CASES

I. 2019 CASES
a. Regular and project employee; distinguished, Burden to prove
project employment; Termination; Valid cause and
observance of due process. DOMINIC INOCENTES, JEFFREY
INOCENTES, JOSEPH CORNELIO AND REYMARK
CATANGUI, vs. R. SYJUCO CONSTRUCTION, INC. (RSCI) /
ARCH. RYAN I. SYJUCO, G.R. No. 237020, July 29, 2019.
b. The repeated and successive rehiring of project employees do
not qualify them as regular employees, as length of service is
not the controlling determinant of the employment tenure of a
project employee, but whether the employment has been fixed
for a specific project or undertaking, its completion has been
determined at the time of the engagement of the employee. The
employee's entitlement to monetary claims, the burden of proof
is shifted from the employer or the employee, depending on the
monetary claim TELEPHILIPPINES, INC., v. FERRANDO H.
JACOLBE, G.R. No. 233999, February 18, 2019

II. 2018 Cases

a. Liability of the principal/employer and the

recruitment/placement agency for any and all claims,
PRINCESS TALENT CENTER PRODUCTION, INC., AND/OR
LUCHI SINGH MOLDES, vs. DESIREE T. MASAGCA, G.R. No.
191310, APRIL 11, 2018.
b. Retirement (Laya, vs. CA, et al., G.R. No. 205813, January 10,
2018) 
i. Refusal to retire
ii. Retirement plan vs. Labor Code 
            1. Philippine Airlines, Inc. vs. Arjan T.
Hassaram 
            2. G.R. No. 217730, June 5, 2017 
c. Retirement (Laya, vs. CA, et al., G.R. No. 205813, January 10,
2018) 
 d. Redundancy (American Power Conversion Corporation vs. Lim,
G.R. No. 214291, January 11, 2018) 
        i. Redundancy carried out by persons belonging to related
companies; Labor claims against related         companies 

e. Employment contract (De Roca vs. Dabuyan, et al., G.R. No.

215281, March 5, 2018)
1. Employment contract cannot take effect outside of the
contracting parties,
f. FASAP Case: Retrenchment (G.R. No. 178083/A.M. No. 11-10-
1-SC, March 13, 2018)
1. Audited financial statement (AFS); AFS may not be
presented;
2. Judicial notice of losses;
3. Rehiring of some of the retrenched employees;
4. Rehabilitation;
5. Quitclaim

III. 2017 Cases

    a. Employer-Employee Relationship (Nestle Philippines, Inc.

vs. Puedan, G.R. No. 220617, January 30, 2017) 
        i. Valencia vs. Classique Vinyl Products Corporation, G.R.
No. 206390, January 30, 2017 
        ii. Element of Control 
            1. Lu vs. Enopia, G.R. No. 197899, March 6, 2017 
        iii. Remittance with SSS as proof of employment 
            1. Lu vs. Enopia, G.R. No. 197899, March 6, 2017 
        iv. Imposition of disciplinary action; company policy 
            1. Sumifru (Philippines) Corp. vs. Nagkahiusang
Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm (Namasufa-Naflu-Kmu), G.R.
No. 202091, June 7, 2017

    b. Due Process in Labor Cases

    c. Labor-Only Contracting 

        i. Valencia vs. Classique Vinyl Products Corporation, G.R.

No. 206390, January 30, 2017

    d. Serious misconduct 
        i. Maula vs. Ximex Delivery Express, Inc., G.R. No. 207838,
January 25, 2017 
        ii. No serious misconduct but there is loss of trust 
            1. Bravo vs. Urios College (Now Father Saturnino Urios
University), G.R. No. 198066, June 7, 2017 
        iii. No serious misconduct 
            1. BDO Unibank, Inc. vs. Nerbes, G.R. No. 208735, July
19, 2017

