Facts:

• Philippine Fruit & Vegetable Industries, Inc. (PFVII) is a government-owned corporation involved in manufacturing and processing fruit and vegetable purees for export.
• Pedro Castillo, the President and General Manager of PFVII, is a petitioner.
• The respondents are the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the Philippine Fruit and Vegetable Workers Union-Tupas Local Chapter, representing 194 union members.
• On September 5, 1988, the union filed a complaint for unfair labor practice and/or illegal dismissal with damages against PFVII, initially for 127 members, later increasing to 194.
• The union claimed the dismissals were due to union activities and lacked just cause.
• The Labor Arbiter initially ruled in favor of the union, finding PFVII liable for illegal dismissal.
• On appeal, the NLRC remanded the case for further proceedings, and subsequent decisions by Labor Arbiters again found PFVII liable.
• The NLRC affirmed these decisions with modifications, leading PFVII to file a special civil action for certiorari with the Supreme Court.
• The core issue was whether the union members were regular employees or seasonal workers whose employment ceased during off-seasons.

Issue:

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Ruling:

1. The Supreme Court ruled that the union members were regular employees as their work was necessary and desirable for PFVII's business operations.
2. The Court affirmed the NLRC's decision regarding the 80 union members who presented evidence ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court emphasized that the NLRC's findings of fact, affirming those of the Labor Arbiter, are entitled to great weight if supported by substantial evidence.
• Article 280 of the Labor Code defines regular employment as work necessary or desirable in the usual business of the employer.
• The union members' roles, including seeders, operators, sorters, slicers, janitors, drivers, truck helpers, mechanics, and office personnel, were integral to PFVII's operations, making them regular employees.
• The Co...continue reading