Case Digest (G.R. No. 150147)
Facts:
- Lydia Buenaobra and other petitioners filed a petition for review against Lim King Guan, Johnny Lim, and associates of Unix International Export Corporation (UNIX) and Fuji Zipper Manufacturing Corporation (FUJI).
- The case originated from complaints filed in 1991 and 1992 by UNIX employees regarding unfair labor practices, illegal lockouts, and wage underpayment.
- Labor Arbiter Jose S. de Vera ruled on February 23, 1993, ordering UNIX to pay the petitioners P5,821,838.40 in back wages and P1,484,912.00 in separation pay, among other awards.
- This decision became final as neither party appealed.
- Petitioners later claimed UNIX transferred its assets to FUJI, complicating the execution of the labor arbiter's decision.
- On March 25, 1997, petitioners filed a new complaint against UNIX and FUJI, seeking joint and several liability for the monetary awards.
- Labor Arbiter Felipe Pati ruled on May 31, 1998, in favor of the petitioners, piercing the corporate veil and ordering both corporations to pay P8,233,880.30 plus damages.
- Respondents appealed and requested exemption from posting a bond, claiming they were not the employers of the petitioners.
- The NLRC denied the request and ordered the bond to be posted, which was upheld by the Court of Appeals on May 29, 2001.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court denied the petition, affirming the decisions of the Court of Appeals and the NLRC.
- The Court held that the NLRC did not commit g...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court stated that the bond requirement under Article 223 of the Labor Code is a procedural matter meant to achieve substantial justice.
- The Court emphasized that while appeals m...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 150147)
Facts:
This case involves a petition for review filed by Lydia Buenaobra and numerous other petitioners against several respondents, including Lim King Guan, Johnny Lim, and others associated with Unix International Export Corporation (UNIX) and Fuji Zipper Manufacturing Corporation (FUJI). The events leading to this case began in 1991 and 1992 when the petitioners, who were employees of UNIX, filed multiple complaints against the corporation and its officers for various labor-related grievances, including unfair labor practices, illegal lockouts, underpayment of wages, and other claims. These complaints were consolidated and tried together, resulting in a decision by Labor Arbiter Jose S. de Vera on February 23, 1993, which ordered UNIX to pay the petitioners a total of P5,821,838.40 in back wages, P1,484,912.00 in separation pay, and other monetary awards. This decision became final and executory as neither party appealed it.
However, the petitioners later alleged that UNIX had transferred its assets to FUJI, which had the same officers and stockholders as UNIX, thereby making it difficult to execute the labor arbiter's decision. Consequently, on March 25, 1997, the petitioners filed a new complaint against UNIX, its officers, and FUJI, seeking to hold them jointly and severally liable for the monetary awards. Labor Arbiter Felipe Pati ruled in favor of the petitioners on May 31, 1998, piercing the corporate veil...