G.R. No. 179652 - People's Broadcasting vs. Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment

Petitioner People’s Broadcasting Service, Inc. (Bombo Radyo) was subjected to a labor inspection and subsequently ordered by DOLE to pay various money claims of respondent Jandeleon Juezan.
Juezan filed before DOLE-RO VII complaints for illegal deductions, nonpayment of service incentive leave, 13th-month pay, premium pay for holiday and rest day, illegal diminution of benefits, delayed wages, and non-coverage of SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth.

On 23 September 2003, a DOLE labor inspector conducted a plant-level inspection. The Inspection Report noted “non-diminution of benefits” but recorded the employer’s denial of any employer-employee relationship.
The Notice of Inspection Results (same date) reiterated management’s denial, citing per-drama contracts, cash vouchers, billing statements, and absence of payroll control.
Petitioner failed to rectify the alleged violations within five days; DOLE conducted a summary investigation and required position papers from both parties.
In an Order dated 27 February 2004, DOLE-RO VII Regional Director Rodolfo M. Sabulao ruled that Juezan was an employee of petitioner and granted money claims totaling ₱203,726.30.
Petitioner’s motion for reconsideration was denied on 24 May 2004.

Petitioner appealed to the DOLE Secretary but failed to post the required cash or surety bond, submitting instead a Deed of Assignment of Bank Deposit. The Acting Secretary dismissed the appeal on 27 January 2005.
Petitioner filed a Rule 65 petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals, claiming denial of due process and lack of jurisdiction by DOLE. On 26 October 2006 the CA denied relief; its 26 June 2007 resolution denied reconsideration.

Petitioner sought certiorari under Rule 65, arguing that DOLE lacked jurisdiction because no employer-employee relationship existed, that evidence was disregarded, and that its appeal bond had been wrongly rejected.

Whether DOLE had jurisdiction under Article 128(b) of the Labor Code, as amended by R.A. 7730, to decide money claims when employer-employee relationship was contested.
Whether the DOLE Regional Director and the Secretary committed grave abuse of discretion or denied due process by disregarding petitioner’s documentary evidence.
Whether the Deed of Assignment of Bank Deposit substantially complied with the cash or surety bond requirement to perfect an appeal under Article 128(b).
Whether a Rule 65 petition for certiorari was the proper remedy instead of a Rule 45 petition for review on certiorari.