Title
Finman General Assurance Corp. vs. Inocencio
Case
G.R. No. 90273-75
Decision Date
Nov 15, 1989
A surety company is liable for a recruitment agency's obligations as enforced by the labor authority under a surety bond.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. 90273-75)

Facts:

  • The case involves Finman General Assurance Corporation (petitioner) and private respondents William Inocencio, Perfecto Palero Jr., Edwin Cardones, and Edwin Hernandez.
  • Pan Pacific Overseas Recruiting Services, Inc. (Pan Pacific) was licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) after posting a surety bond from Finman.
  • Private respondents filed complaints against Pan Pacific with the POEA, alleging violations of Articles 32 and 34(a) of the Labor Code, specifically for charging placement fees without securing employment.
  • The POEA Administrator impleaded Finman as a party respondent due to its role as surety for Pan Pacific.
  • Summonses were served to both Finman and Pan Pacific; however, Pan Pacific had moved without notifying the POEA, resulting in constructive service of the complaints.
  • Finman denied liability, claiming the POEA lacked jurisdiction over surety bonds and that the claims were invalid as they were merely deposits.
  • A hearing was held on April 14, 1988, where complainants presented evidence, but Finman did not appear.
  • On May 30, 1989, the POEA Administrator ordered both Pan Pacific and Finman to pay the complainants and imposed a fine on Pan Pacific.
  • Finman appealed to the Secretary of Labor, who upheld the POEA's decision.
  • Finman subsequently filed a Petition for Certiorari with the Supreme Court, reiterating its claims regarding jurisdiction and liability.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the POEA had the authority to implead Finman as a party respondent in the proceedings against Pan Pacific.
  • The Court also ruled that the POEA was authorized to enforc...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Supreme Court emphasized the joint and several liability of a surety under a surety bond, as stated in Section 176 of the Insurance Code.
  • The bond posted by Finman was a requirement under Article 31 of the Labor Code, which grants the Secretary of Labor exclusive power to determine claims against such bonds.
  • The Court found that the POEA had the authority to require Pan Pacific to refund plac...continue reading

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