all), and in turn, members of a work pool could be either project
employees or regular employees. I t-e istat )ase, respo!et NLRC !i! ot i!i)ate -o,
private respo!ets )a"e to %e )osi!ere! "e"%ers o' a ,or8 poo# as !isti(&is-e! 'ro"
or!iar$ /o;,or8 poo#1 e"p#o$ees. It !i! ot esta%#is- t-at a ,or8 poo# e<iste! i t-e 'irst
p#a)e. Neit-er !i! it "a8e a$ 'i!i( as to ,-et-er t-e -erei private respo!ets ,ere i!ee!
'ree to #eave a$ti"e a! o''er t-eir servi)es to ot-er e"p#o$ers, as vi(oro&s#$ )ote!e! %$
petitioer, !espite t-e 'a)t t-at s&)- a !eter"iatio ,o&#! -ave %ee )riti)a# i !e'ii( t-e
pre)ise at&re o' private respo!ets0 e"p#o$"et. C#ear#$, t-e NLRC0s )o)#&sio o' re(&#ar
e"p#o$"et -as o 'a)t&a# s&pport a! is t-&s &a))epta%#e.
Co)#&sio Base! o G,arrate! Ass&"ptio o' Ba! 7ait-
I""e!iate#$ t-erea'ter, respo!et Co""issio !eter"ie! ;; ,it-o&t s&''i)iet %asis ;; t-at
)o"p#aiats ,ere o;pro*e)t e"p#o$ees. We 2&ote:
.We !o&%t respo!et0s /petitioer0s1 assertio t-at )o"p#aiats /private respo!ets1 ,ere
rea##$ assi(e! to !i''eret pro*e)ts. T-e .Cotra)t E"p#o$"et. ,-i)- it s&%"itte! /see pp. 53;
5>, re)or!1 p&rporti( to s-o, parti)&#ar po*e)ts are ot re#ia%#e a$ eve appears to -ave %ee
)otrive!. T-e a"es o' t-e pro*e)ts )#ear#$ appear to -ave %ee re)et#$ t$pe,ritte. I t-e
0Cotra)t E"p#o$"et0 s&%"itte! %$ )o"p#aiats /see p. A?, re)or!1, o s&)- a"e o' pro*e)t
appears. Eeri#$, )o"p#aiats ,ere o;pro*e)t e"p#o$ees.. /&!ers)ori( s&pp#ie!1
T-e %asis 'or respo!et NLRC0s state"et t-at t-e )otra)ts ,ere )otrive! ,as t-e 'a)t t-at t-e
a"es o' pro*e)ts )#ear#$ appeare! to -ave %ee t$pe! i o#$ a'ter t-e )otra)ts -a! %ee
prepare!. 9o,ever, o&r e<a"iatio o' t-e )otra)ts /presete! %$ petitioer as Ae<es .A.,
.B., .B;1., .C., .D., .E. a! .7.
vi
[6] to its Positio Paper !ate! 6&#$ 5=, 1443 'i#e! ,it- t-e
#a%or ar%iter1 !i! ot #ea! ie<ora%#$ to t-e )o)#&sio t-at t-ese ,ere .)otrive!.. Sai!
Ae<es ,ere p-oto)opies o' p-oto)opies o' t-e ori(ia# .Cotra)t E"p#o$"ets.,
vii
[7] a! t-e
a"es o' pro*e)ts -a! %ee t$pe! oto t-ese p-oto)opies, "eai( t-at t-e ori(ia#s o' sai!
)otra)ts pro%a%#$ !i! ot i!i)ate t-e pro*e)t a"es. B&t t-is a#oe !i! ot a&to"ati)a##$ or
e)essari#$ "ea t-at petitioer -a! )o""itte! a$ 'a#se-oo! or 'ra&!, or -a! a$ itet to
!e)eive or i"pose &po t-e tri%&a#s %e#o,, %e)a&se t-e a"es o' t-e pro*e)ts )o&#! -ave %ee
t$pe!H'i##e! i (oo! 'ait-, nunc pro tunc, i or!er to s&pp#$ t-e !ata ,-i)- o&(-t to -ave %ee
i!i)ate! i t-e ori(ia#s at t-e ti"e t-ose ,ere iss&e!, %&t ,-i)- 'or so"e reaso or ot-er ,ere
o"itte!. I s-ort, t-e a"es o' pro*e)ts )o&#! -ave %ee 'i##e! i si"p#$ i or!er to "a8e t-e
)otra)ts spea8 t-e tr&t- "ore )#ear#$ or )o"p#ete#$. Nota%#$, o reaso ,as a!va)e! 'or ot
a))or!i( t-e petitioer t-e pres&"ptio o' (oo! 'ait-. Respo!et NLRC, t-e, "a!e a
&,arrate! ass&"ptio t-at %a! 'ait- a! 'ra&!&#et itet atte!e! t-e 'i##i( i o' t-e pro*e)t
a"es i sai! Ae<es. I a$ evet, it )a %e easi#$ a! )#ear#$ esta%#is-e! ,it- t-e &se o' t-e
a8e! e$e t-at t-e !ates a! !&ratios o' t-e pro*e)ts a!Hor ,or8 assi("ets -a! %ee t$pe!