        iv. Disrespect towards superior 

            1. Sterling Paper Products Enterprises, Inc. vs. KMM-
Katipunan, G.R. No. 221493, August 2, 2017

    e. Willful disobedience 
        i. Disobedience is not willful 
            1. BDO Unibank, Inc. vs. Nerbes, G.R. No. 208735, July
19, 2017 
        ii. Penalty is too harsh 
            1. BDO Unibank, Inc. vs. Nerbes, G.R. No. 208735, July
19, 2017

    f. Totality of Infractions 
        i. Maula vs. Ximex Delivery Express, Inc., G.R. No. 207838,
January 25, 2017

    g. Disability Benefits 
        i. Scanmar Maritime Services, Inc. Crown Ship
management Inc. vs. De Leon, G.R. No. 199977, January
          25, 2017 
        ii. Compensation for disability 
            1. Maersk Filipinas Crewing Inc., and Maersk Co. IOM
Ltd. vs. Ramos, G.R. No. 184256, January
            18, 2017 
        iii. Disability refers to loss or impairment of earning
capacity and not to pain or injury 
            1. Maersk Filipinas Crewing Inc., and Maersk Co. IOM
Ltd. vs. Ramos, G.R. No. 184256, January 
           18, 2017 
        iv. Permanent Total Disability 
            1. Hoegh Fleet Services Phils., Inc., vs. Turallo, G.R. No.
 230481, July 26, 2017 
            2. 120-day rule; 240-day rule 
                a. Crystal Shipping doctrine 
                  i. Atienza vs. Orophil Shipping International Co., Inc.,
et al., G.R. No. 191049, August 7, 2017 
                b. Filing before the lapse of 120 days 
                  i. Status Maritime Corporation and Admibros Ship
management Co., Ltd. vs. Doctolero, G.R. No.
                  198968, January 18, 2017 
                c. Caderao vs. Senator Crewing (Manila), Inc., et
al./Senator Crewing (Manila), Inc., et al. vs. Caderao, 
                   G.R. No. 224532/G.R. No. 224565, June 21, 2017
                d. Hoegh Fleet Services Phils., Inc., vs. Turallo, G.R.
No. 230481, July 26, 2017 
                e. TSM Shipping Phils., Inc. vs. Patino, G.R. No.
210289, March 20, 2017 
                f. Aldaba vs. Career Philippines, Ship management,
Inc., Columbia Ship management Ltd., and/or 

     g. Verlou Carmelito, G.R. No. 218842, June 21, 2017

                h. Gomez vs. Crossworld Marine Services, Inc., G.R. No. 220002,
August 2, 2017 
            3. When findings of company physician prevail 
                a. Jebsens Maritime, Inc., et al. vs. Rapiz, G.R. No. 218871.
January 11, 2017 
            4. Findings of company physician vs. private doctor 
                a. Espere vs. NFD International Manning Agents, Inc., G.R. No.
212098, July 26, 2017 
                b. Perea vs. Elburg Ship management Philippines, Inc., et al., G.R.
No. 206178, August 9, 2017 
            5. Return of award 
                a. Espere vs. NFD International Manning Agents, Inc., G.R. No.
212098, July 26, 2017 
            6. Vergara doctrine 
                a. TSM Shipping Phils., Inc. vs. Patino, G.R. No. 210289, March
20, 2017 
            7. Third doctor 
               a. Caderao vs. Senator Crewing (Manila), Inc., et al./Senator
Crewing (Manila), Inc., et al. vs. Caderao, 
                   G.R. No. 224532/G.R. No. 224565, June 21, 2017
                b. North Sea Marine Services Corporation vs. Enriquez, G.R. No.
201806, August 14, 2017 
            8. Ailment not complained of at the time of repatriation 
                a. Maunlad Trans Inc., Carnival Cruise Lines vs. Isidro, G.R. No.
222699, July 24, 2017 
        v. Temporary total disability 
            1. TSM Shipping Phils., Inc. vs. Patino, G.R. No. 210289, March 20,
2017 
        vi. Partial Permanent Disability 
            1. Gomez vs. Crossworld Marine Services, Inc., G.R. No. 220002,
August 2, 2017

