Case Doctrines in Labor Law

CASE DOCTRINES IN LABOR LAW REVIEW

Compiled by Glenn Rey D. Anino
Juris Doctor
University of Cebu

Labadan vs. Forest Hills Academy, 575 SCRA 262 , December 23, 2008
Labor Law; Illegal Dismissals; Burden of Proof; While in cases of illegal dismissal, the
employer bears the burden of proving that the dismissal is for a valid or authorized
cause, the employee must first establish by substantial evidence the fact of dismissal.
While in cases of illegal dismissal, the employer bears the burden of proving that the
dismissal is for a valid or authorized cause, the employee must first establish by
substantial evidence the fact of dismissal. The records do not show that petitioner was
dismissed from the service. They in fact show that despite petitioners absence from
July 2001 to March 2002 which, by her own admission, exceeded her approved leave,
she was still considered a member of the Forest Hills faculty which retained her in its
payroll.
Same; Labor Standards; Holiday Pay; The provision that a worker is entitled to twice his
regular rate if he is required to work on a holiday implies that the provision entitling a
worker to his regular rate on holidays applies even if he does not work.Respecting
petitioners claim for holiday pay, Forest Hills contends that petitioner failed to prove that
she actually worked during specific holidays. Article 94 of the Labor Code provides,
however, that (a) Every worker shall be paid his regular daily wage during regular
holidays, except in retail and service establishments regularly employing less than ten
(10) workers; (b) The employer may require an employee to work on any holiday but
such employee shall be paid a compensation equivalent to twice his regular rate[.] The
provision that a worker is entitled to twice his regular rate if he is required to work on a
holiday implies that the provision entitling a worker to his [Labadan vs. Forest Hills
Academy, 575 SCRA 262(2008)]

People vs. Panis, 142 SCRA 664, July 11, 1986

Labor; Recruitment and placement; Interpretation; Article 13(b) of P.D. 442, interpreted;
Presumption that the individual or entity is engaged in recruitment and placement
whenever two or more persons are involved; Number of persons, not an essential
ingredient of the act of recruitment and placement of workers.As we see it, the
proviso was intended neither to impose a condition on the basic rule nor to provide an
exception thereto but merely to create a presumption. The presumption is that the
individual or entity is engaged in recruitment and placement whenever he or it is dealing
with two or more persons to whom, in consideration of a fee, an offer or promise of
employment is made in the course of the canvassing, enlisting, contracting,
transporting, utilizing, hiring or procuring (of) workers. The number of persons dealt
with is not an essential ingredient of the act of recruitment and placement of workers.
Any of the acts mentioned in the basic rule in Article 13(b) will constitute recruitment and
placement even if only one prospective worker is involved. The proviso merely lays
down a rule of evidence that where a fee is collected in consideration of a promise or
offer of employment to two or more prospective workers, the individual or entity dealing
with them shall be deemed to be engaged in the act of recruitment and placement. The
words shall be deemed create that presumption.

Same; Same; Same; Same; Words shall be deemed in Art. 13(b) of P.D. 442, meaning
of.In the instant case, the word shall be deemed should by the same token be given
the force of a disputable presumption or of prima facie evidence of engaging in
recruitment and placement.

C.F. Sharp Crew Management, Inc. vs. Espanol, Jr., 533 SCRA 424 , September 14,
2007
Labor Law; Labor Code, Judgment; Appeals; A judgment debtor who acquiesces of and
voluntarily complies with the judgment is estopped from taking an appeal therefrom.

Same; Same; Illegal Recruitment; Definition of Recruitment and Placement; The

conduct of preparatory interviews is a recruitment activity.Article 13(b) of the Labor
Code defines recruitment and placement as: any act of canvassing, enlisting,
contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring or procuring workers, and includes referrals,
contract services, promising or advertising for employment, locally or abroad whether
for profit or not: Provided, That any person or entity which in any manner, offers or
promises for a fee employment to two or more persons shall be deemed engaged in
recruitment and placement. On the basis of this definitionand contrary to what C.F.
Sharp wants to portraythe conduct of preparatory interviews is a recruitment activity.
Same; Same; Same; It is the lack of the necessary license or authority, not the fact of
payment, that renders the recruitment activity of LCL unlawful.The fact that C.F.
Sharp did not receive any payment during the interviews is of no moment. From the
language of Article 13(b), the act of recruitment may be for profit or not. Notably, it is
the lack of the necessary license or authority, not the fact of payment, that renders the
recruitment activity of LCL unlawful.

Same; Appeals; Due Process; The essence of due process lies in the reasonable
opportunity afforded a party to be heard and to submit any evidence in support of its
defense; What is vital is not the opportunity to cross-examine an adverse witness, but
an opportunity to be heard.The claim of denial of due process on the part of C.F.
Sharp must also be rejected. The essence of due process lies in the reasonable
opportunity afforded a party to be heard and to submit any evidence in support of its
defense. What is vital is not the opportunity to cross-examine an adverse witness, but
an opportunity to be heard. In this case, C.F. Sharp was given ample opportunity to be
heard, to adduce evidence in support of its version of the material occurrences, and to
controvert Rizals allegation and the Inspection Report. It submitted its position paper
with supporting affidavits and documents, and additionally pleaded its causes on appeal
before the Secretary of Labor. Under the circumstances, a claim of denial of due
process on C.F. Sharps part is completely unavailing.
Same; Same; Judicial review of labor cases does not go beyond the evaluation of the
sufficiency of the evidence upon which the labor officials findings rest.C.F. Sharp
would have us re-evaluate the factual veracity and probative value of the evidence
submitted in the proceedings a quo. C.F. Sharp may well be reminded that it is not our
function to review, examine, and evaluate or weigh the evidence adduced by the
parties. Elementary is the principle that this Court is not a trier of facts. Judicial review of
labor cases does not go beyond the evaluation of the sufficiency of the evidence upon
which the labor officials findings rest. Hence, where the factual findings of the labor
tribunals or agencies conform to, and are affirmed by, the CA, the same are accorded
respect and finality, and are binding upon this Court. It is only when the findings of the
labor agencies and the appellate court are in conflict that this Court will review the
records to determine which findings should be upheld as being more in conformity with
the evidentiary facts. Where the CA affirms the labor agencies on review and there is no
showing whatsoever that said findings are patently erroneous, this Court is bound by
the said findings. [C.F. Sharp Crew Management, Inc. vs. Espanol, Jr., 533 SCRA
424(2007)]

