Title
San Miguel Corp. vs. Deputy Minister of Labor and Employment
Case
G.R. No. L-61232-33
Decision Date
Dec 29, 1983
San Miguel Corporation terminated district sales supervisor Bienvenido Soto for alleged misappropriation of funds, prompting a legal dispute over his reinstatement and backwages.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. L-61232-33)

Facts:

  • San Miguel Corporation is the petitioner; Deputy Minister of Labor and Employment, Regional Director Dioscora Arellano, and Bienvenido Soto are the respondents.
  • Bienvenido Soto was employed as a field warehouseman on April 11, 1950, and later promoted to District Sales Supervisor with a monthly salary of P1,940.00 and various allowances.
  • Soto received multiple awards, including 'Salesman of the Year.'
  • On January 16, 1978, he was suspended pending an investigation into alleged misconduct involving cash refunds for condemned shells.
  • Soto filed a complaint on August 29, 1978, claiming preventive suspension, illegal dismissal, and illegal salary deductions.
  • The company accused Soto of failing to destroy condemned shells and misappropriating funds by falsely reporting returns.
  • The Regional Director granted termination clearance, citing loss of trust and confidence in Soto.
  • Both parties appealed to the Ministry of Labor, which ordered Soto's reinstatement with three years of back wages on September 21, 1981.
  • San Miguel Corporation filed a petition for certiorari to contest this decision.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court ruled in favor of San Miguel Corporation, setting aside the Deputy Minister's decision.
  • The Court reinstated the Regional Director's order, allowing the termination of Bienvenido Soto...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Court found no merit in the due process argument, stating the Regional Director adequately considered the evidence.
  • Loss of trust and confidence is a valid ground for dismissal, not r...continue reading

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