JANUARY 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)

Case Title Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the Supreme
Court
Cristina Barsolo vs. G.R. No. 187950 January 11, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Entitlement of Cristina to
Social Security System compensation for the death of her
husband Manuel.

Petition denied.

Jebsens Maritime, Inc., G.R. No. 218871 January 11, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA correctly
et al. Vs. Florving G. held that respondent is entitled to
Rapiz permanent and total disability
benefits.

Petition granted.

Turks Shawarma G.R. No. 207156 January 16, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not CA erred in affirming
Company/Gem the NLRC’s dismissal of their appeal
Zeñarosa Vs. Feliciano for the following reasons: first,
Z. Pajaron and Larry A. there was substantial compliance
Carbonilla with the Rules on perfection of
appeal; second, the surrounding
facts and circumstances constitute
meritorious grounds to reduce the
appeal bond; third, they exhibited
willingness and good faith by posting
a partial bond during the
reglementary period; and lastly, a
liberal interpretation of the
requirement of an appeal bond
would serve the desired objective of

Page 1 of 51
 resolving controversies on the
merits. Petitioners claim that there
is a necessity to resolve the merits
of their appeal since the Labor
Arbiter’s Decision declaring Pajaron
and Carbonilla illegally terminated
from employment was not based on
substantial evidence.

Petition denied.

Chateu Royale Sports G.R. No. 197492 January 18, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA erred in
and Country Club, Inc. concluding that the shortage of
Vs. Rachelle G. Balba personnel in Manila office is a mere
and Marinel N. subterfuge rather than an exigency
Constante in the business thereby treating the
transfer of respondents as
unreasonable and whether or not
the CA erred in concluding that the
intended transfer of the respondents
from Nasugbu, Batangas to Manila
office constitutes constructive
dismissal.

Petition granted.

Status Maritime G.R. No. 198968 January 18, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether Doctolero was entitled to
Corporation and claim permanent and total disability
Admibros benefits from the petitioners.
Shipmanagement Co.,
Ltd. Vs. Rodrigo C. Petition granted.
Doctolero

Page 2 of 51
Rutcher T. Dagasdas Vs. G.R. No. 205727 January 18, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not Dagasdas was validly
Grand Placement and dismissed from work.
General Services
Corporation Petition granted.

Maersk Filipinas Crewing G.R. No. 184256 January 18, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether counsel of respondent was
Inc. & Maersk Co. IOM authorized to represent the latter
LTD. vs. Joselito R. after the LA had rendered its
Ramos Decision on 15 May 2003.

Whether respondent perfected his

appeal to the NLRC.

Whether respondent is partially

disabled and therefore entitled to
disability compensation.

Petition denied.

C.I.C.M. Mission G.R. No. 220506 January 18, 2017 Local Employment What should be the legal basis for
Seminaries School of the computation of the backwages
Theology, Inc., Fr. and separation pay of an illegally
Romeo Nimez, CICM Vs. dismissed employee in a case where
Maria Veronica C. Perez reinstatement was not ordered
despite appeals made by said
employee which [delayed] the final
resolution of the issue on
reinstatement.

Petition denied.

Asian Institute of G.R. No. 207971 January 23, 2017 Unions Whether CA seriously erred in
Management Vs. Asian affirming the dispositions of the BLR

Page 3 of 51
Institute of Management and thus validating the respondent’s
Faculty Association certificate of registration
notwithstanding the fact that its
members are all managerial
employees who are disqualified from
joining, assisting, or forming a labor
organization.

Case ordered consolidated with G.R.

No. 197089.

Wesleyan University- G.R. No. 212774 January 23, 2017 Termination Dispute/Local Whether or not the Court of Appeals
Philippines Vs. Employment committed an error of law when it
Guillermo T. Maglaya, summarily dismissed the special civil
Sr. action for certiorari raising lack of
jurisdiction of the NLRC filed by
[WUP] where it was very clear that
the NLRC had no jurisdiction over
the case involving a corporate
officer and where the nature of the
controversy is an intra-corporate
dispute.

Petition granted.

Scanmar Maritime G.R. No. 199977 January 25, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Entitlement to permanent and total
Services, Inc. Crown disability benefits.
Shipmanagement Inc.,
and Victorio Q. Esta Vs. Petition granted.
Wilfredo T. De Leon

Leo T. Maula Vs. Ximex G.R. No. 207838 January 25, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not petitioner’s act
Delivery Express, Inc. constitutes serious misconduct.

Page 4 of 51
 Whether or not the procedural due
process requirement was complied
with.

Whether the preventive suspension

is proper.

Petition granted.

Jack C. Valencia Vs. G.R. No. 206390 January 30, 2017 Termination Dispute/Local Whether there exists an employer-
Classique Vinyl Products Employment employee relationship between
Corporation, et al. Classique Vinyl and Valencia.

