Facts:

• The case involves Felix Martos and other petitioners against New San Jose Builders, Inc. (respondent).
• In 2000, the respondent, a construction company, faced financial issues leading to the suspension of the San Jose Plains Project (SJPP) in Montalban, Rizal.
• The company announced layoffs and reassignments to its workers.
• Some workers, including Martos, were retained but asked to sign new appointment papers as project employees.
• Martos and others refused to sign, resulting in their dismissal.
• The petitioners filed three complaints for illegal dismissal and money claims, asserting they were regular employees.
• The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of Martos, declaring his dismissal illegal and awarding him monetary benefits, while dismissing the other claims without prejudice.
• Both parties appealed to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), which partially granted the petitioners' appeal and ordered reinstatement for all complainants, including Martos.
• The respondent filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals (CA), which reversed the NLRC's decision, reinstating the Labor Arbiter's ruling.
• The CA found that only Martos verified the position paper, leading to the dismissal of the other petitioners' complaints.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• The Court of Appeals did not err in dismissing the complaints of the other petitioners due to their failure to verify their position papers.
• Felix Martos should not be reinstate...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court upheld the CA's ruling, emphasizing the necessity of verification in legal pleadings.
• Verification ensures that allegations are true and made in good faith.
• Only Felix Martos verified the position paper, and there was no evidence he was authorized to represent the other petitioners, leading to their complaints being treated as...continue reading