Case Digest (G.R. No. 164315)
Facts:
Alcatel Philippines, Inc., and Yolanda Delos Reyes v. Rene R. Relos, G.R. No. 164315, July 03, 2009, Supreme Court First Division, Carpio, J., writing for the Court. Petitioners are Alcatel Philippines, Inc. (a domestic corporation engaged in installation and supply of telecommunications equipment) and Yolanda Delos Reyes (a former Administrative Officer); respondent is Rene R. Relos, an employee who sued for illegal dismissal and other monetary claims.On 4 January 1988 and 1 March 1988, Alcatel engaged Relos on short-term, clearly labeled temporary assignments as Estimator/Draftsman for specific PLDT projects. Later, Alcatel engaged Relos on a series of time-bound contracts for the PLDT 1342 project: initial contracts from 1 February 1991 and successive renewals through periods ending 31 July 1992; a hiring as “project employee” from 1 August 1992 to 31 July 1993 with two renewals up to 31 December 1993; a three-month extension to 31 March 1994; then as Site Inspector until 31 December 1995. On 11 December 1995 Alcatel informed Relos the project would be completed and his contract would expire on 31 December 1995.
In March 1997 Relos filed a complaint for illegal dismissal, separation pay, unpaid wages and overtime, damages, and attorney’s fees, claiming he was a regular employee and was dismissed during the existence of a project. The Labor Arbiter (24 September 1998) found Relos a regular employee, ruled his dismissal illegal, and awarded back wages and monetary claims. The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed (20 February 2002), declaring Relos a project employee whose employment terminated upon contract expiration; the NLRC denied reconsideration (19 December 2002). The Court of Appeals (CA-G.R. SP No. 75965) set aside the NLRC decision and reinstated...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Was Rene R. Relos a regular employee or a project employee of Alcatel Philippines, Inc.?
- If a project employee, was Relos illegally di...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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