Whether Valencia was illegally

dismissed by Classique Vinyl and
whether the latter is liable for his
monetary claims.

Petition denied.

Nestle Philippines, Inc. G.R. No. 220617 January 30, 2017 Local Employment Whether or not the CA correctly
Vs. Benny A. Puedan, ruled that: (a) NPI was accorded due
Jr., et al. process by the tribunals a quo; and
(b) ODSI is a labor-only contractor of
NPI, and consequently, NPI is
respondents’ true employer and,
thus, deemed jointly and severally
liable with ODSI for respondents’
monetary claims.

Petition granted.

Page 5 of 51
 FEBRUARY 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)

Case Title Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the Supreme
Court

PNCC Skyway G.R. No. 196110 February 6, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether there was grave abuse of
Corporation (PSC) Vs. discretion on the part of the SOLE.
The Secretary of
Labor & Employment, Whether the PNCC Union is entitled
PNCC Skyway Traffic to nominal damages for violation of
Management, and their right to statutory procedural
Security Division due process.
Workers Organization
Petition denied.

Lamberto M. De Leon G.R. No. 215293 February 8, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA erred in its
Vs. Maunlad Trans, findings that the petitioner’s illness
Inc., Seachest is not work related.
Associates, et al.
Whether or not the CA committed
grave and serious error in denying to
petitioner the permanent total
disability compensation and
attorney’s fees.

Petition granted.

De La Salle Araneta G.R. No. 190809 February 13, 2017 Labor Standards Whether or not part-time employees
University Vs. Juanito are excluded from the coverage of
C. Bernardo those entitled to retirement benefits

Page 6 of 51
 under R.A. No. 7641.

Whether or not a claim for

retirement benefits filed beyond the
period provided for under art. 291 of
the Labor Code has prescribed.

Petition dismissed.

Nueva Ecija II Electric G.R. No. 196084 February 15, 2017 Local Employment Whether the petition for review on
Cooperative, Inc., et certiorari was, filed before the CA
al. Vs. Elmer B. within the reglementary period.
Mapagu
Whether the CA erred in dismissing
the petition for certiorari for non-
compliance with the Rules.

Petition denied.

Julieta B. Sta. Ana Vs. G.R. No. 208459 February 15, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether Sta. Ana was validly
Manila Jockey Club, dismissed on the ground of loss of
Inc. trust and confidence.

Petition granted.

E. Ganzon, Inc. (EGI) G.R. No. 214183 February 20, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA erred in
and Eulalio Ganzon ruling that the NLRC gravely abused
Vs. Fortunato B. its discretion when it sustained the
Ando, Jr. Labor Arbiter’s finding that Ando is
not a regular employee but a project
employee of EGI.

Page 7 of 51
 Petition granted.

PJ Lhuillier, Inc. Vs. G.R. No. 223073 February 22, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether respondent Camacho was
Hector Oriel Cimagala illegally dismissed.
Camacho
Petition granted.

Reynaldo Y. Sunit Vs. G.R. No. 223035 February 27, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether petitioner is entitled to
OSM Maritime permanent and total disability
Services, Inc., et al. benefits.

Petition granted.

Page 8 of 51

Case Title
Flordaliza Llanes Grande Vs.
Philippine Nautical Training
College
Joaquin Lu Vs. Tirso Enopia, et
al.
Jessie M. Doroteo (Deceased),
represented by his sister, Lucida
D. Hermis Vs. Philimare
Incorporated, Bonifacio Gomez,
and/or Fil Cargo Shipping
Corp./Philimare Incorporated,
Bonifacio Gomez, and/or Fil
Cargo Shipping Corp. Vs. Jessie
M. Doroteo (Deceased),
represented by his sister, Lucida
D. Hermis
De Ocampo Memorial Schools,
Inc. Vs. Bigkis Manggagawa sa De
Ocampo Memorial School, Inc.
MARCH 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the
Supreme Court
G.R. No. 213137 March 1, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not there is
illegal dismissal.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 197899 March 6, 2017 Termination Dispute/Local Whether or not an
Employment employer-employee
relationship existed
between petitioner and
respondents.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 184917/G.R. No. March 13, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Entitlement to death
184932 benefits and
compensation.
Petition in G.R. No.
184932 is denied. petition
in G.R. No. 184917
is partly granted.
G.R. No. 192648 March 15, 2017 Unions Ground/s for cancellation
of union registration.
Page 9 of 51

Ernesto Brown Vs. Marswin
Marketing, Inc. and Sany Tan
Rogel Ortiz Vs. DHL Philippines
Corporation, et al.
TSM Shipping Phils., Inc. and/or
Dampskibsselskabet Norden A/S
and/or Capt. Castillo Vs. Louie
L. Patino
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 206981 March 15, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether the CA erred in
reversing the NLRC’s
resolution affirming the
LA’s decision that Ernesto
Brown was illegally
dismissed by the private
respondents.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 183399 March 20, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the
petitioner was validly
dismissed.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 210289 March 20, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether the Court of
Appeals decided in a way
not in accord with law or
with the applicable
decisions of the Supreme
Court in affirming the
questioned Decision and
Resolution of the Court of
Appeals [sic] which held
herein petitioners liable
for a total of
US$60,000.00 as disability
benefits despite the
glaring fact that the
private respondent was
Page 10 of 51
 declared as merely
suffering from a Grade 10
disability as
recommended by the
company-designated
physician.