ito t-e ori(ia# )otra)ts, a! t-ere'ore, petitioer0s 'ai#&re to i!i)ate i t-e ori(ia#s o' t-e
)otra)ts t-e a"e/s1 o' t-e pro*e)t/s1 to ,-i)- private respo!ets ,ere assi(e! does not
necessarily mean t-at t-e$ )o&#! ot -ave %ee pro*e)t e"p#o$ees. /I)i!eta##$, ,e s-o&#!
"a8e "etio -ere t-at ,-at is or is ot state! i a )otra)t !oes ot )otro# or )-a(e t-e
6&ri!i)a# at&re o' a e"p#o$"et re#atios-ip si)e t-e sa"e is !eter"ie! a! 'i<e! %$ #a,.
As a "atter o' 'a)t, ,e ote t-at t-ere is o re2&ire"et i Po#i)$ Istr&)tios No. 3= t-at pro*e)t
e"p#o$ees s-o&#! %e iss&e! written )otra)ts o' e"p#o$"et, #et a#oe t-at a ,ritte )otra)t
s-o&#! i!i)ate t-e a"e o' t-e pro*e)t to ,-i)- t-e e"p#o$ee )o)ere! is %ei( assi(e!.1
Stat&tor$ Basis 'or Deter"ii( Nat&re o' E"p#o$"et
T-e parties a! t-eir respe)tive )o&se#, as ,e## as respo!et Co""issio a! t-e So#i)itor
Geera#, s-o&#! -ave re;rea! a! )are'&##$ st&!ie! !"#$#%& vs. 'ational "abor (elations
%ommission,
viii
[8] ,-i)- is -i(-#$ istr&)tioa# o t-is 2&estio:
.T-e #a, o t-e "atter is Arti)#e 3>= o' t-e La%or Co!e ,-i)- rea!s i '&##:
0Arti)#e 3>=. (egular and %asual )mployment $$ T-e provisios o' t-e ,ritte a(ree"et to t-e
)otrar$ ot,it-sta!i( a! re(ar!#ess o' t-e ora# a(ree"et o' t-e parties, a e"p#o$"et
s-a## %e !ee"e! to %e re(&#ar ,-ere t-e e"p#o$ee -as %ee e(a(e! to per'or" a)tivities ,-i)-
are &s&a##$ e)essar$ or !esira%#e i t-e &s&a# %&siess or tra!e o' t-e e"p#o$er, e*cept where
the employment has been fi*ed for a specific pro+ect or undertaking the completion or
termination of which has been determined at the time of the engagement of the employee or
,-ere t-e ,or8 or servi)es to %e per'or"e! is seasoa# i at&re a! t-e e"p#o$"et is 'or t-e
!&ratio o' t-e seaso.
