G.R. No.

170087 August 31, 2006

ANGELINA FRANCISCO, Petitioner,
s.
NA!IONAL LA"OR RELA!IONS CO##ISSION, $ASEI CORPORA!ION, SEIIC%IRO
!A$A%AS%I, !I#O!EO ACE&O, &ELFIN LI'A, IRENE "ALLES!EROS, !RINI&A& LI'A (n)
RA#ON ESC*E!A, Res+on)ents.
& E C I S I O N
,NARES-SAN!IAGO, ../
!0is +etition 1or reie2 on 3ertior(ri un)er Ru4e 56 o1 t0e Ru4es o1 Court see7s to (nnu4 (n) set (si)e
t0e &e3ision (n) Reso4ution o1 t0e Court o1 A++e(4s )(te) O3to8er 29, 2005 1 (n) O3to8er 7, 2006, 2
res+e3tie4:, in CA-G.R. SP No. 78616 )is;issing t0e 3o;+4(int 1or 3onstru3tie )is;iss(4 1i4e) 8:
0erein +etitioner Ange4in( Fr(n3is3o. !0e (++e44(te 3ourt reerse) (n) set (si)e t0e &e3ision o1 t0e
N(tion(4 L(8or Re4(tions Co;;ission <NLRC= )(te) A+ri4 16, 2003, 3 in NLRC NCR CA No.
032766-02 20i30 (11ir;e) 2it0 ;o)i1i3(tion t0e )e3ision o1 t0e L(8or Ar8iter )(te) .u4: 31, 2002, 5 in
NLRC-NCR C(se No. 30-10-0-589-01, 1in)ing t0(t +ri(te res+on)ents 2ere 4i(84e 1or 3onstru3tie
)is;iss(4.
In 1996, +etitioner 2(s 0ire) 8: $(sei Cor+or(tion )uring its in3or+or(tion st(ge. S0e 2(s )esign(te)
(s A33ount(nt (n) Cor+or(te Se3ret(r: (n) 2(s (ssigne) to 0(n)4e (44 t0e (33ounting nee)s o1 t0e
3o;+(n:. S0e 2(s (4so )esign(te) (s Li(ison O11i3er to t0e Cit: o1 #(7(ti to se3ure 8usiness +er;its,
3onstru3tion +er;its (n) ot0er 4i3enses 1or t0e initi(4 o+er(tion o1 t0e 3o;+(n:. 6
A4t0oug0 s0e 2(s )esign(te) (s Cor+or(te Se3ret(r:, s0e 2(s not entruste) 2it0 t0e 3or+or(te
)o3u;ents> neit0er )i) s0e (tten) (n: 8o(r) ;eeting nor re?uire) to )o so. S0e neer +re+(re) (n:
4eg(4 )o3u;ent (n) neer re+resente) t0e 3o;+(n: (s its Cor+or(te Se3ret(r:. %o2eer, on so;e
o33(sions, s0e 2(s +re(i4e) u+on to sign )o3u;ent(tion 1or t0e 3o;+(n:. 6
In 1996, +etitioner 2(s )esign(te) A3ting #(n(ger. !0e 3or+or(tion (4so 0ire) Gerr: Nino (s
(33ount(nt in 4ieu o1 +etitioner. As A3ting #(n(ger, +etitioner 2(s (ssigne) to 0(n)4e re3ruit;ent o1 (44
e;+4o:ees (n) +er1or; ;(n(ge;ent ();inistr(tion 1un3tions> re+resent t0e 3o;+(n: in (44 )e(4ings
2it0 goern;ent (gen3ies, es+e3i(44: 2it0 t0e "ure(u o1 Intern(4 Reenue <"IR=, So3i(4 Se3urit:
S:ste; <SSS= (n) in t0e 3it: goern;ent o1 #(7(ti> (n) to ();inister (44 ot0er ;(tters +ert(ining to
t0e o+er(tion o1 $(sei Rest(ur(nt 20i30 is o2ne) (n) o+er(te) 8: $(sei Cor+or(tion. 7
For 1ie :e(rs, +etitioner +er1or;e) t0e )uties o1 A3ting #(n(ger. As o1 &e3e;8er 31, 2000 0er s(4(r:
2(s P27,600.00 +4us P3,000.00 0ousing (44o2(n3e (n) ( 10@ s0(re in t0e +ro1it o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion.
