Title
Arriola vs. Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.
Case
G.R. No. 175689
Decision Date
Aug 13, 2014
A journalist claimed illegal dismissal after his column was removed; courts ruled he abandoned his job, and his claims, though timely, lacked merit.
Long read (23 min)
1.8x of typical case length

741 PHIL. 171

THIRD DIVISION

[ G.R. No. 175689, August 13, 2014 ]

GEORGE A. ARRIOLA, PETITIONER, VS. PILIPINO STAR NGAYON, INC. AND/OR MIGUEL G. BELMONTE, RESPONDENTS.

D E C I S I O N

LEONEN, J.:

The prescriptive period for filing an illegal dismissal complaint is four years from the time the cause of action accrued. This four-year prescriptive period, not the three-year period for filing money claims under Article 291 of the Labor Code, applies to claims for backwages and damages due to illegal dismissal.

This is a petition for review on certiorari of the Court of Appealsa decision1 and resolution2 in CA-G.R. SP No. 91256, affirming the decision of the National Labor Relations Commission. The Commission affirmed the Labor Arbiteras findings that there was no illegal dismissal in this case and that petitioner George A. Arriola abandoned his employment with respondent Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.

In July 1986, Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. employed George A. Arriola as correspondent assigned in Olongapo City and Zambales. Arriola had held various positions in Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. before becoming a section editor and writer of its newspaper. He wrote aTinig ng Pamilyang OFWsa until his column was removed from publication on November 15, 1999. Since then, Arriola never returned for work.3

On November 15, 2002, Arriola filed a complaint4 for illegal dismissal, non-payment of salaries/wages, moral and exemplary damages, actual damages, attorney's fees, and full backwages with the National Labor Relations Commission. In his position paper,5 Arriola alleged that Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. aarbitrarily dismisseda6 him on November 15, 1999. Arguing that he was a regular employee, Arriola contended that his rights to security of tenure and due process were violated when Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. illegally dismissed him.7

Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. and Miguel G. Belmonte denied Arriolaas allegations. In their position paper,8 they alleged that around the third week of November 1999, Arriola suddenly absented himself from work and never returned despite Belmonteas phone calls and beeper messages. After a few months, they learned that Arriola transferred to a rival newspaper publisher, Imbestigador, to write aBoses ng Pamilyang OFWs.a9

In his reply,10 Arriola denied that he abandoned his employment. He maintained that Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. ordered him to stop reporting for work and to claim his separation pay. To prove his allegation, Arriola presented a statement of account11 allegedly faxed to him by Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.as accounting head. This statement of account showed a computation of his separation pay as of November 30, 1999.

Labor Arbiter Fatima Jambaro-Franco decided the case. At the outset, she ruled that laches had set in, emphasizing that Arriola took three years and one day to file his complaint. According to the Labor Arbiter, this was acontrary to the immediate and natural reaction of an aggrieved person.a12 If Arriola were indeed aggrieved, he would not have waited three years and one day to sue Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.13

The Labor Arbiter found that Arriola abandoned his employment with Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. to write for a rival newspaper publisher.14 She also noted Arriolaas admission that he did not contemplate the filing of an illegal dismissal complaint but nevertheless filed one upon his lawyeras advice.15

On Arriolaas money claims, the Labor Arbiter ruled that they have already prescribed.16 She cited Article 291 of the Labor Code, which requires that all money claims arising from employer-employee relations be filed three years from the time the cause of action accrued. Since Arriola filed his complaint on November 15, 2002, which was three years and one day from his alleged illegal dismissal on November 15, 1999,17 the Labor Arbiter ruled that his money claims were already barred.

Thus, in the decision18 dated July 16, 2003, the Labor Arbiter dismissed Arriola's complaint for lack of merit.

