Facts:

This case arises from a labor dispute between Anvil Ensembles Garment (the petitioner) and Melecio Bonabon (the respondent). Bonabon was employed as a company driver on a probationary basis starting January 7, 1997, earning a monthly salary of P4,500. On March 25, 1997, Anvil Ensembles informed Bonabon not to report to work anymore, without providing any explanation for this abrupt termination. Bonabon appealed to the employer to retain his job, citing job scarcity, but his requests were ignored, prompting him to file a Complaint for Illegal Dismissal before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) on September 3, 1997. The case was filed as NLRC Case No. RAB-IV-9-9316-97-RI.

In response, Anvil Ensembles presented a joint affidavit from two employees, Sally Duquila and Marivic Santos, alleging that Bonabon had mishandled a cutting machine belonging to the company, causing damages worth P8,000. The Labor Arbiter found the termination unlawful, concluding that Anvil Ensembl

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Facts:

Employment and Termination:

• On January 7, 1997, Melecio Bonabon was hired by Anvil Ensembles Garment as a company driver on a probationary basis, with a monthly salary of P4,500.00.
• On March 25, 1997, Bonabon was advised not to report for work anymore without any explanation from the employer.

Allegations of Negligence:

• Anvil Ensembles claimed that Bonabon was negligent in handling a cutting machine, which resulted in damage costing P8,000.00 for repairs.
• The company submitted a joint affidavit from employees Sally Duquila and Marivic Santos, alleging that Bonabon was responsible for the damage to the cutting machine during a delivery.

Legal Proceedings:

• On September 3, 1997, Bonabon filed a Complaint for Illegal Dismissal (NLRC Case No. RAB-IV-9-9316-97-RI).
• The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of Bonabon, declaring his dismissal illegal due to lack of substantial evidence of negligence and failure to afford procedural due process.
• The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) affirmed the Labor Arbiter's decision.
• The Court of Appeals (CA) also affirmed the NLRC's decision but deleted the award of attorney's fees.

Issue:

1. Whether Anvil Ensembles had a valid and just cause to terminate Bonabon's employment.
2. Whether the procedural due process requirements were complied with in terminating Bonabon's employment.
3. Whether the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the NLRC's decision and deleting the award of attorney's fees.

Ruling:

• (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

• (Subscriber-Only)

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court affirmed the lower courts' rulings, holding that Anvil Ensembles unlawfully terminated Bonabon's employment due to lack of substantial evidence of gross negligence and failure to comply with procedural due process requirements. The petition was denied for lack of merit.