Santiago vs. CF Sharp Crew Management, Inc., 527 SCRA 165 , July 10, 2007
Labor Law; Employer-Employee Relationships; Seafarers; Considering that petitioner
was not able to depart from the airport or seaport in the point of hire, the employment
contract did not commence and no employer-employee relationship was created
between the parties.There is no question that the parties entered into an employment
contract on 3 February 1998, whereby petitioner was contracted by respondent to
render services on board MSV Seaspread for the consideration of US$515.00 per
month for nine (9) months, plus overtime pay. However, respondent failed to deploy
petitioner from the port of Manila to Canada. Considering that petitioner was not able to
depart from the airport or seaport in the point of hire, the employment contract did not
commence, and no employer-employee relationship was created between the parties.
Same; Same; Distinction must be made between the perfection of the employment
contract and the commencement of the employer employee relationship; Even before
the start of any employer-employee relationship, contemporaneous with the perfection
of the employment contract was the birth of certain rights and obligations, the breach of
which may give rise to a cause of action against the erring party.A distinction must be
made between the perfection of the employment contract and the commencement of
the employer-employee relationship. The perfection of the contract, which in this case
coincided with the date of execution thereof, occurred when petitioner and respondent
agreed on the object and the cause, as well as the rest of the terms and conditions
therein. The commencement of the employer employee relationship, as earlier
discussed, would have taken place had petitioner been actually deployed from the point
of hire. Thus, even before the start of any employer-employee relationship,
contemporaneous with the perfection of the employment contract was the birth of
certain rights and obligations, the breach of which may give rise to a cause of action
against the erring party. Thus, if the reverse had happened, that is the seafarer failed or
refused to be deployed as agreed upon, he would be liable for damages.
Same; Same; Seafarers; Neither the manning agent nor the employer can simply
prevent a seafarer from being deployed without a valid reason; Respondent unilaterally
and unreasonably reneged on its obligation to deploy petitioner and must therefore
answer for the actual damages he suffered.While the POEA Standard Contract must
be recognized and respected, neither the manning agent nor the employer can simply
prevent a seafarer from being deployed without a valid reason. Respondents act of
preventing petitioner from departing the port of Manila and boarding MSV Seaspread
constitutes a breach of contract, giving rise to petitioners cause of action. Respondent
unilaterally and unreasonably reneged on its obligation to deploy petitioner and must
therefore answer for the actual damages he suffered.

Same; Same; Same; The fact that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA) Rules are silent as to the payment of damages to the affected seafarer does
not mean that the seafarer is precluded from claiming the same.We take exception to
the Court of Appeals conclusion that damages are not recoverable by a worker who
was not deployed by his agency. The fact that the POEA Rules are silent as to the
payment of damages to the affected seafarer does not mean that the seafarer is
precluded from claiming the same. The sanctions provided for non-deployment do not
end with the suspension or cancellation of license or fine and the return of all
documents at no cost to the worker. They do not forfend a seafarer from instituting an
action for damages against the employer or agency which has failed to deploy him.

Same; Same; Despite the absence of an employer-employee relationship between

petitioner and respondent, the Court rules that the National Labor Relations
Commission (NLRC) has jurisdiction over petitioners complaint.Despite the absence
of an employer employee relationship between petitioner and respondent, the Court
rules that the NLRC has jurisdiction over petitioners complaint. The jurisdiction of labor
arbiters is not limited to claims arising from employer-employee relationships. Section
10 of R.A. No. 8042 (Migrant Workers Act), provides that: Sec.10.Money Claims.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Labor Arbiters of the National
Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction to
hear and decide, within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the complaint, the
claims arising out of an employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any law or
contract involving Filipino workers for overseas deployment including claims for actual,
moral, exemplary and other forms of damages. x x x [Emphasis supplied] Since the
present petition involves the employment contract entered into by petitioner for
overseas employment, his claims are cognizable by the labor arbiters of the NLRC.
Same; Same; Seafarers; Respondent liable to pay petitioner actual damages in the
form of the loss of nine (9) months worth of salary as provided in the contract, petitioner
is not entitled to overtime pay.Respondent is thus liable to pay petitioner actual
damages in the form of the loss of nine (9) months worth of salary as provided in the
contract. He is not, however, entitled to overtime pay. While the contract indicated a
fixed overtime pay, it is not a guarantee that he would receive said amount regardless of
whether or not he rendered overtime work. Even though petitioner was prevented
without valid reason from rendering regular much less overtime service, the fact
remains that there is no certainty that petitioner will perform overtime work had he been
allowed to board the vessel. The amount of US$286.00 stipulated in the contract will be
paid only if and when the employee rendered overtime work. This has been the tenor of
our rulings in the case of Stolt-Nielsen Marine Services (Phils.), Inc. v. National Labor
Relations Commission, 258 SCRA 643 (1996), where we discussed the matter in this
light: The contract provision means that the fixed overtime pay of 30% would be the
basis for computing the overtime pay if and when overtime work would be rendered.
Simply stated, the rendition of overtime. work and the submission of sufficient proof that
said work was actually performed are conditions to be satisfied before a seaman could
be entitled to overtime pay which should be computed on the basis of 30% of the basic
monthly salary. In short, the contract provision guarantees the right to overtime pay but
the entitlement to such benefit must first be established. Realistically speaking, a
seaman, by the very nature of his job, stays on board a ship or vessel beyond the
regular eight-hour work schedule. For the employer to give him overtime pay for the
extra hours when he might be sleeping or attending to his personal chores or even just
lulling away his time would be extremely unfair and unreasonable.