8
In .(nu(r: 2001, +etitioner 2(s re+4(3e) 8: LiA( R. Fuentes (s #(n(ger. Petitioner (44ege) t0(t s0e 2(s
re?uire) to sign ( +re+(re) reso4ution 1or 0er re+4(3e;ent 8ut s0e 2(s (ssure) t0(t s0e 2ou4) sti44 8e
3onne3te) 2it0 $(sei Cor+or(tion. !i;oteo A3e)o, t0e )esign(te) !re(surer, 3onene) ( ;eeting o1 (44
e;+4o:ees o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion (n) (nnoun3e) t0(t not0ing 0() 30(nge) (n) t0(t +etitioner 2(s sti44
3onne3te) 2it0 $(sei Cor+or(tion (s !e30ni3(4 Assist(nt to SeiBi $(;ur( (n) in 30(rge o1 (44 "IR
;(tters. 9
!0ere(1ter, $(sei Cor+or(tion re)u3e) 0er s(4(r: 8: P2,600.00 ( ;ont0 8eginning .(nu(r: u+ to
Se+te;8er 2001 1or ( tot(4 re)u3tion o1 P22,600.00 (s o1 Se+te;8er 2001. Petitioner 2(s not +(i) 0er
;i)-:e(r 8onus (44ege)4: 8e3(use t0e 3o;+(n: 2(s not e(rning 2e44. On O3to8er 2001, +etitioner )i)
not re3eie 0er s(4(r: 1ro; t0e 3o;+(n:. S0e ;()e re+e(te) 1o44o2-u+s 2it0 t0e 3o;+(n: 3(s0ier 8ut
s0e 2(s ()ise) t0(t t0e 3o;+(n: 2(s not e(rning 2e44. 10
On O3to8er 16, 2001, +etitioner (s7e) 1or 0er s(4(r: 1ro; A3e)o (n) t0e rest o1 t0e o11i3ers 8ut s0e 2(s
in1or;e) t0(t s0e is no 4onger 3onne3te) 2it0 t0e 3o;+(n:. 11
Sin3e s0e 2(s no 4onger +(i) 0er s(4(r:, +etitioner )i) not re+ort 1or 2or7 (n) 1i4e) (n (3tion 1or
3onstru3tie )is;iss(4 8e1ore t0e 4(8or (r8iter.
Pri(te res+on)ents (erre) t0(t +etitioner is not (n e;+4o:ee o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion. !0e: (44ege) t0(t
+etitioner 2(s 0ire) in 1996 (s one o1 its te30ni3(4 3onsu4t(nts on (33ounting ;(tters (n) (3t
3on3urrent4: (s Cor+or(te Se3ret(r:. As te30ni3(4 3onsu4t(nt, +etitioner +er1or;e) 0er 2or7 (t 0er o2n
)is3retion 2it0out 3ontro4 (n) su+erision o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion. Petitioner 0() no )(i4: ti;e re3or)
(n) s0e 3(;e to t0e o11i3e (n: ti;e s0e 2(nte). !0e 3o;+(n: neer inter1ere) 2it0 0er 2or7 eC3e+t
t0(t 1ro; ti;e to ti;e, t0e ;(n(ge;ent 2ou4) (s7 0er o+inion on ;(tters re4(ting to 0er +ro1ession.
Petitioner )i) not go t0roug0 t0e usu(4 +ro3e)ure o1 se4e3tion o1 e;+4o:ees, 8ut 0er seri3es 2ere
eng(ge) t0roug0 ( "o(r) Reso4ution )esign(ting 0er (s te30ni3(4 3onsu4t(nt. !0e ;one: re3eie) 8:
+etitioner 1ro; t0e 3or+or(tion 2(s 0er +ro1ession(4 1ee su8Be3t to t0e 10@ eC+(n)e) 2it00o4)ing t(C
on +ro1ession(4s, (n) t0(t s0e 2(s not one o1 t0ose re+orte) to t0e "IR or SSS (s one o1 t0e 3o;+(n:Ds
e;+4o:ees. 12
PetitionerDs )esign(tion (s te30ni3(4 3onsu4t(nt )e+en)e) so4e4: u+on t0e 2i44 o1 ;(n(ge;ent. As su30,
0er 3onsu4t(n3: ;(: 8e ter;in(te) (n: ti;e 3onsi)ering t0(t 0er seri3es 2ere on4: te;+or(r: in
n(ture (n) )e+en)ent on t0e nee)s o1 t0e 3or+or(tion.
