Title
Royal Interocean Lines vs. Court of Industrial Relations
Case
G.R. No. L-11745
Decision Date
Oct 31, 1960
A foreign corporation in the Philippines was cleared of unfair labor practice for terminating an employee, as her charges against a manager were deemed unrelated to union activities.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-11745)

Facts:

  • Royal Interocean Lines is a foreign corporation based in Hong Kong with a branch in Manila, Philippines.
  • Ermidia A. Mariano was employed by the petitioner from January 5, 1932, until her dismissal on October 23, 1953.
  • The dismissal followed a deteriorating relationship between Mariano and branch manager Kamerling, exacerbated by Mariano's complaint against Kamerling to the managing director in Hong Kong.
  • Following the complaint, and with approval from the head office, Kamerling dismissed Mariano.
  • Mariano filed a charge of unfair labor practice against the petitioner and Kamerling under Section 4(a), subsection 5 of Republic Act No. 875 in the Court of Industrial Relations.
  • The court found both the petitioner and Kamerling guilty of unfair labor practices and ordered Mariano's reinstatement with backpay.
  • The petitioner appealed the decision via certiorari, challenging the lower court's ruling.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioner, reversing the decision of the Court of Industrial Relations.
  • The order for the re...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Supreme Court's decision focused on the interpretation of Section 4(a), subsection 5 of Republic Act No. 875, which prohibits dismissal or discrimination against an employee for filing charges or providing testimony under the Act.
  • The Court clarified that this provision must be viewed in the context of the employee's rights to self-organization and collective bargaining.
  • It emphasized that Mariano's charges against Kamerling were not connected to her union activities.
  • The Court noted that the statute ai...continue reading

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