    h. Backwages 
        i. Computation 
            1. C.I.C.M. Mission Seminaries School of Theology, Inc., Fr. Romeo
Nimez, CICM vs. Perez, G.R. 
              No. 220506, January 18, 2017 
            2. United Coconut Chemicals, Inc. vs. Valmores, G.R. No. 201018,
July 12, 2017 
        ii. Not due when dismissal is for just cause 
            1. Bravo vs. Urios College (Now Father Saturnino Urios University),
G.R. No. 198066, June 7, 2017

    i. Affidavit of service 
        i. Effect of failure to append 
            1. C.I.C.M. Mission Seminaries School of Theology, Inc., Fr. Romeo
Nimez, CICM vs. Perez, G.R. 
            No. 220506, January 18, 2017

    j. Immutability of judgment 
        i. Re-computation of award 
            1. C.I.C.M. Mission Seminaries School of Theology, Inc., Fr. Romeo
Nimez, CICM vs. Perez, G.R. 
             No. 220506, January 18, 2017

    k. Supersedeas Bond 
        i. Motion to reduce bond 
            1. Turks Shawarma Company vs. Pajaron, G.R. No. 207156. January
16, 2017
    l. Compensability of illness 
        i. No automatic compensability 
            1. Barsolo vs. Social Security System, G.R. No. 187950. January 11,
2017 
        ii. Grieg Philippines, Inc. Grieg Shipping Group vs. Gonzales, G.R. No.
228296, July 26, 2017

    m. Work-related Death 
        i. Barsolo vs. Social Security System, G.R. No. 187950. January 11,
2017 
        ii. Death compensation 
            1. Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. vs. Heirs of Ganal, G.R. No.
220168, June 7, 2017 
        iii. Suicide of seafarer 
            1. Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. vs. Heirs of Ganal, G.R. No.
220168, June 7, 2017 
            2. Burden of proof; Strange behavior 
              a. Seapower Shipping, Ent., Inc. vs. Heirs of Warren M. Sabanal,
G.R. No. 198544, June 19, 2017 
        iv. Notorious negligence; "in the course of" 
            1. Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. vs. Heirs of Ganal, G.R. No.
220168, June 7, 2017 
            2. Atienza vs. Orophil Shipping International Co., Inc., et al., G.R.
No. 191049, August 7, 2017

    n. Resignation 
        i. Defense of resignation by employer 
            1. Grande vs. Philippine Nautical Training College, G.R. No. 213137,
March 1, 2017 
        ii. Clear and convincing evidence 
            1. Grande vs. Philippine Nautical Training College, G.R. No. 213137,
March 1, 2017 
        iii. Forced resignation 
            1. Doble vs. ABB, Inc., G.R. No. 215627, June 5, 2017 
        iv. Option to resign 
            1. Cosue vs. Ferritz Integrated Development Corporation, et al., G.R.
No. 230664, July 24, 2017

    o. Abandonment of work 
        i. Immediate filing of illegal dismissal 
            1. Brown vs. Marswin Marketing, Inc., et al., G.R. No. 206981, March
15, 2017 
            2. Spectrum Security Services, Inc. vs. Grave, G.R. No. 196650, June
7, 2017 
        ii. Premature filing of labor case 
            1. Claudia's Kitchen, Inc. vs. Tanguin, G.R. No. 221096, June 28,
2017

    p. Petition for Certiorari 

        i. Reglementary period vs. Petition for review on certiorari 
            1. Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc., et al. vs. Mapagu, G.R.
No. 196084, February 15, 2017 
        ii. Consideration of errors not assigned; opening entire case for review 
            1. Javines vs. Xlibris a.k.a. Author Solutions, Inc., G.R. No. 214301,
June 7, 2017 
        iii. Execution pending certiorari 
            11. Espere vs. NFD International Manning Agents, Inc., G.R. No.
212098, July 26, 2017 
        iv. Filing Motion for Reconsideration 
            1. Genpact Services, Inc. vs. Santosfalceso, G.R. No. 227695, July 31,
2017 
        v. Extension to file 
            1. Heavy workload of counsel 
              a. Adtel, Inc. vs. Valdez, G.R. No. 189942, August 9, 2017