!o +roe t0(t +etitioner 2(s not (n e;+4o:ee o1 t0e 3or+or(tion, +ri(te res+on)ents su8;itte) ( 4ist o1
e;+4o:ees 1or t0e :e(rs 1999 (n) 2000 )u4: re3eie) 8: t0e "IR s0o2ing t0(t +etitioner 2(s not
(;ong t0e e;+4o:ees re+orte) to t0e "IR, (s 2e44 (s ( 4ist o1 +(:ees su8Be3t to eC+(n)e) 2it00o4)ing
t(C 20i30 in34u)e) +etitioner. SSS re3or)s 2ere (4so su8;itte) s0o2ing t0(t +etitionerDs 4(test
e;+4o:er 2(s SeiBi Cor+or(tion. 13
!0e L(8or Ar8iter 1oun) t0(t +etitioner 2(s i44eg(44: )is;isse), t0us/
E%EREFORE, +re;ises 3onsi)ere), Bu)g;ent is 0ere8: ren)ere) (s 1o44o2s/
1. 1in)ing 3o;+4(in(nt (n e;+4o:ee o1 res+on)ent 3or+or(tion>
2. )e34(ring 3o;+4(in(ntDs )is;iss(4 (s i44eg(4>
3. or)ering res+on)ents to reinst(te 3o;+4(in(nt to 0er 1or;er +osition 2it0out 4oss o1 seniorit: rig0ts
(n) Boint4: (n) seer(44: +(: 3o;+4(in(nt 0er ;one: 34(i;s in (33or)(n3e 2it0 t0e 1o44o2ing
3o;+ut(tion/
(. "(372(ges 10F2001 G 07F2002 276,000.00
<27,600 C 10 ;os.=
8. S(4(r: &i11erenti(4s <01F2001 G 09F2001= 22,600.00
3. %ousing A44o2(n3e <01F2001 G 07F2002= 67,000.00
). #i):e(r "onus 2001 27,600.00
e. 13t0 #ont0 P(: 27,600.00
1. 10@ s0(re in t0e +ro1its o1 $(sei
Cor+. 1ro; 1996-2001 361,176.00
g. #or(4 (n) eCe;+4(r: )(;(ges 100,000.00
0. 10@ Attorne:Ds 1ees 87,076.60
P967,752.60
I1 reinst(te;ent is no 4onger 1e(si84e, res+on)ents (re or)ere) to +(: 3o;+4(in(nt se+(r(tion +(: 2it0
())ition(4 8(372(ges t0(t 2ou4) (33rue u+ to (3tu(4 +(:;ent o1 se+(r(tion +(:.
SO OR&ERE&. 15
On A+ri4 16, 2003, t0e NLRC (11ir;e) 2it0 ;o)i1i3(tion t0e &e3ision o1 t0e L(8or Ar8iter, t0e
)is+ositie +ortion o1 20i30 re()s/
PRE#ISES CONSI&ERE&, t0e &e3ision o1 .u4: 31, 2002 is 0ere8: #O&IFIE& (s 1o44o2s/
1= Res+on)ents (re )ire3te) to +(: 3o;+4(in(nt se+(r(tion +(: 3o;+ute) (t one ;ont0 +er :e(r o1
seri3e in ())ition to 1u44 8(372(ges 1ro; O3to8er 2001 to .u4: 31, 2002>
2= !0e (2(r)s re+resenting ;or(4 (n) eCe;+4(r: )(;(ges (n) 10@ s0(re in +ro1it in t0e res+e3tie
(33ounts o1 P100,000.00 (n) P361,176.00 (re )e4ete)>
3= !0e (2(r) o1 10@ (ttorne:Ds 1ees s0(44 8e 8(se) on s(4(r: )i11erenti(4 (2(r) on4:>
5= !0e (2(r)s re+resenting s(4(r: )i11erenti(4s, 0ousing (44o2(n3e, ;i) :e(r 8onus (n) 13t0 ;ont0 +(:
(re AFFIR#E&.
