Case Digest (G.R. No. 180719)
Facts:
- Centennial Transmarine, Inc., Centennial Maritime Services Corporation, and B+H Equimar Singapore, Pte. Ltd. (petitioners) filed a petition against Ruben G. Dela Cruz (respondent).
- Dela Cruz was hired as Chief Officer of the oil tanker "MT Aquidneck" on May 9, 2000, for a nine-month contract.
- He boarded the vessel on May 15, 2000, and was relieved of his duties on September 14, 2000, and repatriated to the Philippines.
- Dela Cruz sought clarification regarding his dismissal but received unsatisfactory responses.
- He filed a complaint for illegal dismissal on October 7, 2000, claiming unpaid salaries, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.
- Dela Cruz alleged that another Chief Officer boarded the vessel without notice while it was docked in Lake Charles, USA.
- The petitioners claimed Dela Cruz was dismissed due to inefficiency and lack of knowledge, which endangered the vessel and crew.
- The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of the petitioners, stating Dela Cruz was validly dismissed for breaching trust and confidence.
- The NLRC upheld this decision, but the Court of Appeals reversed it, declaring the dismissal illegal and ordering compensation.
- The petitioners' motion for reconsideration was denied, leading to the current petition.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court denied the petition and affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision that Dela Cruz was illegally dismissed.
- The Court found that the petitioners did not provide substantial evidence to justify the dismissal.
- Dela Cruz was entitled to his salaries for the unex...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court highlighted that the employer bears the burden of proof to show that the dismissal was valid and justified.
- For dismissals based on loss of trust and confidence, it is crucial to establish that the employee holds a managerial position.
- Dela Cruz was recognized as a managerial employee, necessitatin...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 180719)
Facts:
The case involves a petition for review on certiorari filed by Centennial Transmarine, Inc., Centennial Maritime Services Corporation, and B+H Equimar Singapore, Pte. Ltd. (collectively referred to as "petitioners") against Ruben G. Dela Cruz (the "respondent"). The events leading to the case began on May 9, 2000, when the petitioners hired Dela Cruz as the Chief Officer of the oil tanker vessel "MT Aquidneck" for a nine-month contract. He boarded the vessel on May 15, 2000, and performed his duties until September 14, 2000, when he was relieved of his position and repatriated to the Philippines. Dela Cruz sought an explanation for his dismissal but received unsatisfactory responses from the petitioners. Consequently, he filed a complaint for illegal dismissal on October 7, 2000, seeking unpaid salaries, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.
Dela Cruz alleged that while the vessel was docked in Lake Charles, USA, another Chief Officer boarded the vessel without prior notice to him. He inquired about this change with Captain Kowalewski, who claimed ignorance but showed him an email indicating that a new Chief Officer was to take over. After his repatriation on September 22, 2000, Dela Cruz learned from Eduardo Jabla, the President of Centennial Transmarine, that his relief might have been due to disagreements with a company superintendent regarding operational procedures.
The petitioners contended that Dela Cruz was dismissed due to inefficiency and lack of knowledge in tanker operations, which allegedly endangered the vessel and crew. They claimed that he was advised to take a refresher course but instead filed for illegal dismissal. The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of the petitioners, stating that Dela Cruz was validly dismissed for breaching trust and confidence. The Na...