Case Digest (G.R. No. 159268)
Facts:
- Balagtas Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. hired Josefina Hipolito-Herrero as a part-time manager in April 1991.
- Josefina was required to report to the office in Sulok, Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a monthly salary of P4,000.
- In September 1992, a branch office was created in Wawa, Balagtas, Bulacan, and Josefina was required to report there from 8:00 to 12:00 noon before going to the Sulok office.
- Josefina received a proportionate increase in salary for the additional work.
- In 1994, the board members decided to close the Wawa branch.
- Josefina informed them of her intention to take a leave of absence from May 9 to May 30, 1994.
- After her leave, she did not report for work and later filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and non-payment of 13th month pay or Christmas Bonus.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court ruled that cooperatives are not exempt from filing an appeal bond.
- The certification from the Cooperative Development Authority does no...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The provision cited by the petitioners regarding the exemption from posting a bond must be interpreted in relation to the Cooperative Code as a whole.
- The Cooperative Code grants certain benefits and privileges to cooperatives, including tax exemptions.
- However, the exemption from posting a bond is only one of these privileges and must be stri...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 159268)
Facts:
The case of Balagtas Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. v. Court of Appeals involves a petition for review filed by the Balagtas Multi-Purpose Cooperative and its manager, Aurelio Santiago. The case stemmed from an order for the cooperative to pay backwages and benefits to a former employee, Josefina Hipolito-Herrero. The Supreme Court denies their appeal, ruling that cooperatives are not exempt from posting an appeal bond.
The facts of the case are as follows: Balagtas Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. hired Josefina Hipolito-Herrero as a part-time manager in April 1991. She was required to report to the office in Sulok, Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a monthly salary of P4,000. In September 1992, a branch office was created in Wawa, Balagtas, Bulacan, and Josefina was required to report there from 8:00 to 12:00 noon before reporting to her office in Sulok. In May 1994, Josefina informed the board members that she would be taking a leave of absence from May 9 to May 30, 1994, which was approved. In a special meeting on June 2, 1994, the board members decided to close the Wawa branch. After her leave of absence, Josefina did not report for work and later filed her resignation. In February 1995, she filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and non-payment of 13th month pay or Christmas Bonus. The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of Josefina, ordering Balagtas to pay backwages, 13th month pay, and separation pay. Balagtas appealed the decision to the NLRC but failed to post an appeal bond as required by the Labor Code. They argued that cooperatives are exempt from posting a bond under the Cooperative Code. The NLRC ordered them to post a bond, and the CA upheld the decision, stating that the exemption from posting a bond applies only to appeals from inferio...