On Arriolaas appeal, the National Labor Relations Commission sustained the Labor Arbiteras findings and affirmed in toto the decision dated July 16, 2003.19 The Commission likewise denied Arriolaas motion for reconsideration20 for lack of merit.21

Arriola filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals.22

The Court of Appeals noted that the petition for certiorari questioned whether Arriola was illegally dismissed. According to the appellate court, Arriola raised a factual issue abeyond the province of certiorari to resolve.a23 It added that the Labor Arbiteras factual findings, if affirmed by the National Labor Relations Commission, bound the appellate court.24

Nevertheless, the Court of Appeals resolved the factual issue ain the interest of substantial justice.a25

The Court of Appeals ruled that Arriola was not illegally dismissed. Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. had the management prerogative to determine which columns to maintain in its newspaper. Its removal of aTinig ng Pamilyang OFWsa from publication did not mean that it illegally dismissed Arriola. His employment, according to the appellate court, did not depend on the existence of the column.26

The appellate court enumerated the following factual findings belying Arriolaas claim of illegal dismissal:

a)
In his complaint, Arriola alleged that he did not receive his salary for the period covering November 1, 1999 to November 30, 1999. This implied that he had worked for the whole month of November 1999. However, this was contrary to his claim that Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. dismissed him on November 15, 1999.
b)
Sometime in 1999, an Aurea Reyes charged Arriola with libel. Pilipino Star Ngayon Inc.as counsel represented Arriola in that case and filed a counter-affidavit on November 24, 1999, nine days after Arriolaas alleged illegal dismissal.
c)
Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. never sent Arriola any notice of dismissal or termination.27

Similar to the ruling of the Labor Arbiter and the National Labor Relations Commission, the Court of Appeals ruled that it was Arriola who abandoned his employment.28 The Court of Appeals likewise ruled that his money claims have all prescribed based on Article 291 of the Labor Code.29

Thus, in the decision30 dated August 9, 2006, the Court of Appeals found no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the National Labor Relations Commission and dismissed Arriola's petition for certiorari.

Arriola moved for reconsideration,31 but the Court of Appeals denied the motion in its resolution32 dated November 24, 2006.

In his petition for review on certiorari,33 Arriola maintains that he did not abandon his employment. He insists that Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. illegally dismissed him when it removed his column, aTinig ng Pamilyang OFWs,a from publication.34

On the finding that he abandoned his work in Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. to write aBoses ng Pamilyang OFWsa in Imbestigador, Arriola presents a certification35 from Imbestigadoras Managing Editor, Almar B. Danguilan, stating that Arriola started writing for Imbestigador only on February 17, 2003. This was after he had filed his complaint for illegal dismissal on November 15, 2002.

As to the finding that his money claims have prescribed, Arriola argues that the three-year prescriptive period under Article 291 of the Labor Code should be counted from December 1, 1999, not November 15, 1999. According to Arriola, Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. computed his separation pay up to November 30, 1999, as evidenced by the faxed statement of account. Consequently, he was deprived of his salary as a regular employee beginning December 1, 1999. His cause of action for payment of backwages and damages accrued only on December 1, 1999.36

Arriola argues that assuming that his cause of action accrued on November 15, 1999, he pleads that his one-day-late filing of the complaint be excused.

This court ordered Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. and Belmonte to comment on Arriolaas petition for review on certiorari.37

In their comment,38 respondents argue that this court should not entertain Arriolaas petition for review on certiorari. Arriola raised questions of fact not allowed in a Rule 45 petition. They highlight that the Labor Arbiter, the National Labor Relations Commission, and the Court of Appeals all found that Arriola was not illegally dismissed and that he abandoned his employment. These factual findings, respondents argue, bind this court.39

Respondents maintain that Arriola was not illegally dismissed. On the contrary, it was Arriola who abandoned his employment in Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. According to respondents, they amust not be faulted if they presumed that [Arriola] was no longer interested in [writing for Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.]a40 considering that he did not report for work for more than three years.