Same; Same; Attorneys Fees; Respondents failure to deploy petitioner is unfounded

and unreasonable, forcing petitioner to institute the suit below; Award of attorneys fees
is thus warranted.The Court also holds that petitioner is entitled to attorneys fees in
the concept of damages and expenses of litigation. Attorneys fees are recoverable
when the defendants act or omission has compelled the plaintiff to incur expenses to
protect his interest. We note that respondents basis for not deploying petitioner is the
belief that he will jump ship just like his brother, a mere suspicion that is based on
alleged phone calls of several persons whose identities were not even confirmed. Time
and again, this Court has upheld management prerogatives so long as they are
exercised in good faith for the advancement of the employers interest and not for the
purpose of defeating or circumventing the rights of the employees under special laws or
under valid agreements. Respondents failure to deploy petitioner is unfounded and
unreasonable, forcing petitioner to institute the suit below. The award of attorneys fees
is thus warranted.
Same; Same; Seafarers; Nature of Employment; Seafarers are considered contractual
employees and cannot be considered as regular employees under the Labor Code.
We likewise do not see respondents failure to deploy petitioner as an act designed to
prevent the latter from attaining the status of a regular employee. Even if petitioner was
able to depart the port of Manila, he still cannot be considered a regular employee,
regardless of his previous contracts of employment with respondent. In Millares v.
National Labor Relations Commission, 385 SCRA 306 (2002), the Court ruled that
seafarers are considered contractual employees and cannot be considered as regular
employees under the Labor Code. Their employment is governed by the contracts they
sign every time they are rehired and their employment is terminated when the contract
expires. The exigencies of their work necessitates that they be employed on a
contractual basis.

Ambraque International Placement & Services vs. NLRC, 157 SCRA 431, January
28, 1988
Labor; NLRC; Overseas Employment; Illegal Dismissal; Dismissal of worker that he
allegedly exhibited disagreeable conduct when he was abroad, is a sweeping statement
and without any elaboration by the employer; Absence of details surrounding the charge
of disagreeable conduct of the worker casts veracity on the charge.The allegation that
the private respondent exhibited disagreeable conduct when he was abroad thus paving
the way for his dismissal is a sweeping statement. The allegation is not even
accompanied by any elaboration on the matter. If the said allegation were true, then the
petitioner would have discussed in detail the circumstances surrounding such
disagreeable conduct in order to support its stand. The absence of such vital
information casts suspicion on the veracity of the allegation of the petitioner. As
observed by the Solicitor General, the telex messages relied upon by the petitioner do
not establish that the private respondent was dismissed from his employment for just
cause. Both telex messages are general statements. There is no record that the
principal gave additional information on the dismissal. At the most, the second telex
message implies that the previous employment experience of the private respondent in
Saudi Arabia causes problems to the principal.
Same; Same; Same; Same; Recruitment agency, jointly and solidarity liable with its
principal to the worker corresponding to the entire remuneration covered by the
employment contract.Finally, the petitioner recruitment agency should be jointly and
solidarity liable with its principal as far as this case is concerned. Pursuant to Section
10, Rule V of the Implementing Regulations of the Labor Code, a recruitment agency
can be sued solidarity with its principal.

Interorient Maritime Enterprises, Inc. vs. NLRC, 261 SCRA 757 , September 16,
1996
Actions; Certiorari; Pleadings and Practice; Petitioners act prematurely when they
immediately bring a petition for certiorari without having filed any motion for
reconsideration with the respondent agency.

Same; Same; Same; A petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court will lie
only in cases where a grave abuse of discretion or an act without or in excess of
jurisdiction is clearly shown to have been committed by the respondent Commission,
and the Supreme Courts jurisdiction to review decisions or resolutions of the
respondent NLRC does not include a correction of its evaluation of the evidence.But
even if the aforesaid procedural defect were to be overlooked, the instant petition
nevertheless suffers from serious substantive flaws. The petition assails the Resolution
of the respondent Commission as lacking factual and legal bases to support the same.
A petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court will lie only in cases where a
grave abuse of discretion or an act without or in excess of jurisdiction is clearly shown to
have been committed by the respondent Commission, and this Courts jurisdiction to
review decisions or resolutions of the respondent NLRC does not include a correction of
its evaluation of the evidence. Moreover, it is a fundamental rule that the factual findings
of quasi-judicial agencies like the respondent NLRC, if supported by substantial
evidence, are generally accorded not only great respect but even finality, and are
binding upon this Court, unless the petitioner is able to clearly demonstrate that
respondent Commission had arbitrarily disregarded evidence before it or had
misapprehended evidence to such an extent as to compel a contrary conclusion if such
evidence had been properly appreciated.
Labor Law; Overseas Contract Workers; Evidence; Pleadings and Practice; Claims of
overseas workers against their foreign employers should not be subjected to the rules
of evidence and procedure that courts usually apply to other complainants who have
more facility in obtaining the required evidence to prove their demands.First, a word
about the evidence supporting the findings of the POEA Administrator. We have held
that claims of overseas workers against their foreign employers should not be subjected
to the rules of evidence and procedure that courts usually apply to other complainants
who have more facility in obtaining the required evidence to prove their demands.
Section 5, Rule 133 of the Rules of Court provides that in cases filed before
administrative or quasi-judicial bodies (like the POEA), a fact may be deemed
established if it is supported by substantial evidence, i.e., that amount of evidence which
a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to justify a conclusion.

Same; Same; Insanity; The mental disorder of a Filipino overseas contract worker
became evident when he failed to join his connecting flight to Hongkong, having during
said stopover wandered out of the Bangkok airports immigration area on his own, there
being no sane and sufficient reason for him to want to while away his time in a foreign
land, when he is presumably unfamiliar with its native tongue, with nothing to do and no
source of income, and after having been absent from kith and kin, hearth and home for
almost an entire year.The circumstances prior to and surrounding his death, however,
provide substantial evidence of the existence of such mental defect or disorder. Such
mental disorder became evident when he failed to join his connecting flight to
Hongkong, having during said stopover wandered out of the Bangkok airports
immigration area on his own. We can perceive no sane and sufficient reason for a Pinoy
overseas contract worker or seaman to want to while away his time in a foreign land,
when he is presumably unfamiliar with its native tongue, with nothing to do and no
source of income, and after having been absent from kith and kin, hearth and home for
almost an entire year. Nor can we find any plausible reason for him to be wielding a
knife and scaring away passersby, and even taking a stab at an armed policeman,
unless he is no longer in full possession of his sanity. To our mind, these circumstances
are sufficient in themselves to produce a firm conviction that the deceased seaman in
this case was no longer in full control of his senses when he left his work. To reiterate, in
this case, no more than substantial evidence is required.