SO OR&ERE&. 16
On (++e(4, t0e Court o1 A++e(4s reerse) t0e NLRC )e3ision, t0us/
E%EREFORE, t0e inst(nt +etition is 0ere8: GRAN!E&. !0e )e3ision o1 t0e N(tion(4 L(8or Re4(tions
Co;;issions )(te) A+ri4 16, 2003 is 0ere8: REHERSE& (n) SE! ASI&E (n) ( ne2 one is 0ere8:
ren)ere) )is;issing t0e 3o;+4(int 1i4e) 8: +ri(te res+on)ent (g(inst $(sei Cor+or(tion, et (4. 1or
3onstru3tie )is;iss(4.
SO OR&ERE&. 16
!0e (++e44(te 3ourt )enie) +etitionerDs ;otion 1or re3onsi)er(tion, 0en3e, t0e +resent re3ourse.
!0e 3ore issues to 8e reso4e) in t0is 3(se (re <1= 20et0er t0ere 2(s (n e;+4o:er-e;+4o:ee re4(tions0i+
8et2een +etitioner (n) +ri(te res+on)ent $(sei Cor+or(tion> (n) i1 in t0e (11ir;(tie, <2= 20et0er
+etitioner 2(s i44eg(44: )is;isse).
Consi)ering t0e 3on14i3ting 1in)ings 8: t0e L(8or Ar8iter (n) t0e N(tion(4 L(8or Re4(tions
Co;;ission on one 0(n), (n) t0e Court o1 A++e(4s on t0e ot0er, t0ere is ( nee) to reeC(;ine t0e
re3or)s to )eter;ine 20i30 o1 t0e +ro+ositions es+ouse) 8: t0e 3onten)ing +(rties is su++orte) 8:
su8st(nti(4 ei)en3e. 17
Ee 0e4) in Sei44( . Court o1 A++e(4s 18 t0(t in t0is Buris)i3tion, t0ere 0(s 8een no uni1or; test to
)eter;ine t0e eCisten3e o1 (n e;+4o:er-e;+4o:ee re4(tion. Gener(44:, 3ourts 0(e re4ie) on t0e so-
3(44e) rig0t o1 3ontro4 test 20ere t0e +erson 1or 20o; t0e seri3es (re +er1or;e) reseres ( rig0t to
3ontro4 not on4: t0e en) to 8e (30iee) 8ut (4so t0e ;e(ns to 8e use) in re(30ing su30 en). In ())ition
to t0e st(n)(r) o1 rig0t-o1-3ontro4, t0e eCisting e3ono;i3 3on)itions +re(i4ing 8et2een t0e +(rties, 4i7e
t0e in34usion o1 t0e e;+4o:ee in t0e +(:ro44s, 3(n 0e4+ in )eter;ining t0e eCisten3e o1 (n e;+4o:er-
e;+4o:ee re4(tions0i+.
%o2eer, in 3ert(in 3(ses t0e 3ontro4 test is not su11i3ient to gie ( 3o;+4ete +i3ture o1 t0e re4(tions0i+
8et2een t0e +(rties, o2ing to t0e 3o;+4eCit: o1 su30 ( re4(tions0i+ 20ere seer(4 +ositions 0(e 8een
0e4) 8: t0e 2or7er. !0ere (re inst(n3es 20en, (si)e 1ro; t0e e;+4o:erDs +o2er to 3ontro4 t0e e;+4o:ee
2it0 res+e3t to t0e ;e(ns (n) ;et0o)s 8: 20i30 t0e 2or7 is to 8e (33o;+4is0e), e3ono;i3 re(4ities o1
t0e e;+4o:;ent re4(tions 0e4+ +roi)e ( 3o;+re0ensie (n(4:sis o1 t0e true 34(ssi1i3(tion o1 t0e
in)ii)u(4, 20et0er (s e;+4o:ee, in)e+en)ent 3ontr(3tor, 3or+or(te o11i3er or so;e ot0er 3(+(3it:.
!0e 8etter (++ro(30 2ou4) t0ere1ore 8e to ()o+t ( t2o-tiere) test ino4ing/ <1= t0e +ut(tie e;+4o:erDs
+o2er to 3ontro4 t0e e;+4o:ee 2it0 res+e3t to t0e ;e(ns (n) ;et0o)s 8: 20i30 t0e 2or7 is to 8e
(33o;+4is0e)> (n) <2= t0e un)er4:ing e3ono;i3 re(4ities o1 t0e (3tiit: or re4(tions0i+.