On Arriolaas money claims, respondents argue that these have all prescribed. According to respondents, Arriolaas one-day late filing of the complaint cannot be excused because prescription is a matter of substantive law, not technicality.41

Arriola replied to respondentsa comment, reiterating his arguments in his petition for review on certiorari.42

The issues for our resolution are the following:

I. Whether Arriolaas money claims have prescribed

II. Whether Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. illegally dismissed Arriola
The petition lacks merit.

I


Arriolaas claims for backwages and
damages have not yet prescribed when
he filed his complaint with the National
Labor Relations Commission

The Labor Arbiter, the National Labor Relations Commission, and the Court of Appeals all ruled that Arriolaas claims for unpaid salaries, backwages, damages, and attorneyas fees have prescribed. They cited Article 291 of the Labor Code, which requires that money claims arising from employer-employee relations be filed within three years from the time the cause of action accrued:

Art. 291. MONEY CLAIMS. All money claims arising from employer-employee relations accruing during the effectivity of this Code shall be filed within three (3) years from the time the cause of action accrued; otherwise they shall be forever barred.
Article 291 covers claims for overtime pay,43 holiday pay,44 service incentive leave pay,45 bonuses,46 salary differentials,47 and illegal deductions by an employer.48 It also covers money claims arising from seafarer contracts.49

The provision, however, does not cover amoney claimsa consequent to an illegal dismissal such as backwages. It also does not cover claims for damages due to illegal dismissal. These claims are governed by Article 1146 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, which provides:

Art. 1146. The following actions must be instituted within four years:

(1) Upon injury to the rights of the plaintiff[.]
In Callanta v. Carnation Philippines, Inc.,50 Virgilio Callanta worked as a salesperson for Carnation Philippines, Inc. beginning in January 1974. On June 1, 1979, Carnation filed with the Regional Office No. X of the then Ministry of Labor and Employment an application for issuance of clearance to terminate Callanta. The application was granted, and Callantaas employment was declared terminated effective June 1, 1979.51

On July 5, 1982, Callanta filed a complaint for illegal dismissal with claims for backwages and damages. In its defense, Carnation argued that Callantaas complaint was barred by prescription.52

Carnation stressed that Callanta filed his complaint three years, one month, and five days after his termination. Since illegal dismissal is a violation of the Labor Code, Carnation argued that Callantaas complaint was barred by Article 290 of the Labor Code. 53 Under Article 290, offenses penalized under the Code shall prescribe in three years.54

As to Callantaas claims for backwages and damages, Carnation contended that these claims arose from employer-employee relations. Since Callanta filed his complaint beyond the three-year period under Article 291 of the Labor Code, his claims for backwages and damages were forever barred.55

This court ruled that Callantaas complaint for illegal dismissal had not yet prescribed. Although illegal dismissal is a violation of the Labor Code, it is not the aoffensea contemplated in Article 290.56 Article 290 refers to illegal acts penalized under the Labor Code, including committing any of the prohibited activities during strikes or lockouts, unfair labor practices, and illegal recruitment activities.57 The three-year prescriptive period under Article 290, therefore, does not apply to complaints for illegal dismissal.

Instead, aby way of supplement,a58 Article 1146 of the Civil Code of the Philippines governs complaints for illegal dismissal. Under Article 1146, an action based upon an injury to the rights of a plaintiff must be filed within four years. This court explained:

. . . when one is arbitrarily and unjustly deprived of his job or means of livelihood, the action instituted to contest the legality of one's dismissal from employment constitutes, in essence, an action predicated aupon an injury to the rights of the plaintiff,a as contemplated under Art. 1146 of the New Civil Code, which must be brought within four 4 years.59
This four-year prescriptive period applies to claims for backwages, not the three-year prescriptive period under Article 291 of the Labor Code. A claim for backwages, according to this court, may be a money claim aby reason of its practical effect.a60 Legally, however, an award of backwages ais merely one of the reliefs which an illegally dismissed employee prays the labor arbiter and the NLRC to render in his favor as a consequence of the unlawful act committed by the employer.a61 Though it results ain the enrichment of the individual [illegally dismissed], the award of backwages is not in redress of a private right, but, rather, is in the nature of a command upon the employer to make public reparation for his violation of the Labor Code.a62