Same; Same; Same; Where an overseas contract worker attacked a Thai policeman
when he was no longer in complete control of his mental faculties, the provisions of the
Standard Format Contract of Employment exempting the employer from liability does
not apply.The POEA Administrator ruled, and this Court agrees, that since Pineda
attacked the Thai policeman when he was no longer in complete control of his mental
faculties, the aforequoted provision of the Standard Format Contract of Employment
exempting the employer from liability should not apply in the instant case. Firstly, the
fact that the deceased suffered from mental disorder at the time of his repatriation
means that he must have been deprived of the full use of his reason, and that thereby,
his will must have been impaired, at the very least. Thus, his attack on the policeman
can in no wise be characterized as a deliberate, willful or voluntary act on his part.

Same; Same; Same; The failure of a foreign employer to observe some precautionary
measures and in allowing an overseas worker with mental disorder to travel home alone
render it liable for the death of said worker.Secondly, and apart from that, we also
agree that in light of the deceaseds mental condition, petitioners should have observed
some precautionary measures and should not have allowed said seaman to travel home
alone, and their failure to do so rendered them liable for the death of Pineda. Indeed,
the obligations and liabilities of the (herein petitioners) do not end upon the expiration
of the contracted period as (petitioners are) duty bound to repatriate the seaman to the
point of hire to effectively terminate the contract of employment.

Same; Same; Even if the termination of the employment contract is duly effected in a
foreign country, still the responsibility of the foreign employer to see to it that the worker
is duly repatriated to the point of hiring subsists.Petitioners reliance on De Jesus is
misplaced, as the death and burial benefits being claimed in this case are not payable
by the Employees Compensation Commission and chargeable against the State
Insurance Fund. These claims arose from the responsibility of the foreign employer
together with the local agency for the safety of the employee during his repatriation and
until his arrival in this country, i.e., the point of hire. Though the termination of the
employment contract was duly effected in Dubai, still, the responsibility of the foreign
employer to see to it that Pineda was duly repatriated to the point of hiring subsisted.
Section 4, Rule VIII of the Rules and Regulations Governing Overseas Employment
clearly provides for the duration of the mandatory personal accident and life insurance
covering accidental death, dismemberment and disability of overseas workers: Section
4. Duration of Insurance Coverage.The minimum coverage shall take effect upon
payment of the premium and shall be extended worldwide, on and off the job, for the
duration of the workers contract plus sixty (60) calendar days after termination of the
contract of employment; provided that in no case shall the duration of the insurance
coverage be less than one year. (Italics supplied)

Same; Same; The foreign employer may not be obligated by its contract to provide a
companion for a returning employee but it cannot deny that it is expressly tasked by its
agreement to assure the safe return of said worker.The foreign employer may not
have been obligated by its contract to provide a companion for a returning employee,
but it cannot deny that it was expressly tasked by its agreement to assure the safe
return of said worker. The uncaring attitude displayed by petitioners who, knowing fully
well that its employee had been suffering from some mental disorder, nevertheless still
allowed him to travel home alone, is appalling to say the least. Such attitude harks back
to another time when the landed gentry practically owned the serfs, and disposed of
them when the latter had grown old, sick or otherwise lost their usefulness. [Interorient
Maritime Enterprises, Inc. vs. NLRC, 261 SCRA 757(1996)]
 De Jesus vs. National Labor Relations Commission, 530 SCRA 489 , August 17,
2007
Labor Law; Appeals; Judicial review by this Court does not extend to a re-evaluation of
the sufficiency of the evidence upon which the proper labor tribunal has based its
determinationfirm is the doctrine that this Court is not a trier of facts, and this applies
with greater force in labor cases.It is a settled rule that under Rule 45 of the Rules of
Court, only questions of law may be raised before this Court. Judicial review by this
Court does not extend to a re-evaluation of the sufficiency of the evidence upon which
the proper labor tribunal has based its determination. Firm is the doctrine that this Court
is not a trier of facts, and this applies with greater force in labor cases. However, factual
issues may be considered and resolved when the findings of facts and conclusions of
law of the Labor Arbiter are inconsistent with those of the NLRC and the Court of
Appeals, as in this case.
Same; Disease; The rule is that an ailment contracted by a worker even prior to his
employment, does not detract from the compensability of the disease.The evidence
shows that De Jesus previously suffered from ulcer but he ticked NO in his medical
history. De Jesus, therefore, committed misrepresentation. Nonetheless, he passed the
pre-employment medical examination, was reported fit to work, and was suffered to
work on board M/V Author for more than two (2) months, until his repatriation on June
19, 1997. The rule is that an ailment contracted even prior to his employment, does not
detract from the compensability of the disease. It is not required that the employment be
the sole factor in the growth, development or acceleration of the illness to entitle the
claimant to the benefits incident thereto. It is enough that the employment had
contributed, even in a small measure, to the development of the disease.
Same; Same; A workers misrepresentation cannot be made the basis by his employer
for the denial of his claims under the contract where he passed the required pre-
medical examination and was declared fit to work.In OSM Shipping Philippines, Inc. v.
Dela Cruz, 449 SCRA 525 (2005), this Court, in granting similar claims, held: Labor
contracts are impressed with public interest and the provisions of the POEA Standard
Employment Contract must be construed fairly, reasonably and liberally in favor of
Filipino seamen in the pursuit of their employment on board ocean-going vessels.
Despite his misrepresentation, Arbit underwent and passed the required pre-medical
examination, was declared fit to work, and was suffered to work by petitioner. Upon
repatriation, he complied with the required post-employment medical examination.
Under the beneficent provisions of the Contract, it is enough that the work has
contributed, even in a small degree, to the development of the disease and in bringing
about his death. Strict proof of causation is not required. De Jesus misrepresentation
cannot, therefore, be made basis by POMI for the denial of his claims under the
contract.