!0is t2o-tiere) test 2ou4) +roi)e us 2it0 ( 1r(;e2or7 o1 (n(4:sis, 20i30 2ou4) t(7e into
3onsi)er(tion t0e tot(4it: o1 3ir3u;st(n3es surroun)ing t0e true n(ture o1 t0e re4(tions0i+ 8et2een t0e
+(rties. !0is is es+e3i(44: (++ro+ri(te in t0is 3(se 20ere t0ere is no 2ritten (gree;ent or ter;s o1
re1eren3e to 8(se t0e re4(tions0i+ on> (n) )ue to t0e 3o;+4eCit: o1 t0e re4(tions0i+ 8(se) on t0e (rious
+ositions (n) res+onsi8i4ities gien to t0e 2or7er oer t0e +erio) o1 t0e 4(tterDs e;+4o:;ent.
!0e 3ontro4 test initi(44: 1oun) (++4i3(tion in t0e 3(se o1 Hi(I( . A4-L(g()(n (n) Pig(, 19 (n) 4(te4: in
Leon(r)o . Court o1 A++e(4s, 20 20ere 2e 0e4) t0(t t0ere is (n e;+4o:er-e;+4o:ee re4(tions0i+ 20en
t0e +erson 1or 20o; t0e seri3es (re +er1or;e) reseres t0e rig0t to 3ontro4 not on4: t0e en) (30iee)
8ut (4so t0e ;(nner (n) ;e(ns use) to (30iee t0(t en).
In Sei44( . Court o1 A++e(4s, 21 2e o8sere) t0e nee) to 3onsi)er t0e eCisting e3ono;i3 3on)itions
+re(i4ing 8et2een t0e +(rties, in ())ition to t0e st(n)(r) o1 rig0t-o1-3ontro4 4i7e t0e in34usion o1 t0e
e;+4o:ee in t0e +(:ro44s, to gie ( 34e(rer +i3ture in )eter;ining t0e eCisten3e o1 (n e;+4o:er-
e;+4o:ee re4(tions0i+ 8(se) on (n (n(4:sis o1 t0e tot(4it: o1 e3ono;i3 3ir3u;st(n3es o1 t0e 2or7er.
!0us, t0e )eter;in(tion o1 t0e re4(tions0i+ 8et2een e;+4o:er (n) e;+4o:ee )e+en)s u+on t0e
3ir3u;st(n3es o1 t0e 20o4e e3ono;i3 (3tiit:, 22 su30 (s/ <1= t0e eCtent to 20i30 t0e seri3es
+er1or;e) (re (n integr(4 +(rt o1 t0e e;+4o:erDs 8usiness> <2= t0e eCtent o1 t0e 2or7erDs inest;ent in
e?ui+;ent (n) 1(3i4ities> <3= t0e n(ture (n) )egree o1 3ontro4 eCer3ise) 8: t0e e;+4o:er> <5= t0e
2or7erDs o++ortunit: 1or +ro1it (n) 4oss> <6= t0e (;ount o1 initi(tie, s7i44, Bu)g;ent or 1oresig0t
re?uire) 1or t0e su33ess o1 t0e 34(i;e) in)e+en)ent enter+rise> <6= t0e +er;(nen3: (n) )ur(tion o1 t0e
re4(tions0i+ 8et2een t0e 2or7er (n) t0e e;+4o:er> (n) <7= t0e )egree o1 )e+en)en3: o1 t0e 2or7er
u+on t0e e;+4o:er 1or 0is 3ontinue) e;+4o:;ent in t0(t 4ine o1 8usiness. 23
!0e +ro+er st(n)(r) o1 e3ono;i3 )e+en)en3e is 20et0er t0e 2or7er is )e+en)ent on t0e (44ege)
e;+4o:er 1or 0is 3ontinue) e;+4o:;ent in t0(t 4ine o1 8usiness. 25 In t0e *nite) St(tes, t0e tou30stone
o1 e3ono;i3 re(4it: in (n(4:Aing +ossi84e e;+4o:;ent re4(tions0i+s 1or +ur+oses o1 t0e Fe)er(4 L(8or
St(n)(r)s A3t is )e+en)en3:. 26 ": (n(4og:, t0e 8en30;(r7 o1 e3ono;i3 re(4it: in (n(4:Aing +ossi84e
e;+4o:;ent re4(tions0i+s 1or +ur+oses o1 t0e L(8or Co)e oug0t to 8e t0e e3ono;i3 )e+en)en3e o1 t0e
2or7er on 0is e;+4o:er.