Actions for damages due to illegal dismissal are likewise actions aupon an injury to the rights of the plaintiff.a Article 1146 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, therefore, governs these actions.63

Callanta filed his complaint for illegal dismissal with claims for backwages and damages three years, one month, and five days from his termination. Thus, this court ruled that Callanta filed his claims for backwages and damages well within the four-year prescriptive period.64

This court applied the Callanta ruling in Texon Manufacturing v. Millena.65 In Texon, Marilyn and Grace Millena commenced work for Texon Manufacturing in 1990 until Texon terminated their employment. Texon first dismissed Grace on May 31, 1994 then dismissed Marilyn on September 8, 1995.66

On August 21, 1995, Grace filed a complaint for money claims representing underpayment and non-payment of wages, overtime pay, and holiday pay with the National Labor Relations Commission. Marilyn filed her own complaint for illegal dismissal with prayer for payment of full backwages and benefits on September 11, 1995.67

Texon filed a motion to dismiss both complaints on the ground of prescription.68 It argued that Grace and Marilynas causes of action accrued from the time they began working in Texon. Their complaints, therefore, were filed beyond the three-year prescriptive period under Article 291 of the Labor Code.69

This court ruled that both complaints had not yet prescribed. With respect to Graceas complaint for overtime pay and holiday pay, this court ruled that the three-year prescriptive period under Article 291 of the Labor Code applied. Since Grace filed her claim one year, one month, and 21 days from her dismissal, her claims were filed within the three-year prescriptive period.70

With respect to Marilynas complaint for illegal dismissal with claims for backwages, this court while citing Callanta as legal basis ruled that the four-year prescriptive period under Article 1146 of the Civil Code of the Philippines applied. Since Marilyn filed her complaint three days from her dismissal, she filed her complaint well within the four-year prescriptive period.71

Applying these principles in this case, we agree that Arriolaas claims for unpaid salaries have prescribed. Arriola filed his complaint three years and one day from the time he was allegedly dismissed and deprived of his salaries. Since a claim for unpaid salaries arises from employer-employee relations, Article 291 of the Labor Code applies.72 Arriolaas claim for unpaid salaries was filed beyond the three-year prescriptive period.

However, we find that Arriolaas claims for backwages, damages, and attorneyas fees arising from his claim of illegal dismissal have not yet prescribed when he filed his complaint with the Regional Arbitration Branch for the National Capital Region of the National Labor Relations Commission. As discussed, the prescriptive period for filing an illegal dismissal complaint is four years from the time the cause of action accrued. Since an award of backwages is merely consequent to a declaration of illegal dismissal, a claim for backwages likewise prescribes in four years.

The four-year prescriptive period under Article 1146 also applies to actions for damages due to illegal dismissal since such actions are based on an injury to the rights of the person dismissed.

In this case, Arriola filed his complaint three years and one day from his alleged illegal dismissal. He, therefore, filed his claims for backwages, actual, moral and exemplary damages, and attorneyas fees well within the four-year prescriptive period.

All told, the Court of Appeals erred in finding that Arriolaas claims for damages have already prescribed when he filed his illegal dismissal complaint.

II

Arriola abandoned his employment
with Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.

In general, we do not entertain questions of fact in a petition for review on certiorari.73 We do not try facts.74 Rule 45, Section 1 of the Rules of Court is clear that in a petition for review on certiorari with this court, only questions of law may be raised:

Section 1. Filing of petition with Supreme Court.