A e"p#o$"et s-a## %e !ee"e! to %e )as&a# i' it is ot )overe! %$ t-e pre)e!i( para(rap-:
Provi!e!, T-at, a$ e"p#o$ee ,-o -as re!ere! at #east oe $ear o' servi)e, ,-et-er s&)-
servi)e is )oti&o&s or %ro8e, s-a## %e )osi!ere! a re(&#ar e"p#o$ee ,it- respe)t to t-e
a)tivit$ i ,-i)- -e is e"p#o$e! a! -is e"p#o$"et s-a## )oti&e ,-i#e s&)- a)tivit$ e<ists.0
<<<
< < < < < < < < <
< < < 7or, as is evi!et 'ro" t-e provisios o' Arti)#e 3>= o' t-e La%or Co!e, 2&ote! ear#ier, t-e
pri)ipa# test 'or !eter"ii( ,-et-er parti)&#ar e"p#o$ees are proper#$ )-ara)teri:e! as 0pro*e)t
e"p#o$ees0 as !isti(&is-e! 'ro" 0re(&#ar e"p#o$ees,0 is ,-et-er or ot t-e 0pro*e)t e"p#o$ees0
,ere assi(e! to )arr$ o&t a 0spe)i'i) pro*e)t or &!erta8i(,0 t-e !&ratio /a! s)ope1 o' ,-i)-
,ere spe)i'ie! at t-e ti"e t-e e"p#o$ees ,ere e(a(e! 'or t-at pro*e)t. /&!ers)ori( o&rs1
I t-e rea#" o' %&siess a! i!&str$, ,e ote t-at 0pro*e)t0 )o&#! re'er to < < < a parti)&#ar *o% or
&!erta8i( t-at is ,it-i t-e re(&#ar or &s&a# %&siess o' t-e e"p#o$er )o"pa$, %&t ,-i)- is
!isti)t a! separate, a! i!eti'ia%#e as s&)-, 'ro" t-e ot-er &!erta8i(s o' t-e )o"pa$. S&)-
*o% or &!erta8i( %e(is a! e!s at !eter"ie! or !eter"ia%#e ti"es. T-e t$pi)a# e<a"p#e o'
t-is < < < t$pe o' pro*e)t is a parti)&#ar )ostr&)tio *o% or pro*e)t o' a )ostr&)tio )o"pa$. A
)ostr&)tio )o"pa$ or!iari#$ )arrie! o&t t,o or "ore !is)rete i!eti'ia%#e )ostr&)tio
pro*e)ts: e.(., a t,et$;'ive.stor$ -ote# i Ma8atiD a resi!etia# )o!o"ii&" %&i#!i( i Ba(&io
Cit$D a! a !o"esti) air ter"ia# i I#oi#o Cit$. E"p#o$ees ,-o are -ire! 'or t-e )arr$i( o&t o'
oe o' t-ese separate pro*e)ts, t-e s)ope a! !&ratio o' ,-i)- -as %ee !eter"ie! a! "a!e
8o, to t-e e"p#o$ees at t-e ti"e o' e"p#o$"et, are proper#$ treate! as 0pro*e)t e"p#o$ees,0
a! t-eir servi)es "a$ %e #a,'&##$ ter"iate! at )o"p#etio o' t-e pro*e)t..
T-e sa"e !e)isio (oes o to sa$:
i<
[9]
.< < < T-e si"p#e 'a)t t-at t-e e"p#o$"et o' petitioers as pro*e)t e"p#o$ees -a! (oe %e$o!
oe /11 $ear, !oes ot !etra)t 'ro", or #e(a##$ !isso#ve, t-eir stat&s as pro*e)t e"p#o$ees. T-e
se)o! para(rap- o' Arti)#e 3>= o' t-e La%or Co!e, 2&ote! a%ove, provi!i( t-at a e"p#o$ee
,-o -as serve! 'or at #east oe /11 $ear, s-a## %e )osi!ere! a re(&#ar e"p#o$ee, re#ates to casual
employees, ot to pro*e)t e"p#o$ees.
I t-e )ase o' ,ercado, -r. vs. 'ational "abor (elations %ommission /3=1 SCRA 553 B1441C1,
t-is Co&rt r&#e! t-at t-e proviso i t-e se)o! para(rap- o' Arti)#e 3>= re#ates o#$ to casual
employees a! is ot app#i)a%#e to t-ose ,-o 'a## ,it-i t-e !e'iitio o' sai! Arti)#e0s 'irst
para(rap-, i.e.. pro+ect employees. < < <.
I)i!eta##$, ,e s-o&#! "etio t-at %ot- respo!et Co""issio a! t-e So#i)itor Geera#
,ere i error i )o)#&!i( %ase! o private respo!ets0 )#ai"e! #e(t- o' e"p#o$"et
/a##e(e!#$ 'or over te $ears1 t-at t-e$ ,ere re(&#ar e"p#o$ees. Sa! to state, t-e So#i)itor
Geera# i -is ar(&"ets trie! to .'or)e;'it. private respo!ets ito t-e .re(&#ar e"p#o$ee.
)ate(or$ a! )o"p#ete!#$ !isre(ar!e! t-e )riti)a# !isti)tios set 'ort- i !"#$#%& a! ear#ier
)ases.