Same; Illegal Dismissals; Burden of Proof; Settled is the rule that in termination cases,
the burden of proof rests upon the employer to show that the dismissal is for a just and
valid cause.Settled is the rule that in termination cases, the burden of proof rests
upon the employer to show that the dismissal is for a just and valid cause. The case of
the employer must stand or fall on its own merits and not on the weakness of the
employees defense. In this case, no convincing proof was offered to prove POMIs
allegation. All that we have is its self-serving assertion that De Jesus violated his
employment contract. There is no proof that the prescribed disciplinary procedure was
followed. We, therefore, agree with the Labor Arbiters finding that POMI utterly failed to
establish its claim of valid dismissal. Accordingly, the NLRC and Court of Appeals erred
in reversing the said finding. [De Jesus vs. National Labor Relations Commission, 530
SCRA 489(2007)]

Seagull Shipmanagement and Transport, Inc. vs. NLRC, 333 SCRA 236 , June 08,
2000
Remedial Law; Certiorari; The filing of a motion for reconsideration is a condition sine
qua non to the institution of a special civil action for certiorari, subject to well-recognized
exceptions; Certiorari cannot be resorted to as a shield from the adverse consequences
of petitioners own omission to file the required motion for reconsideration.

Labor Law; Death Benefits; Under the contract, compensability of the illness or death of
seamen need not depend on whether the illness was work connected or not; It is
sufficient that the illness occurred during the term of the employment contract.It will
be noted that the claim for sickness and permanent disability benefits of the private
respondent arose from the stipulations on the standard format contract of employment
between him and petitioner Seagull per Circular No. 2, Series of 1984 of POEA. This
circular was intended for all parties involved in the employment of Filipino seamen on
board any ocean-going vessel. Significantly, under the contract, compensability of the
illness or death of seamen need not depend on whether the illness was work connected
or not. It is sufficient that the illness occurred during the term of the employment
contract. It will also be recalled that petitioners admitted that private respondents work
as a radio officer exposed him to different climates and unpredictable weather, which
could trigger a heart attack or heart failure.

Same; Same; It is not necessary, in order to recover compensation, that the employee
must have been in perfect health at the time he contracted the disease; If the disease is
the proximate cause of the employees death for which compensation is sought, the
previous physical condition of the employee is unimportant, and recovery may be had
for said death, independently of any pre-existing disease.Even assuming that the
ailment of the worker was contracted prior to his employment, this still would not deprive
him of compensation benefits. For what matters is that his work had contributed, even in
a small degree, to the development of the disease and in bringing about his eventual
death. Neither is it necessary, in order to recover compensation, that the employee must
have been in perfect health at the time he contracted the disease. A worker brings with
him possible infirmities in the course of his employment, and while the employer is not
the insurer of the health of the employees, he takes them as he finds them and
assumes the risk of liability. If the disease is the proximate cause of the employees
death for which compensation is sought, the previous physical condition of the
employee is unimportant, and recovery may be had for said death, independently of any
pre-existing disease. [Seagull Shipmanagement and Transport, Inc. vs. NLRC, 333
SCRA 236(2000)]
 Prudential Shipping and Management Corporation vs. Sta. Rita, 515 SCRA 157 ,
February 08, 2007
Labor Law; Seamen; The death of a seaman during the term of employment makes the
employer liable to his heirs for death compensation benefits, but if the seaman dies
after the termination of his contract of employment, his beneficiaries are not entitled to
the death benefits.The death of a seaman during the term of employment makes the
employer liable to his heirs for death compensation benefits. Once it is established that
the seaman died during the effectivity of his employment contract, the employer is
liable. However, if the seaman dies after the termination of his contract of employment,
his beneficiaries are not entitled to the death benefits enumerated above. [Prudential
Shipping and Management Corporation vs. Sta. Rita, 515 SCRA 157(2007)]

People vs. Turda, 233 SCRA 702, July 06, 1994

Labor Law; Illegal Recruitment; Words and Phrases; Recruitment, defined.Article 13,
par. (b), of the same Code defines recruitment as any act of canvassing, enlisting,
contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring or procuring workers, and includes referrals,
contract services, promising or advertising for employment, locally or abroad, whether
for profit or not; provided, that any person or entity which, in any manner, offers or
promises for a fee employment to two or more persons shall be deemed engaged in
recruitment and placement.
Same; Same; Conspiracy; The appellant, his wife, and Manera were conspirators in the
illegal recruitment business by contributing acts in pursuance of the financial success of
their joint venture for their mutual benefit.A review of the testimonies of complainants
leads us to no other conclusion than that appellant, his wife, and Manera were
conspirators in the illegal recruitment business by contributing acts in pursuance of the
financial success of their joint venture for their mutual benefit. All the complainants have
testified that in every recruitment transaction, appellant was always present with the
other accused. With respect to the recruitment of Rosales and Shirley Cabalu, both
testified that the three (3) accused went to their house to induce them to apply for
overseas work for a fee, and that appellant was likewise around when the amount of
P70,000.00 was quoted by the other accused as the recruitment service fee. For her
part, complainant Celina Andan categorically testified that appellant and his wife were
together when the latter was paid the downpayment in check for her trip to Canada.
Celina further asserted that the Turdas were always together in their recruitment
transactions; in fact, all the complainants confirmed that appellant even drove them to
the airport for the supposed trip abroad not only once but thrice.
Same; Same; Evidence; A self-serving negative evidence cannot prevail over positive
identification.Appellants explanation that his reason for driving the complainants to
the airport was because he himself was also scheduled to leave for abroad, is weak and
uncorroborated. It is a self-serving negative evidence which cannot prevail over his
positive identification by the complaining witnesses as one of those who actively
participated in recruiting them. Besides, how could he be driving his Volkswagen to the
airport if he himself was leaving for abroad, unless he was ready to abandon his car
after taking off?
Same; Same; Same; Witnesses; The findings of the trial court on the credibility of
witnesses are entitled to the highest degree of respect and will not be disturbed on
appeal in the absence of any showing that said court overlooked, misunderstood, or
misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight and substance.The findings of the
trial court on the credibility of witnesses are entitled to the highest degree of respect and
will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of any showing that said court
overlooked, misunderstood or misapplied some facts or circumstances of weight and
substance which do not obtain in the present case. There is no doubt that the acts of
appellant and his wife conclusively established a common criminal design mutually
deliberated upon and accomplished through coordinated moves. Such acts constitute
enlisting, contracting or procuring workers or promising them overseas employment
under Art. 13, par. (b), of the Labor Code. Since appellant did not have the license or
authority to recruit and yet recruited at least three (3) persons, he is guilty of large-scale
illegal recruitment under Art. 38, penalized under Art. 39, of the Labor Code.
Same; Same; Constitutional Law; Bill of Rights; Ex Post Facto Laws; P.D. 2018, which
increased the penalty for illegal recruitment constitutive of economic sabotage, to life
imprisonment, took effect on 28 July 1986.We are not persuaded by appellants
argument that the trial court erred in imposing upon him the penalty of life imprisonment
because this was imposed by a new law not in force when the offense was allegedly
committed. P.D. No. 2018 has increased the penalty to life imprisonment if the illegal
recruitment constitutes economic sabotage. As defined in Art. 38, as amended, illegal
recruitment constitutes economic sabotage if undertaken by a group of three (3) or more
persons conspiring and/or confederating with one another in carrying out any unlawful
or illegal transaction, enterprise or scheme defined under the first paragraph of Art. 38.
As correctly pointed out by the Solicitor General, Sec. 2 of P.D. No. 2018, promulgated
on 26 January 1986, has provided for its immediate effectivity. It was published on 10
February 1986 in Vol. 82, No. 6, Page 922, of the Official Gazette. Hence, when
appellant committed the acts of illegal recruitment from August 1986 to September
1987, the amendments to the law, which took effect on 28 July 1986, were already in
force and effect.