A party desiring to appeal by certiorari from a judgment or final order or resolution of the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Regional Trial Court or other courts whenever authorized by law, may file with the Supreme Court a verified petition for review on certiorari. The petition shall raise only questions of law which must be distinctly set forth. (Emphasis supplied)
A question of fact exists awhen the doubt arises as to the truth or falsity of the alleged facts.a75 On the other hand, there is a question of law awhen there is doubt as to what the law is on a certain state of facts.a76 As this court explained in Century Iron Works, Inc. v. BaAas:77

. . . For a question to be one of law, the question must not involve an examination of the probative value of the evidence presented by the litigants or any of them. The resolution of the issue must rest solely on what the law provides on the given set of circumstances. Once it is clear that the issue invites a review of the evidence presented, the question posed is one of fact.78
This court has made exceptions to this rule. We may review questions of fact in a petition for review on certiorari if:

(1) the findings are grounded entirely on speculations, surmises, or conjectures; (2) the inference made is manifestly mistaken, absurd, or impossible; (3) there is a grave abuse of discretion; (4) the judgment is based on misappreciation of facts; (5) the findings of fact are conflicting; (6) in making its findings, the same are contrary to the admissions of both appellant and appellee; (7) the findings are contrary to those of the trial court; (8) the findings are conclusions without citation of specific evidence on which they are based; (9) the facts set forth in the petition as well as in the petitioneras main and reply briefs are not disputed by the respondent; and (10) the findings of fact are premised on the supposed absence of evidence and contradicted by the evidence on record.79
In his petition for review on certiorari, Arriola raises questions of fact. He invites us to examine the probative value of a faxed letter80 containing a computation of his separation pay, and a certification81 from Imbestigadoras Managing Editor, stating that Arriola started writing for Imbestigador only on February 17, 2003. These pieces of documentary evidence allegedly prove that Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. illegally dismissed Arriola and that he did not abandon his employment.

This court has ruled that the issues of illegal dismissal82 and abandonment of employment83 are factual issues which cannot be raised in a petition for review on certiorari. Arriola also failed to persuade us why we should make an exception in this case.

We agree that Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. did not illegally dismiss Arriola. As the Court of Appeals ruled, athe removal of [Arriolaas] column from private respondent [Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.as newspaper] is not tantamount to a termination of his employment as his job is not dependent on the existence of the column aTinig ng Pamilyang OFWs.aa84 When Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. removed aTinig ng Pamilyang OFWsa from publication, Arriola remained as section editor.

Moreover, a newspaper publisher has the management prerogative to determine what columns to print in its newspaper.85 As the Court of Appeals held:

. . . it is a management prerogative of private respondent [Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.] to decide on what sections should and would appear in the newspaper publication taking into consideration the business viability and profitability of each section. Respondent [Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.] decided to replace the aPamilyang OFWsa section with another which it ought would better sell to the reading public. Every business enterprise endeavors to increase its profits. In the process, it may adopt or devise means designed towards that goal. Even as the law is solicitous of the welfare of the employees, it must also protect the right of an employer to exercise what are clearly management prerogatives. . . . The free will of management to conduct its own business affairs to achieve its purposes cannot be denied.86

Arriola abandoned his employment with Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. Abandonment is the aclear, deliberate and unjustified refusal of an employee to continue his employment, without any intention of returning.a87 It has two elements: first, the failure to report for work or absence without valid or justifiable reason and, second, a clear intention to sever employer-employee relations exists.88 The second element is athe more determinative factor and is manifested by overt acts from which it may be deduced that the employee has no more intention to work.a89

Assuming that Arriola started writing for Imbestigador only on February 17, 2003, he nonetheless failed to report for work at Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc. after November 15, 1999 and only filed his illegal dismissal complaint on November 15, 2002. He took three years and one day to remedy his dismissal. This shows his clear intention to sever his employment with Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.

