Case Digest (G.R. No. L-37003)
Facts:
Philippine Maritime Industrial Union (PAMIU), petitioner, vs. Court of Industrial Relations (CIR) and Maritime Company of the Philippines (MCP), respondents, G.R. No. L-37003, October 23, 1974, Supreme Court Second Division, Fernando, J., writing for the Court.Petitioner PAMIU had earlier participated in a preliminary investigation before the Prosecution Division of the CIR in an unfair labor practice proceeding (referred to in the CIR order as Case No. 5692-ULP). During that preliminary hearing the prosecution division recorded oral testimony and documentary evidence. On September 19, 1972, the union filed a "Motion for Adoption of Evidence" asking the CIR to automatically reproduce, without retaking, the testimony and documents already in the prosecution division's record as part of the evidence on the merits.
Private respondent Maritime Company of the Philippines opposed the motion, arguing that adoption of the prosecution-division record would derogate its right to a fair trial and due process because the trial panel would be precluded from deciding on admissibility, assessing credibility by direct observation, and conducting its own fact-finding. The CIR denied the motion (order of November 7, 1972) and, on motion for reconsideration, the CIR affirmed that denial (resolution of May 10, 1973), reasoning that the Court was not bound by the findings of its Prosecution Division and must hear the case on the merits.
Petitioner sought review in this Court by appeal by certiorari from the CIR's order and resolution. The Supreme ...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Should the Court of Industrial Relations have granted the union's motion to adopt, without retaking, evidence previously recorded and submitted before its Prosecution Division?
- Does allowing such adoption, under the circumstances, violate the private respondent's right to due proc...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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