SECOND DIVISION
|
COCA-COLA BOTTLERS
PHILIPPINES, INC., Petitioner, - versus - RODRIGO MERCADO, ANTONIO
VILLERO, LUISITO MANTIBE, MARCELO FABIAN, EDMUNDO YALUNG, EDILBERTO GUEVARRA,
MICHAEL GUICO, ANGEL FERNANDO, ERNESTO DELA CRUZ, EFREN FERNANDO, ROBERTO
TORRES, JIMMY DUNGO, WILLY OCAMPO, SANDRO DIZON, ALLAN OCAMPO, CARLITO
MANABAT, CARLITO SINGIAN, JAY MANABAT, ERIC AQUINO, RODRIGO DAVID, NICOLAS
LUQUIAZ,*
LUCIO MANTIBE, PRUDENCIO PALALON, RAFAEL CABRERA, ROMMER SINGIAN,** ROGELIO MALIT, ALVIN ANDAYA, EMERITO
B. DUNGCA, ALMIRANTE GORAL,*** AND
NICOLAS CURA, Respondents. |
G.R.
No. 190381
Present: VELASCO,
JR., J.,**** NACHURA,***** Acting Chairperson, PERALTA, SERENO,******
JJ. Promulgated: October 6, 2010 |
x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
RESOLUTION
NACHURA, J.:
Before
us is a Manifestation and Motion[1]
filed by respondents, stating that petitioner has satisfied the judgment award
in their favor by way of a Compromise Agreement[2] dated June 16, 2010. On the basis of the Compromise Agreement, the
parties filed a motion for judgment, which was granted by the Labor Arbiter in
an Order[3]
dated June 21, 2010, declaring NLRC Case No. RAB-III-02-3910-02,[4] the
origin of the instant case, as closed and terminated. Respondents pray that the petition for review
before us be dismissed for having been rendered moot and academic by
petitioner’s satisfaction of judgment.
The Compromise Agreement reads—
COMPROMISE AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, in February 2002, MICHAEL MEROVIN GUICO [“Guico”], ANGEL FERNANDO [“Fernando”], LUISITO MANTIBE [“Mantibe”], WILLY OCAMPO [“Ocampo”], ALLAN OCAMPO [“Ocampo”], ALMERANTE GORAL [“Goral”], CARLITO MANABAT [“Manabat”], ERNESTO DELA CRUZ [“Dela Cruz”], JAY MANABAT [“Manabat”], NICOLAS CURA [“Cura”], SANDRO DIZON [“Dizon”], NICOLAS LUQUIAS [“Luquias”], RODRIGO MERCADO [“Mercado”], ALVIN ANDAYA [“Andaya”], ANTONIO VILLERO [“Villero”], EDILBERTO GUEVARRA [“Guevarra”], EFREN FERNANDO [“Fernando”], EMERITO DUNGCA [“Dungca”], ERIC AQUINO [“Aquino”], JIMMY DUNGO [“Dungo”], MARCELO FABIAN [“Fabian”], ROBERTO TORRES [“Torres”], RODRIGO DAVID [“David”], ROMER SINGIAN [“Singian”], CARLITO SINGIAN [“Singian”], EDMUNDO YALUNG [“Yalung”], PRUDENCIO PALALON [“Palalon”], RAFAEL CABRERA [“Cabrera”], ROGELIO MALIT [“Malit”] and LUCIO MANTIBE [“Mantibe”] (collectively, the “Complainants”) were among the complainants who filed a complaint for illegal dismissal and regularization with claims for wage and benefits differential according to CBA, moral and exemplary damages against COCA COLA BOTTLERS PHILIPPINES INC. [the “Company”] docketed as NLRC Case No. RAB-III-02-3901-02 and NLRC NCR CA No. 037888-03 entitled “Rodrigo Mercado, et al. v. Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., et al.”
WHEREAS, on 30 September 2003, Labor Arbiter Herminio V. Suelo rendered a Decision dismissing the Complaint against the Company;
WHEREAS, complainant’ Appeal was granted by the NLRC in its 30 July 2008 Resolution; the dispositive portion of which states:
WHEREFORE, the Motion for Reconsideration of complainants is GRANTED. The Decision dated January 31, 2005 is SET ASIDE and VACATED, and NEW ONE entered;
(a) declaring respondent Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc. as the employer of complainants;
(b) finding complainants to have been dismissed illegally;
(c) ordering Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. to reinstate complainants to their former positions as regular employees without loss of seniority rights and with other privileges and with payment of full backwages from the date of dismissal on June 3, 2002 until actual reinstatement;
(d) declaring Romac Services & Trading Co. Inc. and Rogelio S. Cunanan General Services to be engaged in labor-only contracting; and
(e) ordering respondent Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc. to pay attorney’s fees at 10% of the total award.
The other claims are dismissed for lack of merit.
SO ORDERED.
WHEREAS, CCBPI filed a Petition for Certiorari with the Court of Appeals docketed as CA G.R. SP No. 108404 entitled “Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. vs. National Labor Relations Commission and Rodrigo Mercado, et al.”