Contrary to Arriolaas claim, Villar v. NLRC,90 Globe Telecom, Inc. v. Florendo-Flores,91 and Anflo Management & Investment Corp. v. Bolanio92 do not apply to this case. In these cases, the dismissed workers immediately took steps to remedy their dismissal, unlike Arriola who aslept on his rights.a93 In Villar, the workers filed their complaint within the month they were dismissed.94 In Globe, the employee filed her complaint two months after she had been constructively dismissed.95 In Anflo, the employee filed his complaint one day after he had been dismissed.96

With respect to the computation of Arriolaas separation pay allegedly faxed by Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inc.as accounting head, we agree with the Court of Appeals that this does not prove that Arriola was illegally dismissed:

[The faxed computation] does not conclusively show that the salaries were withheld from petitioner Arriola starting 01 December 1999. It could not likewise be given probative value as the said document does not bear the signature of an unauthorized representative of private respondent PSN[.] [N]either does it bears (sic) the official seal of the company. Besides, the abovementioned computation for separation pay is not a conclusive proof of the existence of dismissal or termination from work. It is just a mere computations (sic) which the authenticity thereof is being assailed.97 (Citations omitted)
Considering the foregoing, we will not disturb the Labor Arbiteras findings that Arriola was not illegally dismissed and that he abandoned his employment. This is true especially since the National Labor Relations Commission and the Court of Appeals affirmed these factual findings.98

WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Court of Appealsa decision dated August 9, 2006 and resolution dated November 24, 2006 in CA-G.R. SP No. 91256 are AFFIRMED.

SO ORDERED.

Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Peralta, Villarama, Jr.,* and Mendoza, JJ., concur.





September 24, 2014


N O T I C E OF J U D G M E N T


Sirs/Mesdames:

Please take notice that on ___August 13, 2014___ a Decision, copy attached herewith, was rendered by the Supreme Court in the above-entitled case, the original of which was received by this Office on September 24, 2014 at 2:18 p.m.


Very truly yours,
(SGD)
WILFREDO V. LAPITAN
Division Clerk of Court




* Villarama, Jr., J., designated as Acting Member per Special Order No. 1691 dated May 22, 2014 in view of the vacancy in the Third Division.

1 Rollo, pp. 50a57. This decision is dated August 9, 2006. Associate Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes (now a Justice of this court) penned the decision, with Associate Justices Jose C. Reyes, Jr. and Enrico A. Lanzanas concurring.

2 Id. at 58a59.

3 Id. at 7a8.

4 Id. at 60a61.

5 Id. at 62a72.

6 Id. at 64.

7 Id. at 65a67.

8 Id. at 85a91.

9 Id. at 87 and 63.

10 Id. at 141a155.

11 Id. at 136.

12 Id. at 97.

13 Id.

14 Id. at 98.

15 Id.

16 Id. at 98a99.

17 The year 2000 was a leap year.

18 Rollo, pp. 95a99.

19 Id. at 100a104.

20 Id. at 105a118.

21 Id. at 119a120.

22 Id. at 50.

23 Id. at 53.

24 Id.

25 Id.

26 Id. at 54.

27 Id. at 54a55.

28 Id. at 55.

29 Id. at 55a56.

30 Id. at 50a57.

31 Id. at 58.

32 Id. at 58a59.

33 Id. at 3a49.

34 Id. at 15a22.

35 Id. at 140.

36 Id. at 25a29.

37 Id. at 58, resolution dated January 29, 2007.

38 Id. at 59a70.

39 Id. at 59a60.

40 Id. at 63.

41 Id. at 64a66.

42 Id. at 75a105.

43 Texon Manufacturing v. Millena, 471 Phil. 318 (2004) [Per J. Sandoval-Gutierrez, Third Division].

44 Id.

45 Auto Bus Transport Systems, Inc. v. Bautista, 497 Phil. 863 (2005) [Per J. Chico-Nazario, Second Division].

46 Republic Planters Bank v. NLRC, 334 Phil. 124 (1997) [Per J. Bellosillo, First Division].

47 University of Pangasinan v. Hon. Confesor, 344 Phil. 134 (1997) [Per J. Romero, Second Division].

48 Anabe v. Asian Construction (Asiakonstrukt), G.R. No. 183233, December 23, 2009, 609 SCRA 213 [Per J. Carpio Morales, First Division].