Same; Same; Same; Same; Double Jeopardy; Where some other crimes or felonies are
committed in the process of illegal recruitment, conviction under the Labor Code does
not preclude punishment under other statutes.The rule is settled that the recruitment
of persons for overseas employment without the necessary recruiting permit or authority
from the POEA constitutes illegal recruitment; however, where some other crimes or
felonies are committed in the process, conviction under the Labor Code does not
preclude punishment under other statutes.

Same; Same; Same; Same; Same; Estafa; Not all acts which constitute estafa
necessarily establish illegal recruitment, for estafa is wider in scope and covers deceits
whether or not related to recruitment activities.Applying the foregoing principle, not all
acts which constitute estafa necessarily establish illegal recruitment, for estafa is wider
in scope and covers deceits whether or not related to recruitment activities. More
importantly, the element of damage, which is essential in estafa cases, is immaterial in
illegal recruitment; and, while estafa is malum in se, illegal recruitment is malum
prohibitum. [People vs. Turda, 233 SCRA 702(1994)]
 Prieto vs. National Labor Relations Commission, 226 SCRA 232 , September 10,
1993
Labor Law; Appeal; Factual findings of administrative bodies are as a rule binding on
the Court unless they come under the established exceptions.The factual findings of
administrative bodies are as a rule binding on this Court, but this is true only when they
do not come under the established exceptions. One of these is where the findings of the
POEA and the NLRC are contrary to each other, as in this case, and there is a necessity
to determine which of them should be preferred as more conformable to the established
facts.
Same; The claims of our overseas workers should be received with sympathy and
allowed if warranted conformably to the constitutional mandate for the protection of the
working class.The private respondents point to the petitioners allegation in their
complaint that they were mere assistant cooks and argue that this belies their
representation that they did not apply for these positions. The argument has no merit.
The petitioners were not assisted by lawyers when they filed their complaint and must
have had in mind the positions stipulated in the second contract. In the amended
complaint, this statement was rectified. At any rate, the slight error must not be taken
against the petitioners. As we held in Cuadra v. NLRC, our overseas workers are
mostly ordinary laborers not conversant with legal principles and with the manner they
can assert and protect rights. They have no compatriot lawyers to consult and no labor
unions to support them in the foreign land. x x x The claims of our overseas workers
should therefore be received with sympathy and allowed, if warranted, conformably to
the constitutional mandate for the protection of the working class.
Same; Same; Where the employer-employee relationship has been established, the
burden of proof in termination cases lies with the employer.Where the employer-
employee relationship has been established, the burden of proof in termination cases
lies with the employer. This burden was not discharged by the private respondents.

Same; Labor Code; A private employment agency can be sued jointly and severally with
the principal or foreign-based employer for any violation of the recruitment agreement
or the contract of employment.Rule V, Book I of the Omnibus Rules Implementing the
Labor Code defines the duties and obligations of a duly licensed placement and
recruitment agency. Section 2(e) requires a private employment agency to assume all
responsibilities for the implementation of the contract of employment of an overseas
worker. Section 10(a)(2) provides that a private employment agency can be sued jointly
and severally with the principal or foreign-based employer for any violation of the
recruitment agreement or the contract of employment.
Same; Same; Same; Book II, Rule II, Section 1(f) (3) of the New Rules and Regulations
Governing Overseas Employment, promulgated by the Governing Board of the POEA
substantially reiterates Rule II of Book II, Section 1(d) (3) of 1985 POEA Rules.Book
II, Rule II, Section I(f) (3) of the new Rules and Regulations Governing Overseas
Employment promulgated by the Governing Board of the POEA substantially reiterates
Rule II of Book II, Section 1(d) (3) of 1985 POEA Rules, which governs this case. It
provides that a private employment agency shall assume joint and solidary liability with
the employer for all claims and liabilities that may arise in connection with the
implementation of the contracts including but not limited to payment of wages, health
and disability compensation and repatriation. There is no doubt that, under the facts
established in this case, AR and Sons is jointly and solidarily liable with overseas
employer SAM for the claims of the petitioners.

JMM Promotion and Management, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, 260 SCRA 319 ,
August 05, 1996
Same; Same; Police power concerns government enactments which precisely interfere
with personal liberty or property in order to promote the general welfare or the common
good.Thus, police power concerns government enactments which precisely interfere
with personal liberty or property in order to promote the general welfare or the common
good. As the assailed Department Order enjoys a presumed validity, it follows that the
burden rests upon petitioners to demonstrate that the said order, particularly, its ARB
requirement, does not enhance the public welfare or was exercised arbitrarily or
unreasonably.
Same; Same; The Artist Record Book requirement and the questioned Department
Order related to its issuance were issued by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to a valid
exercise of the police power.A thorough review of the facts and circumstances leading
to the issuance of the assailed orders compels us to rule that the Artist Record Book
requirement and the questioned Department Order related to its issuance were issued
by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to a valid exercise of the police power.
Same; Same; The welfare of Filipino performing artists, particularly the women was
paramount in the issuance of Department Order No. 3.Clearly, the welfare of Filipino
performing artists, particularly the women was paramount in the issuance of Department
Order No. 3. Short of a total and absolute ban against the deployment of performing
artists to high-risk destinations, a measure which would only drive recruitment further
underground, the new scheme at the very least rationalizes the method of screening
performing artists by requiring reasonable educational and artistic skills from them and
limits deployment to only those individuals adequately prepared for the unpredictable
demands of employment as artists abroad. It cannot be gainsaid that this scheme at
least lessens the room for exploitation by unscrupulous individuals and agencies.

