G.R. No. 227070 - Adamson University Faculty and Employees Union vs. Adamson University

Petitioner Orestes Delos Reyes was a professor and assistant chairperson of the Social Sciences Department at Adamson University and president of its Faculty and Employees Union, the exclusive bargaining agent of faculty and non-academic personnel.
Respondent was Adamson University, the employer of petitioner.

On September 5, 2014, Adamson University received an administrative complaint against Delos Reyes by Josephine Esplago on behalf of her 17-year-old daughter, Paula Mae Perlas, a third-year psychology student.
Josephine alleged that Delos Reyes verbally abused Paula Mae by exclaiming “anak ng puta” while both were holding opposite sides of a door’s doorknob, causing emotional trauma to the minor student.
The complaint cited violations of the University Code of Conduct and Republic Act No. 7610 (for protection of minors).

An Ad Hoc Investigating and Hearing Committee was created by the University President on September 11, 2014 to investigate and make recommendations.
On September 12, 2014, the Committee issued a show-cause memorandum to Delos Reyes charging him with gross misconduct and unprofessional behavior.
Delos Reyes initially did not file a response but later submitted a written explanation using the Union letterhead denying the accusations and filed a counter-complaint against Paula Mae for maligning his reputation.
Both complaints were consolidated; a hearing was conducted on October 7, 2014 with Delos Reyes represented by counsel.

On October 24, 2014, Delos Reyes was served a Notice of Dismissal, which was denied upon reconsideration by the University.
Adamson published a paid advertisement clarifying the reasons for petitioner’s dismissal, which Delos Reyes claimed damaged his reputation.
Delos Reyes filed a Notice of Strike and agreed to submit the dispute to voluntary arbitration.

The Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators (PVA) issued a Decision on May 12, 2015, affirming the validity of Delos Reyes’ dismissal for gross misconduct and unprofessional behavior, noting his expected exemplary conduct as a Catholic school faculty and union president.
The PVA relied on the utterance of “anak ng puta” directed at a minor student without provocation, and considered other prior complaints of unprofessional conduct.
Delos Reyes filed a Petition for Review which the Court of Appeals denied in an April 28, 2016 Decision, finding ample procedural due process was accorded and ruling that the dismissal was justified.
The Court of Appeals further held that the dismissal did not constitute unfair labor practice, affirming that being union president does not grant immunity from disciplinary action.
The present Rule 45 Petition for Review to the Supreme Court challenges these rulings, arguing among others that the University acted in haste, was biased, treated him unfairly compared to other employees, and that the dismissal was an act of unfair labor practice linked to his union activities.