    q. Loss of trust and confidence / Willful breach of trust 

        i. Failure to establish breach of trust 
            1. Sta. Ana vs. Manila Jockey Club, Inc., G.R. No. 208459, February
15, 2017 
        ii. Actual and willful breach supported by substantial evidence 
            1. Panaligan vs. Phyvita Enterprises Corporation, G.R. No. 202086,
June 21, 2017 
        iii. Managerial employee 
            1. PJ Lhuillier, Inc. vs. Camacho, G.R. No. 223073, February 22,
2017 
            2. Must be exercised without abuse of discretion 
              a. Bravo vs. Urios College (Now Father Saturnino Urios University),
G.R. No. 198066, June 7, 2017

    r. Project employment 
        i. Usually necessary and desirable 
            1. E. Ganzon, Inc. (EGI) vs. Ando, G.R. No. 214183, February 20,
2017 
            2. Herma Shipyard, Inc. vs. Oliveros, G.R. No. 208936, April 17,
2017 
        ii. Length of service 
            1. E. Ganzon, Inc. (EGI) vs. Ando, G.R. No. 214183, February 20,
2017 
        iii. Repeated and successive re-hiring 
            1. E. Ganzon, Inc. (EGI) vs. Ando, G.R. No. 214183, February 20,
2017

    s. Retirement 
        i. Continued engagement after retirement 
            1. De La Salle Araneta University vs. Bernardom, G.R. No. 190809,
February 13, 2017 
        ii. Estoppel 
            1. De La Salle Araneta University vs. Bernardom, G.R. No. 190809,
February 13, 2017 
        iii. Retirement plan vs. Labor Code 
            1. Philippine Airlines, Inc. vs. Arjan T. Hassaram 
            2. G.R. No. 217730, June 5, 2017

    t. MCLE Compliance of counsel 

        i. Doble vs. ABB, Inc., G.R. No. 215627, June 5, 2017

    u. Certified true copy vs. certified photocopy 

        i. Doble vs. ABB, Inc., G.R. No. 215627, June 5, 2017

    v. Work-related illness 
        i. No automatic compensability 
            1. Madridejos vs. Nyk-Fil Ship Management, Inc., G.R. No. 204262,
June 7, 2017 
        ii. Reasonable connection 
            1. Espere vs. NFD International Manning Agents, Inc., G.R. No.
212098, July 26, 2017 
        iii. Presumption of work-relatedness; presumption of compensability 
            1. Atienza vs. Orophil Shipping International Co., Inc., et al., G.R.
No. 191049, August 7, 2017 
            2. Romana vs. Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, G.R. No. 192442,
August 9, 2017

    w. SSS Contributions 
        i. Acquittal from criminal case and extinguishment of civil liability 
            1. Ambassador Hotel, Inc. vs. Social Security System, G.R. No.
194137, June 21, 2017 
    x. Closure of business 
        i. Piercing the veil; alter ego doctrine 
            1. Zambrano vs. Philippine Carpet Manufacturing
Corporation/Pacific Carpet Manufacturing Corporation, et                 al.,
G.R. No. 224099, June 21, 2017

    y. Redundancy 
        i. Philippine National Bank vs. Dalmacio/ Dalmacio vs. Philippine
National Bank, G.R. No. 202308/G.R. No. 
            202357, July 5, 2017

    z. Burden of proof in illegal dismissal case 

        i. Cosue vs. Ferritz Integrated Development Corporation, et al., G.R.
No. 230664, July 24, 2017

    aa. Graceful exit 
        i. Cosue vs. Ferritz Integrated Development Corporation, et al., G.R.
No. 230664, July 24, 2017

    bb. Expulsion or impeachment of union officer 

        i. No loss of union membership 
            1. United Polyresins, Inc. vs. Pinuela, G.R. No. 209555, July 31, 2017