49 Southeastern Shipping v. Navarra, Jr., G.R. No. 167678, June 22, 2010, 621 SCRA 361 [Per J. Del Castillo, First Division].

50 Callanta v. Carnation Philippines, Inc., 229 Phil. 279 (1986) [Per J. Fernan, Second Division].

51 Id. at 283.

52 Id.

53 Id. at 283 and 285.

54 LABOR CODE, art. 290 provides:

Art. 290. OFFENSES. Offenses penalized under this Code and the rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto shall prescribe in three (3) years.

55 Rollo, p. 285.

56 Id.

57 Id. at 286.

58 Id. at 288.

59 Id. at 289.

60 Id. at 287.

61 Id.

62 Id.

63 Id. at 287a288.

64 Id. at 289.

65 471 Phil. 318 (2004) [Per J. Sandoval-Gutierrez, Third Division].

66 Id. at 321.

67 Id.

68 Id. at 322.

69 Id. at 323.

70 Id. at 324.

71 Id. at 325.

72 University of Pangasinan v. Hon. Confesor, 344 Phil. 134 (1997) [Per J. Romero, Second Division]; Chavez v. Hon. Bonto-Perez, 312 Phil. 88 (1995) [Per J. Puno, Second Division].

73 RULES OF COURT, Rule 45, sec. 1.

74 New City Builders, Inc. v. NLRC, 499 Phil. 207, 212 (2005) [Per J. Garcia, Third Division].

75 Century Iron Works, Inc. v. BaAas, G.R. No. 184116, June 19, 2013, 699 SCRA 157, 166 [Per J. Brion, Second Division].

76 Id.

77 G.R. No. 184116, June 19, 2013, 699 SCRA 157 [Per J. Brion, Second Division].

78 Id. at 166a167.

79 Macasero v. Southern Industrial Gases Philippines, 597 Phil. 494, 498 (2009) [Per J. Carpio Morales, Second Division], citing Uy v. Villanueva, 553 Phil. 69, 79 (2009) [Per J. Nachura, Third Division].

80 Rollo, p. 136.

81 Id. at 140.

82 CaAedo v. Kampilan Security and Detective Agency, Inc., G.R. No. 179326, July 31, 2013, 702 SCRA 647, 658 [Per J. Del Castillo, Second Division].

83 Pure Blue Industries, Inc. v. NLRC, 337 Phil. 710, 716 (1997) [Per J. Kapunan, First Division].

84 Rollo, p. 54.

85 See Orozco v. The Fifth Division of the Honorable Court of Appeals, 584 Phil. 35 (2008) [Per J. Nachura, Third Division].

86 Rollo, p. 54.

87 Camua, Jr. v. NLRC, 541 Phil. 650, 657 (2007) [Per J. Quisumbing, Second Division], citing Cruz v. NLRC, 381 Phil. 775, 784 (2000) [Per J. Purisima, Third Division].

88 Id. at 657.

89 Id.

90 387 Phil. 706 (2000) [Per J. Bellosillo, Second Division].

91 438 Phil. 756 (2002) [Per J. Bellosillo, Second Division].

92 439 Phil. 309 (2002) [Per J. Corona, Third Division].

93 Rollo, p. 97.

94 387 Phil. 706, 709a710 (2000) [Per J. Bellosillo, Second Division].

95 438 Phil. 756, 760a761 (2002) [Per J. Bellosillo, Second Division].

96 439 Phil. 309, 313 (2002) [Per J. Corona, Third Division].

97 Rollo, p. 56.

98 Urbanes, Jr. v. Court of Appeals, 486 Phil. 276, 283a284 (2004) [Per J. Austria-Martinez, Second Division].

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