": (++4:ing t0e 3ontro4 test, t0ere is no )ou8t t0(t +etitioner is (n e;+4o:ee o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion
8e3(use s0e 2(s un)er t0e )ire3t 3ontro4 (n) su+erision o1 SeiBi $(;ur(, t0e 3or+or(tionDs !e30ni3(4
Consu4t(nt. S0e re+orte) 1or 2or7 regu4(r4: (n) sere) in (rious 3(+(3ities (s A33ount(nt, Li(ison
O11i3er, !e30ni3(4 Consu4t(nt, A3ting #(n(ger (n) Cor+or(te Se3ret(r:, 2it0 su8st(nti(44: t0e s(;e Bo8
1un3tions, t0(t is, ren)ering (33ounting (n) t(C seri3es to t0e 3o;+(n: (n) +er1or;ing 1un3tions
ne3ess(r: (n) )esir(84e 1or t0e +ro+er o+er(tion o1 t0e 3or+or(tion su30 (s se3uring 8usiness +er;its
(n) ot0er 4i3enses oer (n in)e1inite +erio) o1 eng(ge;ent.
*n)er t0e 8ro()er e3ono;i3 re(4it: test, t0e +etitioner 3(n 4i7e2ise 8e s(i) to 8e (n e;+4o:ee o1
res+on)ent 3or+or(tion 8e3(use s0e 0() sere) t0e 3o;+(n: 1or siC :e(rs 8e1ore 0er )is;iss(4,
re3eiing 30e37 ou30ers in)i3(ting 0er s(4(riesF2(ges, 8ene1its, 13t0 ;ont0 +(:, 8onuses (n)
(44o2(n3es, (s 2e44 (s )e)u3tions (n) So3i(4 Se3urit: 3ontri8utions 1ro; August 1, 1999 to &e3e;8er
18, 2000. 26 E0en +etitioner 2(s )esign(te) Gener(4 #(n(ger, res+on)ent 3or+or(tion ;()e ( re+ort
to t0e SSS signe) 8: Irene "(44esteros. PetitionerDs ;e;8ers0i+ in t0e SSS (s ;(ni1este) 8: ( 3o+: o1
t0e SSS s+e3i;en sign(ture 3(r) 20i30 2(s signe) 8: t0e Presi)ent o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion (n) t0e
in34usion o1 0er n(;e in t0e on-4ine in?uir: s:ste; o1 t0e SSS ein3es t0e eCisten3e o1 (n e;+4o:er-
e;+4o:ee re4(tions0i+ 8et2een +etitioner (n) res+on)ent 3or+or(tion. 27
It is t0ere1ore (++(rent t0(t +etitioner is e3ono;i3(44: )e+en)ent on res+on)ent 3or+or(tion 1or 0er
3ontinue) e;+4o:;ent in t0e 4(tterDs 4ine o1 8usiness.
In &o;(sig . N(tion(4 L(8or Re4(tions Co;;ission, 28 2e 0e4) t0(t in ( 8usiness est(84is0;ent, (n
i)enti1i3(tion 3(r) is +roi)e) not on4: (s ( se3urit: ;e(sure 8ut ;(in4: to i)enti1: t0e 0o4)er t0ereo1
(s ( 8on( 1i)e e;+4o:ee o1 t0e 1ir; t0(t issues it. !oget0er 2it0 t0e 3(s0 ou30ers 3oering +etitionerDs
s(4(ries 1or t0e ;ont0s st(te) t0erein, t0ese ;(tters 3onstitute su8st(nti(4 ei)en3e ()e?u(te to su++ort
( 3on34usion t0(t +etitioner 2(s (n e;+4o:ee o1 +ri(te res+on)ent.
Ee 4i7e2ise ru4e) in F4ores . Nuestro 29 t0(t ( 3or+or(tion 20o registers its 2or7ers 2it0 t0e SSS is
+roo1 t0(t t0e 4(tter 2ere t0e 1or;erDs e;+4o:ees. !0e 3oer(ge o1 So3i(4 Se3urit: L(2 is +re)i3(te) on
t0e eCisten3e o1 (n e;+4o:er-e;+4o:ee re4(tions0i+.