I)o)#&sive Evi!e)e
Base! o t-e 'ore(oi( )osi!eratios, it is patet t-at, i t-e istat )ase, t-ere ee!s to %e a
'i!i( as to ,-et-er or ot t-e !&ratio a! s)ope o' t-e pro*e)t or pro*e)ts ,ere !eter"ie! or
spe)i'ie! a! "a!e 8o, to -erei private respo!ets at t-e ti"e o' t-eir e(a(e"et. T-e
#a%or ar%iter trie! to !o t-is, re#$i( -eavi#$ o t-e .Cotra)t/s1 E"p#o$"et. presete! i
petitioer0s Ae<es as well as o private respo!ets0 o, Ae< .A.
<
[10] atta)-e! to t-eir
Positio Paper, a! )iti( t-e 'a)t t-at t-e sai! )otra)ts o' e"p#o$"et i!i)ate! t-e !&ratio o'
t-e pro*e)ts to ,-i)- t-e private respo!ets -a! %ee assi(e!. 9e t-e -e#! t-at ./t1-ere is o
!eia# t-at )o"p#aiats ,ere assi(e! to ,or8 i t-ese pro*e)ts,.
<i
[11] a! )o)#&!e! t-at t-e$
,ere i!ee! pro*e)t e"p#o$ees.
B&t t-e ar%iter )o"p#ete! i(ore! t-e 'a)t t-at a## t-e .Cotra)t/s1 E"p#o$"et. presete! i
evi!e)e %$ %ot- petitioer a! private respo!ets -a! %ee si(e! o#$ %$ petitioer0s
presi!et a! (eera# "aa(er, L&is 7. Orte(a, %&t not by the employees concerned, ,-o -a!
pre)ise#$ re'&se! to si( t-e". T-e sai! )otra)ts t-ere'ore )o&#! i o ,ise %e !ee"e!
)o)#&sive evi!e)e. T-&s, private respo!ets 'a&#te! t-e #a%or ar%iter 'or (ivi( )re!e)e a!
pro%ative va#&e to sai! )otra)ts. Besi!es, t-e$ )#ai"e!, o#$ seve )otra)ts i a## ,ere
presete! i evi!e)e, pertaii( to seve i!ivi!&a# e"p#o$ees, ,-i#e t-ere are 'i'tee
e"p#o$ees ivo#ve! i t-e )o"p#aits. Moreover, t-ese )otra)ts, p&rporte!#$ iss&e! eit-er i
6&#$ or De)e"%er o' 1441, e<)ept 'or oe !ate! Ma$ 14431, ,ere a## oe;s-ot )otra)ts o' s-ort
!&ratio, t-e #o(est %ei( 'or a%o&t 'ive "ot-s. No,, ias"&)- as petitioer -a! ot !eie!
or re%&tte! private respo!ets0 a##e(atios t-at t-e$ -a! ea)- ,or8e! severa# $ears 'or t-e
petitioer, t-e o%vio&s 2&estio is, ,-$ !i!0t petitioer pro!&)e i evi!e)e si"i#ar )otra)ts 'or
a## t-e ot-er $ears t-at private respo!ets -a! ,or8e! as pro*e)t e"p#o$ees+ To t-ese poits,
petitioer o''ere! o e<p#aatio ,-atsoever.
7ai#&re to Dis)-ar(e B&r!e o' Proo'
7or t-at "atter, it see"s se#';evi!et to t-is Co&rt t-at, eve i' t-e )otra)ts presete! %$
petitioer -a! %ee si(e! %$ t-e e"p#o$ees )o)ere!, sti##, t-e$ ,o&#! ot )ostit&te
)o)#&sive proo' o' petitioer0s )#ai". A'ter a##, i t-e &s&a# s)-e"e o' t-i(s, )otra)t ter"s are
or"a##$ !i)tate! %$ t-e e"p#o$er a! si"p#$ a))e!e! to a! a))epte! %$ t-e e"p#o$ee, ,-o
"a$ %e !esperate 'or ,or8 a! t-ere'ore i o positio to %ar(ai 'ree#$ or e(otiate ter"s to -is
#i8i(.