    cc. Testimony 
        i. Recantation 
            1. Sterling Paper Products Enterprises, Inc. vs. KMM-Katipunan,
G.R. No. 221493, August 2, 2017

    dd. Post-Employment Medical Examination 

        i. Scanmar Maritime Services, Inc. Crown Shipmanagement Inc. vs. De
Leon, G.R. No. 199977, January
             25, 2017

    ee. Cancellation of union registration 

        i. Asian Institute of Management vs. Asian Institute of Management
Faculty Association, G.R. No. 207971,
             January 23, 2017 
        ii. De Ocampo Memorial Schools, Inc. vs. Bigkis Manggagawa sa De
Ocampo Memorial School, Inc., G.R. 
            No. 192648, March 15, 2017

    ff. Security of tenure

    gg. Management prerogative 
        i. Transfer of employee 
            1. Chateu Royale Sports and Country Club, Inc. vs. Balba, G.R. No.
197492, January 18, 2017

    hh. Termination of employment 
        i. Stipulation to terminate is void 
            1. Dagasdas vs. Grand Placement and General Services Corporation,
G.R. No. 205727, January 18, 2017

    ii. Employment contract 
        i. Lex loci contractus 
            1. Dagasdas vs. Grand Placement and General Services Corporation,
G.R. No. 205727, January 18, 2017

    jj. Release, Waiver and Quitclaim 

        i. Dagasdas vs. Grand Placement and General Services Corporation,
G.R. No. 205727, January 18, 2017 
        ii. Improperly notarized release and quitclaim; effects 
            1. Doble vs. ABB, Inc., G.R. No. 215627, June 5, 2017 
        iii. Allegation of "forced to sign" 
            1. Philippine National Bank vs. Dalmacio/ Dalmacio vs. Philippine
National Bank, G.R. No. 202308/G.R. 
            No. 202357, July 5, 2017

    kk. Appeal 
        i. One-day late due to unforeseen events; Perfection 
            1. Maersk Filipinas Crewing Inc., and Maersk Co. IOM Ltd. vs.
Ramos, G.R. No. 184256, January 
            18, 2017 
        ii. Finality of decision for failure to appeal 
            1. Javines vs. Xlibris a.k.a. Author Solutions, Inc., G.R. No. 214301,
June 7, 2017 
        iii. Consideration of errors not assigned on appeal 
            1. Javines vs. Xlibris a.k.a. Author Solutions, Inc., G.R. No. 214301,
June 7, 2017

    ll. Authority of counsel 
        i. Presumed authorized 
            1. Maersk Filipinas Crewing Inc., and Maersk Co. IOM Ltd. vs.
Ramos, G.R. No. 184256, January
             18, 2017

    mm. Separation benefits 
        i. Acceptance; Estoppel 
            1. Doble vs. ABB, Inc., G.R. No. 215627, June 5, 2017

    nn. Constructive dismissal 
        i. Doble vs. ABB, Inc., G.R. No. 215627, June 5, 2017 
        ii. Constructive dismissal in relation to off-detail period 
            1. Spectrum Security Services, Inc. vs. Grave, G.R. No. 196650, June
7, 2017

    oo. Off-detail status 
        i. Return to work order should indicate specific assignment 
            1. Ibon vs. Genghis Khan Security Services and/or Marietta
Vallespin, G.R. No. 221085, June 19, 2017

    pp. Separation pay 
        i. Separation pay where there is no dismissal 
            1. Claudia's Kitchen, Inc. vs. Tanguin, G.R. No. 221096, June 28,
2017

    qq. Post employment medical examination for seafarers 

        i. Mandatory reporting upon repatriation 
            1. Andres vs. Diamon H Marine Services & Shipping Agency, Inc., et
al., G.R. No. 217345, July 12, 2017

    rr. Res judicata 
        i. Issue preclusion rule; collateral estoppel; law of the case doctrine;
supervening event 
            1. Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc., et al. vs. Cual, G.R. No.
207684, July 17, 2017