WHEREAS, on 20 August 2009, the Eight Division of the Court of Appeals rendered a Decision denying the Petition;
WHEREAS, the Company filed a Motion for Reconsideration which was denied by the Court of Appeals in its 18 November 2009 Resolution;
WHEREAS, the Company filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari with the Supreme Court, which is docketed as G.R. No. 190381 entitled “Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. vs. Rodrigo Mercado, et al.”
WHEREAS, the Company has nevertheless decided to settle/satisfy complainants’ claims/award and thus put an end to NLRC Case No. RAB-III-02-3901-02; NLRC NCR CA No. 037888-03; CA G.R. SP No. 108404 and G.R. No. 190381;
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants set forth hereinbelow, the parties agree as follows:
1. Complainants shall each receive financial assistance in the amount as follows:
NAME AMOUNT
Michael Merovin Guico P
2,153,850.00
Angel Fernando 2,266,300.00
Luisito Mantibe 2,266,300.00
Willy Ocampo 2,266,300.00
Allan Ocampo 2,655,550.00
Almerante Goral 2,655,550.00
Carlito Manabat 2,655,550.00
Ernesto Dela Cruz 2,655,550.00
Jay Manabat 2,655,550.00
Nicolas Cura 2,655,550.00
Sandro Dizon 2,655,550.00
Nicolas Luquias 2,941,000.00
Rodrigo Mercado 2,941,000.00
Alvin Andaya 3,036,150.00
Antonio Villero 3,036,150.00
Edilberto Guevarra 3,036,150.00
Efren Fernando 3,036,150.00
Emerito Dungca 3,036,150.00
Eric Aquino 3,036,150.00
Jimmy Dungo 3,036,150.00
Marcelo Fabian 3,036,150.00
Roberto Torres 3,036,150.00
Rodrigo David 3,036,150.00
Romer Singian 3,036,150.00
Carlito Singian 3,269,700.00
Edmundo Yalung 3,269,700.00
Prudencio Palalon 3,269,700.00
Rafael Cabrera 3,269,700.00
Rogelio Malit 3,269,700.00
Lucio Mantibe 3,330,250.00
as complete settlement of their claims in NLRC NCR Case No. 00-07-07574-99/NLRC NCR CA No. 030908-02 and/or full satisfaction of the judgment award, including the reinstatement aspect thereof, in CA G.R. SP No. 108404 and G.R. No. 190381.
2. Complainants agree that the amount received is in consideration of any and all monetary claims they might have as well as and including separation pay in lieu of their actual reinstatement as regular employees including any other liability or claims arising from, in relation to and/or in connection with their assignment with the Company.
3. By virtue of this Agreement, complainants consider their claims (including the reinstatement aspect thereof) in NLRC RAB III-02-3901-02/NLRC NCR CA No. 037888-03 as fully settled, and the judgment award in CA G.R. SP No. 108404 and G.R. No. 190381 (including the reinstatement aspect thereof) as fully satisfied, and hereby consider said cases as dismissed, with prejudice, and undertake to desist from prosecuting and/or instituting any other case or claim against any and/or all the respondents.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have
hereunto affixed their signatures this 16th day of June 2010 at the
City of
COMPLAINANTS: LAGUESMA MAGSALIN CONSULTA
&
GASTARDO
Counsel for Coca-Cola Bottlers
(Signed) Philippines, Inc.
MICHAEL MEROVIN GUICO 706 Prestige Tower,
(Signed) By:
ANGEL FERNANDO
(Signed) BERNARDINO
F. CONSULTA
LUISITO MANTIBE PTR No. 5922571; 01-11-10;
IBP No. 810944; 01-11-10;
Roll No. 33337
(Signed) MCLE Compliance No. III-0010894
WILLY OCAMPO 31 March 2010
(Signed) (Signed)
ALLAN OCAMPO CARLOS LUIS L. FERNANDEZ
PTR No. 5922576; 01-11-10;
IBP No. 810942; 01-11-10;
(Signed) Roll No. 45321
ALMERANTE GORAL MCLE Compliance No. III-0010898
31 March 2010
(Signed)
CARLITO MANABAT
(Signed)
ERNESTO DELA CRUZ
(Signed)
JAY MANABAT
(Signed)
NICOLAS CURA
(Signed)
SANDRO DIZON
(Signed)
NICOLAS LUQUIAS
(Signed)
RODRIGO MERCADO
(Signed)
ALVIN ANDAYA
(Signed)
ANTONIO VILLERO
(Signed)
EDILBERTO GUEVARRA
(Signed)
EFREN FERNANDO
(Signed)
EMERITO DUNGCA
(Signed)
ERIC AQUINO
(Signed)
JIMMY DUNGO
(Signed)
MARCELO FABIAN
(Signed)
ROBERTO TORRES
(Signed)
RODRIGO DAVID
(Signed)
ROMER SINGIAN
(Signed)
CARLITO SINGIAN
(Signed)
EDMUNDO YALUNG
(Signed)
PRUDENCIO PALALON
(Signed)
RAFAEL CABRERA
(Signed)
ROGELIO MALIT
(Signed)
LUCIO MANTIBE
Assisted by:
(Signed)
ATTY. NENITA C. MAHINAY
In its own Manifestation
and Compliance,[5]
petitioner confirms the parties’ amicable settlement through the Compromise
Agreement and professes that it interposes no objection to respondents’ prayer
for dismissal of the petition.