I a$ evet, petitioer i t-is )ase &!o&%te!#$ )o&#! -ave presete! a!!itioa# evi!e)e to
%&ttress its )#ai". 7or ista)e, petitioer )o&#! -ave presete! )opies o' its )otra)ts ,it- its
)#iets, to s-o, t-e ti"e, !&ratio a! s)ope o' past ista##atio pro*e)ts. T-e !ata 'ro" t-ese
)otra)ts )o&#! t-e -ave %ee )orre#ate! to t-e !ata ,-i)- )o&#! %e 'o&! i petitioer0s pa$ro##
re)or!s 'or, #et &s sa$, t-e past t-ree $ears or so,
<ii
[12] to s-o, t-at private respo!ets -a! %ee
,or8i( iter"ittet#$ as a! ,-e t-e$ ,ere assi(e! to sai! pro*e)ts, a! t-at t-eir
)o"pesatio -a! %ee )o"p&te! o t-e %asis o' s&)- ,or8. B&t petitioer !i! ot pro!&)e s&)-
a!!itioa# evi!e)e, a! ,e 'i! t-at it 'ai#e! to !is)-ar(e its %&r!e o' proo'.
It is ot so "&)- t-at t-is Co&rt )aot appre)iate petitioer0s )otetios a%o&t t-e at&re o' its
%&siess a! its ia%i#it$ to "aitai a #ar(e ,or8'or)e o its per"aet pa$ro##. Private
respo!ets -ave a!"itte! t-at petitioer is e(a(e! o#$ i t-e ista##atio /ot "a&'a)t&re1 o'
air)o s$ste"s or &its i %&i#!i(s, a! si)e s&)- a #ie o' %&siess ,o&#! o%vio&s#$ %e -i(-#$
/i' ot ,-o##$1 !epe!et o t-e avai#a%i#it$ o' %&i#!i(s or pro*e)ts re2&iri( s&)- ista##atio
servi)es, ,-i)- 'a)tor o %&siess"a, o "atter -o, savv$, )a a))&rate#$ 'ore)ast 'ro" $ear
to $ear, it )a %e easi#$ s&r"ise! t-at petitioer, a,are t-at its reve&es a! i)o"e ,o&#! %e
&pre!i)ta%#e, ,o&#! a#,a$s tr$ to 8eep its over-ea! )osts to a "ii"&", a! ,o&#! at&ra##$
,at to e(a(e ,or8ers o a per;pro*e)t or per;%&i#!i( %asis o#$, retaii( ver$ 'e, e"p#o$ees
/i' a$1 o its per"aet pa$ro##. It ,o&#! a#so -ave %ee "ore t-a (#a! i' its e"p#o$ees 'o&!
ot-er e"p#o$"et e#se,-ere, i %et,ee pro*e)ts. To o&r "i!, it appears rat-er &#i8e#$ t-at
petitioer ,o&#! 8eep private respo!ets ;; a## 'i'tee o' t-e" ;; )oti&o&s#$ o its per"aet
pa$ro## 'or, sa$, te or t,e#ve $ears, 8o,i( '&##$ ,e## t-at t-ere ,o&#! %e perio!s /o' &)ertai
!&ratio1 ,-e o pro*e)t )a %e -a!. To i##&strate, #et &s ass&"e t-at private respo!ets /,-o
,ere ea)- "a8i( a%o&t P11>.== to P114.?= per !a$ i 14411 ,ere pai! o#$ P1==.== per !a$. I'
t-e 'i'tee ,ere, as t-e$ )#ai"e!, re(&#ar e"p#o$ees etit#e! to t-eir ,a(es re(ar!#ess o' ,-et-er
or ot t-e$ ,ere assi(e! to ,or8 o a$ pro*e)t, t-e over-ea! 'or t-eir sa#aries a#oe ;;
)o"p&te! at P1==.==H!a$ 'or 5= !a$s i a "ot- ;; ,o&#! )o"e to o #ess t-a PF?,===.== a
"ot-, or P?F=,===.== a $ear, ot )o&ti( 15t- "ot- pa$, C-rist"as %o&s, SSSHMe!i)are
pre"i&" pa$"ets, si)8 #eaves a! servi)e i)etives #eaves, a! so 'ort-. Eve i' petitioer
"a$ -ave %ee a%#e to a''or! s&)- over-ea! )osts, it )ertai#$ !oes ot "a8e %&siess sese 'or it
or a$oe e#se to !o so, a! is i ever$ sese )otrar$ to -&"a at&re, ot to "etio )o""o
%&siess pra)ti)e. O t-is s)ore a#oe, ,e %e#ieve t-at petitioer )o&#! -ave "a!e o&t a stro(
)ase. W-i)- is ,-$ ,e -ave !i''i)&#t$ &!ersta!i( its 'ai#&re to preset )#ear a! )ovi)i(
evi!e)e o t-is poit, it %ei( !o)tria# t-at i i##e(a# !is"issa# )ases, t-e e"p#o$er a#,a$s -as
t-e %&r!e o' proo'.
