Title
Brillantes vs. Castro
Case
G.R. No. L-9223
Decision Date
Jun 30, 1956
Brillantes filed a wage claim with WAS, entered arbitration, and lost. He later sued in court, but the Supreme Court upheld dismissal, ruling the WAS decision final under res judicata and the arbitration agreement binding.

Case Digest (G.R. No. L-9223)

Facts:

  • Initial Complaint and Arbitration Agreement
    • On December 1, 1953, Eduardo Brillantes (plaintiff) filed a complaint against Leonardo Castro (defendant) before the Wage Administration Service (WAS) for unpaid salary and overtime pay (Case No. C-1046).
    • On February 15, 1954, both parties entered into an arbitration agreement, agreeing to submit the case to the WAS for investigation and to abide by its decision, which they recognized as final and conclusive.
  • WAS Decision
    • On May 31, 1954, the WAS rendered a decision dismissing Brillantes' claim for overtime and underpayment but ordered Castro to pay P50.88 for unpaid salary for November 1953.
    • No appeal was filed against this decision.
  • Subsequent Complaint in Court
    • On November 10, 1954, Brillantes filed a complaint in the Court of First Instance of Manila, seeking the same relief as in the WAS case.
    • Castro filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the WAS decision was final and conclusive.
  • Trial Court's Decision
    • The trial court granted the motion to dismiss, holding that the WAS decision was final and binding under Republic Act No. 602 (Minimum Wage Law) and the arbitration agreement.

Issues:

  • Whether the decision of the Wage Administration Service (WAS) is final and conclusive, barring Brillantes from filing a subsequent case in court.
  • Whether the doctrine of res judicata applies to decisions rendered by quasi-judicial bodies like the WAS.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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