Case Summary (G.R. No. L-40136)

Enforcement of Judgment and Writ of Execution

The Court of Industrial Relations issued an alias writ of execution to enforce a judgment favoring the Cosmos Foundry Shop Workers Union against the New Century Foundry Shop. The court determined that the properties had been fictitiously sold to Lo Bu to evade the execution of the judgment. When the sheriff attempted to levy these properties, Lo Bu filed urgent motions to recall the writ, claiming a lack of jurisdiction by the Court of Industrial Relations. These motions were denied, and Lo Bu subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, which also denied his appeal. In the interim, Lo Bu initiated a replevin suit concerning the same properties. The labor union moved to dismiss this suit, arguing that Lo Bu was a fictitious buyer, a position supported by the earlier findings of the Court of Industrial Relations and the Supreme Court. The lower court dismissed Lo Bu's complaint, leading to his appeal to the Court of Appeals, which prompted the labor union to file the current petition.

• Court of Industrial Relations issued alias writ of execution.
• Properties were found to be fictitiously sold to Lo Bu.
• Lo Bu's motions to recall the writ were denied.
• Supreme Court denied Lo Bu's appeal.
• Lo Bu filed a replevin suit for the same properties.
• Labor union moved to dismiss, citing Lo Bu's fictitious buyer status.
• Lower court dismissed the replevin suit, leading to Lo Bu's appeal.

Finality of the Writ of Execution

The Supreme Court established that the finality of the writ of execution was confirmed when it denied Lo Bu's certiorari petition challenging the jurisdiction of the Court of Industrial Relations. This decision is considered the law of the case, which cannot be reviewed or reversed by any court. Consequently, the Court of Appeals was restrained from taking further action on Lo Bu's appeal, as the issues had already been settled by the Supreme Court.

• Supreme Court's denial of certiorari confirmed writ's finality.
• Decision is the law of the case, not subject to review.
• Court of Appeals restrained from further action on Lo Bu's appeal.

Certiorari as a Remedy for Labor Unions

The ruling emphasizes that while certiorari is generally not available when there is an adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, labor unions can utilize it to prevent delays in the satisfaction of judgments in their favor. Given the prolonged nature of the labor dispute, which lasted thirteen years, the court recognized the need to halt any schemes that would undermine labor's rightful claims.

• Certiorari can be used by labor unions to prevent delays.
• The prolonged labor dispute justified the use of certiorari.
• Court aimed to protect labor's just claims from being undermined.

Law of the Case and Res Judicata

The principle of the law of the case prevents the Court of Appeals from acting on an appeal related to a replevin suit when the Supreme Court has previously ruled on the jurisdiction of the Court of Industrial Relations. The Supreme Court's ruling on jurisdiction is binding and has the effect of res judicata, meaning it cannot be disregarded by other courts. The trial court's dismissal of Lo Bu's replevin suit was therefore upheld as correct.

• Law of the case prevents further action by the Court of Appeals.
• Supreme Court's ruling on jurisdiction is binding.
• Dismissal of Lo Bu's replevin suit was upheld as correct.

Ethical Obligations of Counsel

The court highlighted the ethical responsibilities of lawyers, stating that while they must defend their clients vigorously, they should not disregard the truth or the intent of labor laws. Counsel for Lo Bu was criticized for failing to uphold these ethical standards, as his actions appeared to prioritize client interests over legal integrity. This raises questions about his standing in the legal profession.

• Lawyers must defend clients without disregarding the truth.
• Counsel for Lo Bu criticized for unethical conduct.
• Ethical lapses can jeopardize a lawyer's standing in the bar.

Jurisdictional Issues and Direct Appeals

The court noted that appeals from trial court dismissals based on res adjudicata shoul...continue reading