<iii
[13]
Petitioer0s pro%#e" o' ,ea8 evi!e)e ,as '&rt-er )o"po&!e! %$ )ertai !o)&"etar$
evi!e)e i t-e re)or!s %e#o, ,-i)- )otroverte! petitioer0s positio, or, at t-e ver$ #east,
te!e! to )o'&se rat-er t-a )#ari'$ "atters. 7or ista)e, ,e ote! t-at i t-eir Me"ora!&"
o' Appea# !ate! 7e%r&ar$ 1@, 1445 'i#e! ,it- t-e respo!et Co""issio, -erei private
respo!ets -a! atta)-e! as ae<es t-ereto t-e 'o##o,i( !o)&"ets:
1. As Ae< .B. t-ereo', a Certi'i)atio !ate! 6a&ar$ 3>, 1443, si(e! %$ oe 7#ora P. Pere:,
A!"iistrativeHA))o&tat o' Ra$)or, )erti'$i( t-at .< < < Mr. Ro%erto B. 7&#(e)io /oe o' t-e
private respo!ets1 -as %ee )oe)te! ,it- t-e &!ersi(e! )orporatio /Ra$)or1 'ro" A&(&st
33, 14>A to Ma$ 1>, 1441 a! Septe"%er =1, 144= to 6a&ar$ 3?, 1443 as Air)o Ista##er.D
3. As Ae< .C. t-ereo', a Certi'i)atio !ate! Ma$ @, 14>?, si(e! %$ L&is 7. Orte(a, Presi!et
a! Geera# Maa(er o' -erei petitioer )orporatio, to t-e e''e)t t-at .< < < Mr. 6ai"e
Ca#ipa$a /aot-er oe o' t-e private respo!ets1 -as %ee )oe)te! ,it- t-e &!ersi(e!
)orporatio 'ro" 6&e 1>, 14>3 &p to preset as a Me)-ai)a# Ista##er .D a!
5. As Ae< .D. t-ereo', a Certi'i)atio !ate! 6&e =A, 1441, #i8e,ise si(e! %$ L&is G. Orte(a,
presi!et a! (eera# "aa(er o' Ra$)or, )erti'$i( t-at .< < < Mr. S&sao A. Atie:a /sti##
aot-er o' t-e private respo!ets1 -as %ee )oe)te! ,it- t-e &!ersi(e! )orporatio 'ro"
O)to%er 1=, 14>5 &p to preset as Air)o Me)-ai)HTe)-i)ia..
G!ersta!a%#$, private respo!ets "a!e %i( )apita# o&t o' t-ese )erti'i)atios. B&t, ,-i#e
petitioer 'ai#e! &tter#$ to o''er re%&tti( evi!e)e, sti## a! a##, ,e are ot prepare! to )o)#&!e
o t-e %asis o' t-ese )erti'i)atios a#oe t-at private respo!ets ,ere i!ee! re(&#ar e"p#o$ees.
7irst o' a##, sai! )erti'i)atios re'er o#$ to t-ree o&t o' t-e 'i'tee private respo!ets, so ,-at
)o&#! %e tr&e o' t-e" "a$ ot e)essari#$ app#$ ,it- respe)t to t-e ot-er t,e#ve. Moreover, t-e
)erti'i)atios !o ot )ate(ori)a##$ state t-at t-e t-ree e"p#o$ees -a! %ee permanent employees
o' Ra$)or. I ot-er ,or!s, t-e$ !o ot e)essari#$ overt&r petitioer0s )otetio t-at private
respo!ets ,ere pro+ect employees, si)e it is sti## possi%#e to rea! t-e !o)&"ets a sa$i( t-at
t-e a"e! e"p#o$ees ,ere ,or8i( as pro*e)t e"p#o$ees !&ri( t-e perio!s t-erei spe)i'ie!.