Same; Same; Apart from the States police power, the Constitution itself mandates
government to extend the fullest protection to our overseas workers.In any event,
apart from the States police power, the Constitution itself mandates government to
extend the fullest protection to our overseas workers. The basic constitutional statement
on labor, embodied in Section 18 of Article II of the Constitution provides: Sec. 18. The
State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare. More emphatically, the social justice provision on
labor of the 1987 Constitution in its first paragraph states: The State shall afford full
protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized and promote full
employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.

Same; Same; Protection to labor does not indicate promotion of employment alone.
Obviously, protection to labor does not indicate promotion of employment alone. Under
the welfare and social justice provisions of the Constitution, the promotion of full
employment, while desirable, cannot take a backseat to the governments constitutional
duty to provide mechanisms for the protection of our workforce, local or overseas.

Same; Same; A profession, trade or calling is a property right within the meaning of our
constitutional guarantees.A profession, trade or calling is a property right within the
meaning of our constitutional guarantees. One cannot be deprived of the right to work
and the right to make a living because these rights are property rights, the arbitrary and
unwarranted deprivation of which normally constitutes an actionable wrong.

Same; Same; No right is absolute, and the proper regulation of a profession, calling,
business or trade has always been upheld as a legitimate subject of a valid exercise of
the police power by the state. Nevertheless, no right is absolute, and the proper
regulation of a profession, calling, business or trade has always been upheld as a
legitimate subject of a valid exercise of the police power by the state particularly when
their conduct affects either the execution of legitimate governmental functions, the
preservation of the State, the public health and welfare and public morals. According to
the maxim, sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas, it must of course be within the
legitimate range of legislative action to define the mode and manner in which every one
may so use his own property so as not to pose injury to himself or others.

Same; Same; So long as professionals and other workers meet reasonable regulatory
standards no such deprivation exists.Locally, the Professional Regulation
Commission has begun to require previously licensed doctors and other professionals
to furnish documentary proof that they had either re-trained or had undertaken
continuing education courses as a requirement for renewal of their licenses. It is not
claimed that these requirements pose an unwarranted deprivation of a property right
under the due process clause. So long as professionals and other workers meet
reasonable regulatory standards no such deprivation exists.

Same; Same; The equal protection clause of the Constitution does not forbid
classification for so long as such classification is based on real and substantial
differences having a reasonable relation to the subject of the particular legislation.The
equal protection clause is directed principally against undue favor and individual or
class privilege. It is not intended to prohibit legislation which is limited to the object to
which it is directed or by the territory in which it is to operate. It does not require
absolute equality, but merely that all persons be treated alike under like conditions both
as to privileges conferred and liabilities imposed. We have held, time and again, that the
equal protection clause of the Constitution does not forbid classification for so long as
such classification is based on real and substantial differences having a reasonable
relation to the subject of the particular legislation. If classification is germane to the
purpose of the law, concerns all members of the class, and applies equally to present
and future conditions, the classification does not violate the equal protection guarantee.
[JMM Promotion and Management, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, 260 SCRA 319(1996)]

Cadalin vs. POEA's Administrator, 238 SCRA 721 , December 05, 1994
Conflict of Laws; As a general rule, a foreign procedural law will not be applied in the
forum.

Same; Same; Actions; Words and Phrases; Borrowing Statute, Explained; One form of
borrowing statutes provides that an action barred by the laws of the place where it
accrued, will not be enforced in the forum even though the local statute has not run
against it.However, the characterization of a statute into a procedural or substantive
law becomes irrelevant when the country of the forum has a borrowing statute. Said
statute has the practical effect of treating the foreign statute of limitation as one of
substance (Goodrich, Conflict of Laws 152-153 [1938]). A borrowing statute directs the
state of the forum to apply the foreign statute of limitations to the pending claims based
on a foreign law (Siegel, Conflicts 183 [1975]). While there are several kinds of
borrowing statutes, one form provides that an action barred by the laws of the place
where it accrued, will not be enforced in the forum even though the local statute has not
run against it (Goodrich and Scoles, Conflict of Laws, 152-153 [1938]). Section 48 of our
Code of Civil Procedure is of this kind. Said Section provides: If by the laws of the state
or country where the cause of action arose, the action is barred, it is also barred in the
Philippine Islands.
Same; Same; Same; Section 48 of the Code of Civil Procedure has not been repealed
or amended by the Civil Code.Section 48 has not been repealed or amended by the
Civil Code of the Philippines. Article 2270 of said Code repealed only those provisions
of the Code of Civil Procedure as to which were inconsistent with it. There is no
provision in the Civil Code of the Philippines, which is inconsistent with or contradictory
to Section 48 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Paras, Philippine Conflict of Laws, 104
[7th ed.]).
Same; Same; Labor Law; The courts of the forum will not enforce any foreign claim
obnoxious to the forums public policy.In the light of the 1987 Constitution, however,
Section 48 cannot be enforced ex proprio vigore insofar as it ordains the application in
this jurisdiction of Section 156 of the Amiri Decree No. 23 of 1976. The courts of the
forum will not enforce any foreign claim obnoxious to the forums public policy
(Canadian Northern Railway Co. v. Eggen, 252 U.S. 553, 40 S. Ct. 402, 64 L. ed. 713
[1920]). To enforce the one-year prescriptive period of the Amiri Decree No. 23 of 1976
as regards the claims in question would contravene the public policy on the protection to
labor.
Labor Law; Overseas Contract Workers; Prescription; Article 291 of the Labor Code
applies to money claims arising from employer-employee relations, including those
arising from application of foreign laws providing for greater employee benefits.
Section 7-a of the Eight-Hour Labor Law provides the prescriptive period for filing
actions to enforce any cause of action under said law. On the other hand, Article 291
of the Labor Code of the Philippines provides the prescriptive period for filing money
claims arising from employer-employee relations. The claims in the cases at bench all
arose from the employer employee relations, which is broader in scope than claims
arising from a specific law or from the collective bargaining agreement. The contention
of the POEA Administrator, that the three-year prescriptive period under Article 291 of
the Labor Code of the Philippines applies only to money claims specifically recoverable
under said Code, does not find support in the plain language of the provision. Neither is
the contention of the claimants in G.R. No. 104911-14 that said Article refers only to
claims arising from the employers violation of the employees right, as provided by the
Labor Code supported by the facial reading of the provision.