Furt0er;ore, t0e (11i)(it o1 SeiBi $(;ur( )(te) &e3e;8er 6, 2001 0(s 34e(r4: est(84is0e) t0(t
+etitioner neer (3te) (s Cor+or(te Se3ret(r: (n) t0(t 0er )esign(tion (s su30 2(s on4: 1or
3onenien3e. !0e (3tu(4 n(ture o1 +etitionerDs Bo8 2(s (s $(;ur(Ds )ire3t (ssist(nt 2it0 t0e )ut: o1
(3ting (s Li(ison O11i3er in re+resenting t0e 3o;+(n: to se3ure 3onstru3tion +er;its, 4i3ense to o+er(te
(n) ot0er re?uire;ents i;+ose) 8: goern;ent (gen3ies. Petitioner 2(s neer entruste) 2it0 3or+or(te
)o3u;ents o1 t0e 3o;+(n:, nor re?uire) to (tten) t0e ;eeting o1 t0e 3or+or(tion. S0e 2(s neer +ri:
to t0e +re+(r(tion o1 (n: )o3u;ent 1or t0e 3or+or(tion, (4t0oug0 on3e in ( 20i4e s0e 2(s re?uire) to
sign +re+(re) )o3u;ent(tion 1or t0e 3o;+(n:. 30
!0e se3on) (11i)(it o1 $(;ur( )(te) #(r30 7, 2002 20i30 re+u)i(te) t0e &e3e;8er 6, 2001 (11i)(it
0(s 8een (44ege)4: 2it0)r(2n 8: $(;ur( 0i;se41 1ro; t0e re3or)s o1 t0e 3(se. 31 Reg(r)4ess o1 t0is
1(3t, 2e (re 3onin3e) t0(t t0e (44eg(tions in t0e 1irst (11i)(it (re su11i3ient to est(84is0 t0(t +etitioner
is (n e;+4o:ee o1 $(sei Cor+or(tion.
Gr(nting (rguen)o, t0(t t0e se3on) (11i)(it (4i)4: re+u)i(te) t0e 1irst one, 3ourts )o not gener(44:
4oo7 2it0 1(or on (n: retr(3tion or re3(nte) testi;on:, 1or it 3ou4) 0(e 8een se3ure) 8:
3onsi)er(tions ot0er t0(n to te44 t0e trut0 (n) 2ou4) ;(7e so4e;n tri(4s ( ;o37er: (n) +4(3e t0e
inestig(tion o1 t0e trut0 (t t0e ;er3: o1 uns3ru+u4ous 2itnesses. 32 A re3(nt(tion )oes not ne3ess(ri4:
3(n3e4 (n e(r4ier )e34(r(tion, 8ut 4i7e (n: ot0er testi;on: t0e s(;e is su8Be3t to t0e test o1 3re)i8i4it:
(n) s0ou4) 8e re3eie) 2it0 3(ution. 33
"(se) on t0e 1oregoing, t0ere 3(n 8e no ot0er 3on34usion t0(t +etitioner is (n e;+4o:ee o1 res+on)ent
$(sei Cor+or(tion. S0e 2(s se4e3te) (n) eng(ge) 8: t0e 3o;+(n: 1or 3o;+ens(tion, (n) is
e3ono;i3(44: )e+en)ent u+on res+on)ent 1or 0er 3ontinue) e;+4o:;ent in t0(t 4ine o1 8usiness. %er
;(in Bo8 1un3tion ino4e) (33ounting (n) t(C seri3es ren)ere) to res+on)ent 3or+or(tion on ( regu4(r
8(sis oer (n in)e1inite +erio) o1 eng(ge;ent. Res+on)ent 3or+or(tion 0ire) (n) eng(ge) +etitioner 1or
3o;+ens(tion, 2it0 t0e +o2er to )is;iss 0er 1or 3(use. #ore i;+ort(nt4:, res+on)ent 3or+or(tion 0()
t0e +o2er to 3ontro4 +etitioner 2it0 t0e ;e(ns (n) ;et0o)s 8: 20i30 t0e 2or7 is to 8e (33o;+4is0e).