T-is is espe)ia##$ so si)e t-e sai! )erti'i)atios ,ere prepare! %$ non$lawyers ,-o i a##
#i8e#i-oo! ,ere ot a,are o' t-e potetia# #e(a# i"p#i)atios a! ra"i'i)atios o' ,-at ,ere
ostesi%#$ io)&o&s )erti'i)atios. As -e#! i oe re)et )ase, .< < < it is -o,ever ot !i''i)&#t
to &!ersta! t-at or!iar$ %&siess a)tivities are per'or"e! i t-e or"a# )o&rse ,it-o&t
ati)ipatio or 'ore8o,#e!(e o' #iti(atio, o'te ,it- !ispat)- a! &s&a##$ ,it- a "ii"&" o'
!o)&"etatio.I
<iv
[14] Noet-e#ess, a## t-i(s )osi!ere!, t-e )erti'i)atios, iss&e! %$ petitioer
itse#', te! to p&t its )#ai"s i serio&s !o&%t.
T-e sit&atio ,as sti## '&rt-er a((ravate! %$ t-e "aer i ,-i)- petitioer !is"isse! private
respo!ets. As 'o&! %$ respo!et Co""issio, t-e reaso (ive 'or t-e !is"issa#s, i.e., .!&e
to o&r preset %&siess stat&s,. is va(&e, to sa$ t-e #east, a! &ar(&a%#$ is ot oe o' t-e va#i! or
*&st )a&ses provi!e! %$ #a, 'or ter"iatio o' a e"p#o$"et, ,-atever its )#assi'i)atio. B&t
"ore si(i'i)at#$ ;; i' i!ee! private respo!ets ,ere pro*e)t e"p#o$ees, t-ere ,o&#! -ave
%ee o ee! to ter"iate t-e" %$ se!i( t-e" oti)es o' ter"iatio, ias"&)- as t-eir
e"p#o$"et )eases .as a res&#t o' t-e )o"p#etio o' t-e pro*e)t or a$ p-ase t-ereo' i ,-i)-
t-e$ are e"p#o$e!,. per Po#i)$ Istr&)tio No. 3= itse#'. T-&s, i' petitioer resorte! to s&)-
!is"issa#s, t-ere is t-e &avoi!a%#e i'ere)e t-at petitioer re(ar!e! t-e private respo!ets as
re(&#ar e"p#o$ees a'ter a##. B&t a(ai, t-is is i)o)#&sive, si)e t-e oti)es o' ter"iatio ,ere
si(e!, a! i a## #i8e#i-oo! prepare!, %$ t-e presi!et a! (eera# "aa(er o' petitioer,
pro%a%#$ sans a$ #e(a# a!vi)e or a,areess o' t-e i"p#i)atios o' s&)- a "ove.
A## t-e a'oresai! )o'#i)ti( !ata -ave t-e et e''e)t o' )asti( !o&%t &po a! )#o&!i( t-e rea#
at&re o' t-e private respo!ets0 e"p#o$"et stat&s. A! ,e are "a!ate! %$ #a, to reso#ve a##
!o&%ts i 'avor o' #a%or. 7or ,-i)- reaso, ,e -ere%$ -o#! t-at private respo!ets ,ere re(&#ar
e"p#o$ees o' t-e petitioer.
9avi( arrive! at %asi)a##$ t-e sa"e res&#ts as respo!et NLRC ,it- respe)t to private
respo!ets0 e"p#o$"et stat&s, !i! t-is Co&rt ,aste its ti"e a! e''ort i re;e<a"ii( t-e
istat )ase+ T-e as,er is i t-e e(ative, t-is Co&rt )aot a''ir" a !e)isio or *&!("et
%ase! o erroeo&s 'i!i(s a! )o)#&sios, 'or *&sti)e )a ever %e a!e2&ate#$ !ispese! to a##
parties i' a *&!("et is ot (ro&!e! o t-e tr&t-.
Se)o! Iss&e: Ter"iatios I##e(a#
O t-e se)o! iss&e o' a##e(e! i##e(a#it$ o' t-e s&%*e)t !is"issa#s, ,e a(ree ,it- respo!et
Co""issio ,-e it -e#!, as "etioe! a%ove, t-at .the same was capricious and whimsical as
shown by the vague reason proffered by respondent for said dismissal which is /due to our
present business states/ (should read /status/) is undoubtedly not one of the valid causes for
termination of an employment.. Tr&e i!ee!, 'or eit-er tr-e La%or Co!e or Po#i)$ Istr&)tios
No. 3= a##o,s ter"iatio o s&)- (ro&!. Eve Art. 3>5 o' t-e La%or Co!e as a"e!e!, ,-i)-
treats o' retre)-"ets a! )#os&res !&e to %&siess #osses, re2&ires t-at t-e e"p#o$er 'irst serve
,ritte oti)e o t-e ,or8ers a! t-e Depart"et o' La%or at #east oe "ot- %e'ore t-e
ite!e! !ate t-ereo'D a! i )ertai )ases, separatio pa$ "&st %e pai!. A! it )aot %e !eie!
t-at i t-e istat )ase, petitioer !i! ot a''or! t-e" !&e pro)ess t-r& t-e t,i re2&ire"ets o'
oti)e a! -eari(,
<v
[15] as t-e ter"iatios too8 e''e)t t-e !a$ 'o##o,i( re)eipt o' t-e oti)es
o' ter"iatio. Ie#&)ta%#$, t-e sai! ter"iatios are ot i a))or!a)e ,it- #a, a! t-ere'ore
i##e(a#.
