Case Digest (G.R. No. 211411)
Facts:
- Silvertex Weaving Corporation (STWC), Armando Arcenal, and Robert Ong (petitioners) filed a petition for review on certiorari against Teodora F. Campo (respondent).
- Campo was employed as a weaving machine operator at STWC since June 11, 1999.
- She claimed unlawful dismissal on November 21, 2010, following a one-week suspension starting November 14, 2010, due to an incident involving an overheated stitching machine.
- Upon returning to work on November 21, 2010, Campo was denied entry by a security guard, allegedly on Arcenal's instructions.
- Petitioners argued that Campo voluntarily resigned after being reprimanded for poor performance, presenting a handwritten resignation letter dated November 13, 2010, and a Waiver, Release, and Quitclaims Statement indicating she received P30,000.
- Campo denied signing these documents and claimed she did not receive the money.
- The Labor Arbiter dismissed Campo's complaint for lack of merit on June 30, 2011.
- Campo appealed to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), which initially ruled in her favor on November 29, 2011, finding the signatures on the petitioners' documents to be forgeries.
- The NLRC later reversed its decision on March 19, 2012, based on a Questioned Document Report (QDR) from the PNP Crime Laboratory, which indicated Campo's signatures were authentic.
- Campo then filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals (CA), which ruled in her favor on June 13, 2013, reinstating the NLRC's initial decision with modifications.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- Yes, Teodora F. Campo was illegally dismissed from her employment.
- The petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that Campo voluntarily resigned.
- The Court...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court stated that the burden of proof in labor cases lies with the employer to show that an employee was not dismissed or that the dismissal was lawful.
- The petitioners' assertion of voluntary resignation was based on a letter that Campo denied signing.
- The Court found the NLRC's reliance on the QDR from the PNP Crime Laboratory to be misplaced, noting discrepancies between Campo's signature on the resignation let...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 211411)
Facts:
The case involves a petition for review on certiorari filed by Silvertex Weaving Corporation (STWC), Armando Arcenal, and Robert Ong (petitioners) against Teodora F. Campo (respondent). The events leading to the case began when Campo, who was employed as a weaving machine operator at STWC since June 11, 1999, claimed she was unlawfully dismissed on November 21, 2010. Prior to her dismissal, she faced a one-week suspension starting November 14, 2010, due to an incident where the stitching machine she operated overheated and emitted smoke on November 13, 2010. Upon attempting to return to work on November 21, 2010, Campo was denied entry by a security guard, allegedly following instructions from Arcenal.
In defense, the petitioners contended that Campo had voluntarily resigned after being reprimanded for poor job performance. They presented a handwritten resignation letter purportedly signed by Campo on November 13, 2010, along with a Waiver, Release, and Quitclaims Statement, which indicated she received P30,000. Campo, however, denied signing these documents and claimed she did not receive the money.
The Labor Arbiter, Fatima Jambaro-Franco, ruled on June 30, 2011, dismissing Campo's complaint for lack of merit. Campo appealed to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), which initially granted her appeal on November 29, 2011, finding that the signatures on the petitioners' documents appeared to be forgeries. The NLRC concluded that Campo was constructively dismissed and entitled to reinstatement and monetary awards. However, upon a motion for reconsideration from the petitioners...