!0e 3or+or(tion 3onstru3tie4: )is;isse) +etitioner 20en it re)u3e) 0er s(4(r: 8: P2,600 ( ;ont0 1ro;
.(nu(r: to Se+te;8er 2001. !0is (;ounts to (n i44eg(4 ter;in(tion o1 e;+4o:;ent, 20ere t0e +etitioner
is entit4e) to 1u44 8(372(ges. Sin3e t0e +osition o1 +etitioner (s (33ount(nt is one o1 trust (n)
3on1i)en3e, (n) un)er t0e +rin3i+4e o1 str(ine) re4(tions, +etitioner is 1urt0er entit4e) to se+(r(tion +(:,
in 4ieu o1 reinst(te;ent. 35
A )i;inution o1 +(: is +reBu)i3i(4 to t0e e;+4o:ee (n) (;ounts to 3onstru3tie )is;iss(4. Constru3tie
)is;iss(4 is (n ino4unt(r: resign(tion resu4ting in 3ess(tion o1 2or7 resorte) to 20en 3ontinue)
e;+4o:;ent 8e3o;es i;+ossi84e, unre(son(84e or un4i7e4:> 20en t0ere is ( )e;otion in r(n7 or (
)i;inution in +(:> or 20en ( 34e(r )is3ri;in(tion, insensi8i4it: or )is)(in 8: (n e;+4o:er 8e3o;es
un8e(r(84e to (n e;+4o:ee. 36 In G4o8e !e4e3o;, In3. . F4oren)o-F4ores, 36 2e ru4e) t0(t 20ere (n
e;+4o:ee 3e(ses to 2or7 )ue to ( )e;otion o1 r(n7 or ( )i;inution o1 +(:, (n unre(son(84e situ(tion
(rises 20i30 3re(tes (n ()erse 2or7ing eniron;ent ren)ering it i;+ossi84e 1or su30 e;+4o:ee to
3ontinue 2or7ing 1or 0er e;+4o:er. %en3e, 0er seer(n3e 1ro; t0e 3o;+(n: 2(s not o1 0er o2n
;(7ing (n) t0ere1ore (;ounte) to (n i44eg(4 ter;in(tion o1 e;+4o:;ent.
In (11or)ing 1u44 +rote3tion to 4(8or, t0is Court ;ust ensure e?u(4 2or7 o++ortunities reg(r)4ess o1 seC,
r(3e or 3ree). Een (s 2e, in eer: 3(se, (tte;+t to 3(re1u44: 8(4(n3e t0e 1r(gi4e re4(tions0i+ 8et2een
e;+4o:ees (n) e;+4o:ers, 2e (re ;in)1u4 o1 t0e 1(3t t0(t t0e +o4i3: o1 t0e 4(2 is to (++4: t0e L(8or
Co)e to ( gre(ter nu;8er o1 e;+4o:ees. !0is 2ou4) en(84e e;+4o:ees to ((i4 o1 t0e 8ene1its (33or)e)
to t0e; 8: 4(2, in 4ine 2it0 t0e 3onstitution(4 ;(n)(te giing ;(Ci;u; (i) (n) +rote3tion to 4(8or,
+ro;oting t0eir 2e41(re (n) re(11ir;ing it (s ( +ri;(r: so3i(4 e3ono;i3 1or3e in 1urt0er(n3e o1 so3i(4
Busti3e (n) n(tion(4 )ee4o+;ent.
E%EREFORE, t0e +etition is GRAN!E&. !0e &e3ision (n) Reso4ution o1 t0e Court o1 A++e(4s )(te)
O3to8er 29, 2005 (n) O3to8er 7, 2006, res+e3tie4:, in CA-G.R. SP No. 78616 (re ANN*LLE& (n)
SE! ASI&E. !0e &e3ision o1 t0e N(tion(4 L(8or Re4(tions Co;;ission )(te) A+ri4 16, 2003 in NLRC
NCR CA No. 032766-02, is REINS!A!E&. !0e 3(se is RE#AN&E& to t0e L(8or Ar8iter 1or t0e
re3o;+ut(tion o1 +etitioner Ange4in( Fr(n3is3oDs 1u44 8(372(ges 1ro; t0e ti;e s0e 2(s i44eg(44:
ter;in(te) unti4 t0e )(te o1 1in(4it: o1 t0is )e3ision, (n) se+(r(tion +(: re+resenting one-0(41 ;ont0
+(: 1or eer: :e(r o1 seri3e, 20ere ( 1r(3tion o1 (t 4e(st siC ;ont0s s0(44 8e 3onsi)ere) (s one 20o4e
:e(r.