O top o' t-at, t-ere is evi!e)e o' t-e %a! 'ait- o' petitioer i ter"iati( t-e private
respo!ets. Petitioer p#a)e! a a!
<vi
[16] i t-e )#assi'ie! a!s se)tio o' t-e &eople/s Journal,
so"eti"e i 6&e 1443
<vii
[17] ,-i)- rea!:
"WANTED IMMEDIATELY
MEC9ANICAL INSTALLERS
TINSMIT9S
WELDERSHPIPE7ITTERS

APPLY IN PERSON:
RAYCOR AIR CONTROL
SYSTEMS, INC.
RM 5=A 3=T9 CENTGRY BLDG.
A53 S9AW BLED., MAND.
METRO MANILA.
G"ista8a%#$, petitioer, i p#a)i( t-e a!, "&st -ave -a! at #east oe pro*e)t, "a$%e "ore, .i
t-e pipe#ie. at t-at ti"e, a! ,as )#ear#$ i ee! o' rep#a)e"ets 'or private respo!ets ,-o"
it -a! *&st 'ire!. T-&s, t-e !is"issa#s )o&#! -ar!#$ -ave %ee !&e to a va#i! )a&se, ot eve !&e
to petitioer0s a##e(e! .preset %&siess stat&s.. O t-is )o&t as ,e##, t-e !is"issa#s ,ere
i##e(a#.
A! #ast#$, ,e s-o&#! "etio t-at a or!er 'or reistate"et ,it- pa$"et o' %a)8,a(es "&st
%e %ase! o t-e )orre)t pre"ises. T-is poit is %est i##&strate! %$ )osi!eri( t-e #ast
ratio)iatio &ti#i:e! %$ p&%#i) respo!et: .)ven assuming that complainants were pro+ect
employees, their unceremonious dismissal coupled with the attempt to replace them via the
newspaper advertisement entitles them to reinstatement with backwages under &.0. 'o. 12..
T-ere is a ,or#! o' !i''ere)e %et,ee reistate"et as pro*e)t e"p#o$ees a! reistate"et as
re(&#ar e"p#o$ees, %&t t-e !i''ere)e ,as o%vio&s#$ #ost o t-e respo!et NLRC.
Co)#&sio
We reiterate t-at t-is Co&rt ,a!e! t-ro&(- t-e re)or!s o' t-is )ase sear)-i( 'or so#i! evi!e)e
&po ,-i)- to !e)i!e t-e )ase eit-er ,a$. B&t a## to#!, eit-er part$ "aa(e! to "a8e o&t a )#ear
)ase. T-ere'ore, )osi!eri( t-at i i##e(a# !is"issa# )ases, t-e e"p#o$er a#,a$s -as t-e %&r!e
o' proo', a! )osi!eri( '&rt-er t-at t-e #a, "a!ates t-at a## !o&%ts, &)ertaities, a"%i(&ities,
a! is&''i)ie)ies %e reso#ve! i 'avor o' #a%or, ,e per'or)e r&#e a(aist petitioer a! i 'avor
o' private respo!ets.
WHEREFORE, t-e 'ore(oi( )osi!ere!, t-e assai#e! De)isio is -ere%$ -) !-03) a! a
e, oe re!ere! -o#!i( t-at petitioer -a! 'ai#e! to !is)-ar(e its %&r!e o' proo' i t-e istat
)ase a! t-ere'ore 4(3)(0'5 t-e reistate"et o' private respo!ets as re(&#ar e"p#o$ees o'
petitioer, ,it-o&t #oss o' seiorit$ ri(-ts a! privi#e(es a! ,it- pa$"et o' %a)8,a(es 'ro"
t-e !a$ t-e$ ,ere !is"isse! &p to t-e ti"e t-e$ are a)t&a##$ reistate!. No )osts.
SO ORDERED.
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