Same; Same; Right to Speedy Disposition of Cases; Speedy disposition of cases is a

relative term, a flexible concept consistent with delays and depends upon the
circumstances of each case.It is true that the constitutional right to a speedy
disposition of cases is not limited to the accused in criminal proceedings but extends to
all parties in all cases, including civil and administrative cases, and in all proceedings,
including judicial and quasi-judicial hearings. Hence, under the Constitution, any party to
a case may demand expeditious action on all officials who are tasked with the
administration of justice. However, as held in Caballero v. Alfonso, Jr., 153 SCRA 153
(1987), speedy disposition of cases is a relative term. Just like the constitutional
guarantee of speedy trial accorded to the accused in all criminal proceedings, speedy
disposition of cases is a flexible concept. It is consistent with delays and depends upon
the circumstances of each case. What the Constitution prohibits are unreasonable,
arbitrary and oppressive delays which render rights nugatory.
Same; Same; Same; Even if the cases took seven years to be disposed of in the
administrative level there is no violation of the constitutional right to speedy disposition
of cases where the cases are not of the run-of-the-mill variety, involve a total of 1,767
claimants hired on various dates, with claims totalling more than US$65 million.The
cases at bench are not of the run-of-the-mill variety, such that their final disposition in
the administrative level after seven years from their inception, cannot be said to be
attended by unreasonable, arbitrary and oppressive delays as to violate the
constitutional rights to a speedy disposition of the cases of complainants. The amended
complaint filed on June 6, 1984 involved a total of 1,767 claimants. Said complaint had
undergone several amendments, the first being on April 3, 1985. The claimants were
hired on various dates from 1975 to 1983. They were deployed in different areas, one
group in and the other groups outside of, Bahrain. The monetary claims totalled more
than US$65 million.

Same; Same; Labor Law; The courts of the forum will not enforce any foreign claim
obnoxious to the forums public policy.In the light of the 1987 Constitution, however,
Section 48 cannot be enforced ex proprio vigore insofar as it ordains the application in
this jurisdiction of Section 156 of the Amiri Decree No. 23 of 1976. The courts of the
forum will not enforce any foreign claim obnoxious to the forums public policy
(Canadian Northern Railway Co. v. Eggen, 252 U.S. 553, 40 S. Ct. 402, 64 L. ed. 713
[1920]). To enforce the one-year prescriptive period of the Amiri Decree No. 23 of 1976
as regards the claims in question would contravene the public policy on the protection to
labor.

Labor Law; Overseas Contract Workers; Prescription; Article 291 of the Labor Code
applies to money claims arising from employer-employee relations, including those
arising from application of foreign laws providing for greater employee benefits.
Section 7-a of the Eight-Hour Labor Law provides the prescriptive period for filing
actions to enforce any cause of action under said law. On the other hand, Article 291
of the Labor Code of the Philippines provides the prescriptive period for filing money
claims arising from employer-employee relations. The claims in the cases at bench all
arose from the employer- employee relations, which is broader in scope than claims
arising from a specific law or from the collective bargaining agreement. The contention
of the POEA Administrator, that the three-year prescriptive period under Article 291 of
the Labor Code of the Philippines applies only to money claims specifically recoverable
under said Code, does not find support in the plain language of the provision. Neither is
the contention of the claimants in G.R. No. 104911-14 that said Article refers only to
claims arising from the employers violation of the employees right, as provided by the
Labor Code supported by the facial reading of the provision.

Nitto Enterprises vs. National Labor Relations Commission, 248 SCRA 654 ,
September 29, 1995
Labor Law; Apprenticeship Agreements; Prior approval by the Department of Labor and
Employment of the proposed apprenticeship program is a condition sine qua non before
an apprenticeship agreement can be validly entered into.In the case at bench, the
apprenticeship agreement between petitioner and private respondent was executed on
May 28, 1990 allegedly employing the latter as an apprentice in the trade of care
maker/molder. On the same date, an apprenticeship program was prepared by
petitioner and submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment. However, the
apprenticeship Agreement was filed only on June 7, 1990. Notwithstanding the absence
of approval by the Department of Labor and Employment, the apprenticeship agreement
was enforced the day it was signed. Based on the evidence before us, petitioner did not
comply with the requirements of the law. It is mandated that apprenticeship agreements
entered into by the employer and apprentice shall be entered only in accordance with
the apprenticeship program duly approved by the Minister of Labor and Employment.
Prior approval by the Department of Labor and Employment of the proposed
apprenticeship program is, therefore, a condition sine qua non before an apprenticeship
agreement can be validly entered into.

Same; Same; Where the apprenticeship agreement has no force and effect, the worker
hired as apprentice should be considered as a regular employee.Hence, since the
apprenticeship agreement between petitioner and private respondent has no force and
effect in the absence of a valid apprenticeship program duly approved by the DOLE,
private respondents assertion that he was hired not as an apprentice but as a delivery
boy (kargador or pahinante) deserves credence. He should rightly be considered as
a regular employee of petitioner as defined by Article 280 of the Labor Code.

Same; Dismissals; Due Process; The twin requirements of due process, substantive
and procedural, must be complied with before valid dismissal exists, otherwise the
dismissal becomes void.There is an abundance of cases wherein the Court ruled that
the twin requirements of due process, substantive and procedural, must be complied
with, before valid dismissal exists. Without which, the dismissal becomes void. The twin
requirements of notice and hearing constitute the essential elements of due process.
This simply means that the employer shall afford the worker ample opportunity to be
heard and to defend himself with the assistance of his representative, if he so desires.
Ample opportunity connotes every kind of assistance that management must accord the
employee to enable him to prepare adequately for his defense including legal
representation. [Nitto Enterprises vs. National Labor Relations Commission, 248 SCRA
654(1995)].