Title
Wesleyan University-Philippines vs. Maglaya Sr.
Case
G.R. No. 212774
Decision Date
Jan 23, 2017
WUP's ex-President Maglaya, deemed a corporate officer, challenged his dismissal; SC ruled NLRC lacked jurisdiction, classifying it as an intra-corporate dispute.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 212774)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Background and Appointments
    • Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) is a non–stock, non–profit, non-sectarian educational corporation organized on April 28, 1948.
    • Respondent Guillermo T. Maglaya, Sr. was appointed corporate member (January 1, 2004), elected trustee (January 9, 2004; re-elected May 25, 2007), and elected University President for a five-year term on May 25, 2005.
  • Expiration of Terms and New Board Installation
    • By memorandum dated November 28, 2008, the Bishops of the United Methodist Church advised that corporate terms expired December 31, 2008 unless renewed. Maglaya and other members sought renewal.
    • Bishops formed an Ad Hoc Committee, appointed new corporate members and trustees (formal notice April 24, 2009), and new Board Chairman Palomo terminated Maglaya’s presidency on April 27, 2009.
  • Procedural History
    • Maglaya and former board members filed an injunction and damages suit in the RTC; it was dismissed as a prohibited intra-corporate harassment suit; CA affirmed (2011).
    • Maglaya filed an illegal dismissal complaint with the Labor Arbiter (LA); LA dismissed for lack of jurisdiction (2011); NLRC reversed, finding illegal dismissal and awarding P2,505,208.75 (2012); CA denied WUP’s Rule 65 petition; WUP elevated to the Supreme Court.

Issues:

  • Whether respondent Maglaya is a corporate officer or a mere employee for purposes of jurisdiction.
  • Whether the NLRC had jurisdiction over his illegal dismissal case.
  • Whether WUP timely availed of its remedy to assail the NLRC decision by certiorari under Rule 65.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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