Petitioner also submits, aside from a copy of the Compromise Agreement,
a Joint Release, Waiver and Quitclaim[6]
dated June 16, 2010, where the respondents acknowledged receipt of the amounts
indicated in the Compromise Agreement as complete settlement of all their
claims against petitioner, relative to this case, and in consideration of which
they—
1. x x x remise, release and forever discharge
the Company, its successors-in-interest, stockholders, officers, directors,
agents or employees from any action, sum of money, damages, claims and demands
whatsoever, which in law or in equity [they] ever had, now have, or which
[they, their] successors and assigns hereafter may have by reason of any
matter, cause or thing whatsoever, up to the time of these presents, the
intention hereof being completely and absolutely to release the Company as well
as its successors-in-interest, stockholders, officers, directors, agents or
employees from all liabilities arising wholly, partially or directly from our
temporary assignment/engagement with the Company.
2. x x x acknowledge the temporary nature of
[their] assignment/engagement with the Company and the absence of an
employer-employee relationship between [them] and the Company, and [they]
further acknowledge that [they] have no intention whatsoever of being
reinstated to [their] previous assignment at the Company.
3. x x x also manifest that the payment by the
Company of any or all of the foregoing sum of money shall not be taken by
[them, their] heirs or assigns as a confession and/or admission of liability on
the part of the Company, as well as its successors-in-interest, stockholders,
officers, directors, agents or employees for any matter, cause, demand or claim
that [they] may have against any or all of them. [They] acknowledge that [they] have received
all amounts that are now, or in the future, may be due [them] from the Company. [They] also acknowledge that during the
entire period of [their] temporary assignment/engagement with the Company,
[they] received and were paid all compensations, benefits and privileges to
which [they] were entitled under the law, and if [they] are hereinafter be
found in any manner to have been entitled to any amount, the above
consideration is a full and complete satisfaction of any and all such
undisclosed claims.
4. x x x warrant that [they] will institute no
action and will not continue to prosecute any pending action, against the
Company, as well as its successors-in-interest, stockholders, officers,
directors, agents or employees, by reason of [their] temporary
assignment/engagement with the Company, including the case docketed as G.R. No.
190381 pending before the Supreme Court.
5. x x x finally declare that [they] have read
and fully understand this document, and the release, waiver and quitclaim
hereby given is made willingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge of
[their] rights under the law.[7]
The Joint Release, Waiver
and Quitclaim was signed individually by respondents and their counsel of
record.
Under the Civil Code of the
Finding the Compromise Agreement dated June 16, 2010
between petitioner and respondents to be validly executed, not being contrary
to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy, we, therefore, accept
and affirm the same.
WHEREFORE, the
Manifestation and Motion of respondents Rodrigo Mercado, et al. is GRANTED.
The Compromise Agreement dated June 16, 2010 between petitioner
Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. and respondents Rodrigo Mercado, et al. is
AFFIRMED, and judgment is rendered
accordingly. The instant controversy is DISMISSED. No costs.
SO ORDERED.
ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson
WE CONCUR:
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice
|
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA Associate
Justice |
JOSE CATRAL Associate
Justice |
MARIA
Associate
Justice
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Resolution had
been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the
opinion of the Court’s Division.
ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA
Associate
Justice
Acting Chairperson,
Second Division
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution
and the Division Acting Chairperson's Attestation, I certify that the conclusions
in the above Resolution had been reached in consultation before the case was
assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
RENATO
C. CORONA
Chief
Justice
*
Also referred to as Nicolas
Luquias in the Compromise Agreement and in the Joint Release, Waiver and
Quitclaim.
**
Also referred to as Romer
Singian in the Compromise Agreement and in the Joint Release, Waiver and
Quitclaim.
***
Also referred to as Almerante Goral in the
Compromise Agreement and in the Joint Release, Waiver and Quitclaim.
****
Additional member in lieu of
Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio per Special Order No. 897 dated September
28, 2010.
*****
In lieu of Associate Justice
Antonio T. Carpio per Special Order No. 898 dated September 28, 2010.
****** Additional member in lieu of Associate
Justice Roberto A. Abad per Special Order No. 903 dated September 28, 2010.
[1] Rollo, pp. 616-618.
[2]
[3]
[4] Entitled, “IBM Local I, Rodrigo Mercado, et al. v. Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., R.S. Cunanan General Services and Romac Services and Trading Corporation.”
[5] Rollo, pp. 621-624.
[6]
[7]
[8] Article 1306.
[9] Calingin v. Civil Service Commission, G.R. No. 183322, October 30, 2009, 604 SCRA 818, 824; Valdez v. Financiera Manila, Inc., G.R. No. 183387, September 29, 2009, 601 SCRA 291, 310-311; California Manufacturing Company, Inc. v. City of Las Piñas, The, G.R. No. 178461, June 22, 2009, 590 SCRA 453, 457.
[10] California
Manufacturing Company, Inc. v. City of