Facts:

The case involves Balmar Farms, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "BALMAR"), the petitioner, and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the Associated Labor Union (ALU), the respondents. BALMAR is a corporation engaged in banana planting, operating in Kapalong, Davao, with its address at 60 V. Mapa St., Davao City. The ALU is a labor organization registered with the Ministry of Labor and Employment (now the Department of Labor and Employment) and has its regional office in Davao City. On October 27, 1982, Med-Arbiter Antonino G. Jolejole certified ALU as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative for BALMAR's rank-and-file workers after a certification election held on October 19, 1982, where ALU received the majority of votes.

In November 1982, BALMAR received a letter from Johnny Y. Luces, president of the Balmar Employees Association, stating that the employees wished to disassociate from ALU and negotiate directly with BALMAR. Following th...

Facts:

Parties Involved

• Petitioner: Balmar Farms, Inc. (BALMAR), a corporation engaged in banana farming in Kapalong, Davao.
• Respondents:
  • National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
  • Associated Labor Unions (ALU), a registered labor organization representing BALMAR's rank-and-file employees.

Certification Election

• On October 19, 1982, a certification election was held at BALMAR's premises.
• On October 27, 1982, Med-Arbiter Antonino G. Jolejole certified ALU as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative of BALMAR's rank-and-file employees after ALU won the majority of votes.

Disaffiliation Letter

• In November 1982, BALMAR received a letter dated November 12, 1982, from Johnny Y. Luces, President of the Balmar Farms Employees Association. The letter stated that a majority of employees wished to disaffiliate from ALU and negotiate directly with BALMAR.

Collective Bargaining Proposal

• On February 8, 1983, ALU sent BALMAR a letter with proposals for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• BALMAR replied on February 25, 1983, refusing to negotiate with ALU, citing the disaffiliation letter from Luces.
• ALU reiterated its position on March 1, 1983, asserting its certification as the exclusive bargaining representative.
• BALMAR maintained its refusal on March 10, 1983, stating that ALU needed to disprove the disaffiliation claim.

Unfair Labor Practice Complaint

• ALU filed a complaint for unfair labor practice against BALMAR for refusing to bargain collectively, docketed as NLRC Case No. 1114-LR-XI-83.

Labor Arbiter's Decision

• On March 13, 1984, Labor Arbiter Potenciano S. Canizares, Jr. ruled that BALMAR was guilty of unfair labor practice and ordered it to cease such acts and bargain collectively with ALU.

NLRC Resolution

• BALMAR appealed to the NLRC, which dismissed the appeal on July 31, 1985, affirming the Labor Arbiter's decision.
• BALMAR's motion for reconsideration was denied on October 4, 1985.

Issue:

The pivotal issue is whether BALMAR is guilty of unfair labor practice for refusing to bargain collectively with ALU.

Ruling:

• (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

• (Subscriber-Only)

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court upheld the NLRC's decision, finding BALMAR guilty of unfair labor practice for refusing to bargain collectively with ALU, the certified bargaining representative of its employees.