Case Digest (G.R. No. 64694)
Facts:
Eugenio Sagmit, Regional Director, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. V, Legazpi City v. Hon. Vicente P. Sibulo, Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court of Legazpi City; and Isabelo Asaytuno, G.R. No. L-64694, November 21, 1984, Supreme Court First Division, Relova, J., writing for the Court.Two employees of Isabelo Asaytuno, owner-operator of St. Gregory Repair Shop, filed complaints for unpaid wages with the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) Regional Office No. V on September 14 and October 12, 1981. A conciliation on October 14, 1981 produced a compromise providing for installment payments; after one installment Asaytuno defaulted and the three employees refiled on November 4, 1981 to recover the balance. On February 5, 1982, Regional Director Eugenio Sagmit issued an order directing Asaytuno to pay the amounts due.
Instead of complying, Asaytuno filed Civil Case No. 6801 in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Albay seeking to prohibit enforcement of Director Sagmit’s February 5, 1982 order, contending that Batas Pambansa Blg. 130 and PD 1691 divested the Regional Director of quasi‑judicial authority over such money claims. Director Sagmit moved to dismiss in the RTC, asserting that the petition was without factual or legal basis and that the dispute fell within the exclusive jurisdiction of labor authorities.
The RTC denied Sagmit’s motion on May 30, 1983, holding that the issues required legal interpretation properly lodged with the courts. On July 18, 1983 the RTC issued a writ of preliminary injunction (upon bond of P1,500) restraining Sagmit or his agents from executing the challenged MOLE order pending final determination. Sagmit thereupon filed the instant petition...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the Regional Trial Court have jurisdiction to entertain Civil Case No. 6801 seeking to enjoin the Regional Director of MOLE from enforcing his February 5, 1982 order?
- Whether, after PD 1691 (and repeal of Labor Code Article 228 by Batas Pambansa Blg. 130), the Regional Director retains conciliatory powers under Article 227 of the Labor Code and whether money claims arising from employer-employee relations fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters and the ...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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