Case Digest (G.R. No. 141673)
Facts:
- Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) and its president, Augusto B. Sunico, are the petitioners.
- Respondents include the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Noemi B. Juat, and Edilberto Azurin.
- MLQU established a retirement plan for employees on June 26, 1967, approved by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
- The plan included eligibility criteria for retirement benefits, with compulsory retirement at age 65 or after 20 years of service.
- Noemi B. Juat began her employment as a part-time instructor on June 16, 1965, and was informed of her retirement eligibility on January 14, 1993.
- Juat was compulsorily retired effective March 31, 1994, and received retirement pay, which she deemed insufficient under Republic Act No. 7641.
- Edilberto Azurin, a full-time employee for 25 years, received a retirement notice on June 7, 1994, and also contested his retirement pay as inadequate.
- Both Juat and Azurin filed complaints with the NLRC after MLQU denied their requests for higher retirement benefits.
- The Labor Arbiter initially ruled in favor of MLQU, but the NLRC reversed this decision, awarding Juat and Azurin their retirement differentials.
- MLQU's motion for reconsideration was denied, leading to an appeal to the Court of Appeals, which upheld the NLRC's ruling.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision, which upheld the NLRC's ruling that Juat and Azurin were entitled t...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Court stated that Republic Act No. 7641 aims to guarantee minimum retirement benefits for employees, especially those inadequately covered by existing retirement plans or collective bargaining agreements.
- The law applies retroactively to include services rendered before its enactment, extending benefits...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 141673)
Facts:
The case involves Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) and its president, Augusto B. Sunico, as petitioners against the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Noemi B. Juat, and Edilberto Azurin as respondents. The events leading to this case began when MLQU established a retirement plan for its employees on June 26, 1967, which was approved by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The plan outlined the eligibility criteria for retirement benefits, including provisions for compulsory retirement at the age of 65 or after 20 years of service. Noemi B. Juat, who began her employment as a part-time instructor on June 16, 1965, was informed of her eligibility for retirement in a letter dated January 14, 1993. Although her retirement was initially deferred, she was ultimately considered compulsorily retired effective March 31, 1994. Juat received her retirement pay but believed it was insufficient, claiming she was entitled to a higher amount based on Republic Act No. 7641.
Similarly, Edilberto Azurin, who worked full-time for 25 years, received a retirement notice on June 7, 1994, along with a retirement pay that he also contested as inadequate. Both Juat and Azurin filed complaints with the NLRC after their demands for higher retire...