Facts:

• Blazer Car Marketing, Inc. and owner Freddie Chua are the petitioners.
• Respondents are spouses Tomas T. Bulauan and Analyn A. Briones.
• On November 16, 2003, Briones, a secretary/warehouse clerk since April 29, 1998, reminded Chua about SSS contributions and her missing employee ID.
• Briones noticed a discrepancy in Chua's signature on a certificate of employment for her husband, Bulauan, employed as a driver since December 4, 1999.
• Chua reacted angrily, leading to Briones being barred from work the next day with Chua stating, "Hoy, tanggal ka sa trabaho."
• Bulauan was also dismissed after confronting Chua about his wife's actions.
• The couple filed complaints for illegal dismissal, non-payment of 13th month pay, and separation pay, which were consolidated.
• The Labor Arbiter initially dismissed the complaints but ordered prorated 13th month pay.
• The NLRC affirmed this decision.
• The Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the respondents, declaring their dismissal illegal and awarding backwages and separation pay.
• Petitioners contested this ruling, leading to the current case.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision, ruling that the respondents were illegally dismissed.
• The dismissal was found to be without just cause.
• The penalty of dismissal was not proportionate to the alleg...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court stated that dismissal is the most severe penalty and requires substantial evidence for justification.
• Filing a complaint for illegal dismissal contradicts claims of abandonment.
• The petitioners' claim that Briones was dismissed for making unauthorized ID cards was seen as a contrived excuse without credible evidence.
• The alleged...continue reading