Whether the sole claim of

'loss of earning capacity'
and the '120-day rule'
should equate to an
award of US$60,000.00
despite the lack of
substantial evidence to
support the allegation
that he is actually
suffering from a Grade 1
disability and despite the
undisputed evidence that
he was actually suffering
from a Grade 10
disability.

Whether the medical

findings of the company-
designated physician
should be upheld over
that issued by the
physician appointed by
the private respondent.

Whether the Court of

Appeals decided in a way

Page 11 of 51

Lourdes C. Rodriguez Vs. Park N
Ride Inc./Vicest (Phils)
Inc./Grand Leisure Corp./Sps.
Vicente & Estelita B. Javier
MST Marine Services
(Philippines), Inc./Thome Ship
Management Pte Ltd. and/or
Alfonso Ranjo Del Castillo Vs.
Teody D. Asuncion
not in accord with law or
with the applicable
decisions of the Supreme
Court in affirming the
award for 10% attorney's
fees despite the fact that
the private respondents
[sic] failed to prove that
herein petitioners acted
in bad faith.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 222980 March 20, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether petitioner was
constructively dismissed.
Whether petitioner was
entitled to full service
incentive leave pay and
damages.
Petition partially granted.
G.R. No. 211335 March 27, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether the CA
committed serious and
reversible error of law in
awarding:
Full and permanent
disability benefits to
Asuncion notwithstanding
the Partial Disability
Grade 8 assessed by the
Page 12 of 51
 company-designated
physician;

Full and permanent

disability benefits to
Asuncion for his inability
to work for more than 120
days; and

Attorney's fees.

Petition denied.

Page 13 of 51

Case Title
Herma Shipyard, Inc. and Mr.
Herminio Esguerra Vs. Danilo
Oliveros, et al.
Sumifru (Philippines)
Corporation Vs. Bernabe Baya
Manggagawa ng Komunikasyon
sa Pilipinas Vs. Philippine Long
Distance Telephone Company
Incorporated/Manggagawa ng
Komunikasyon sa Pilipinas Vs.
Philippine Long Distance
Telephone Company
APRIL 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Topic Issue/s Resolved by the
Promulgation Supreme Court
G.R. No. 208936 April 17, 2017 Local Employment Whether petitioners were
project-based employees.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 188269 April 17, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not: (a) the CA
correctly ruled that the NLRC
gravely abused its discretion,
and consequently, held that
AMSFC and DFC constructively
dismissed Baya; (b) whether or
not AMSFC and DFC are liable to
Baya for separation pay, moral
damages, and attorney’s fees;
and (c) whether or not Sumifru
should be held solidarily liable
with AMSFC’s for Baya’s
monetary awards.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. April 19, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether the Court of Appeals
190389/G.R. No. committed grave abuse of
190390 discretion in upholding the
validity of Philippine Long
Distance Telephone Company’s
2002 redundancy program.
Page 14 of 51
 Incorporated
C.F. Sharp Crew Management,
Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line,
Ltd. and/or Mr. Juan Jose
Rocha Vs. Rhudel A. Castillo
University of Santo Tomas
(UST) Vs. Samahang
Manggagawa ng UST, et al.
Dutch Movers, Inc., Cesar Lee
and Yolanda Lee Vs. Edilberto
Lequin, et al.
Editha M. Catotocan Vs.
Lourdes School of Quezon City,
Whether the return-to-work
order of the Secretary of Labor
and Employment was rendered
moot when the National Labor
Relations Commission upheld
the validity of the redundancy
program.
Petition partially granted.
G.R. No. 208215 April 19, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not respondent is
entitled to total and permanent
disability benefits.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 184262 April 24, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA correctly
ruled that Pontesor, et al. are
regular employees and,
consequently, were illegally
dismissed by petitioner.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 210032 April 25, 2017 Local Employment Whether petitioners are
personally liable to pay the
judgment awards in favor of
respondents.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 213486 April 26, 2017 Termination Dispute/Local Whether or not receipt of
Employment retirement benefits bars the
Page 15 of 51
Inc./Lourdes School, Inc. and
Rev. Fr. Cesar F. Acuin, OFM
CAP, Rector
Career Philippines Ship
Management, Inc./Verlou R.
Carmelino Vs. Nathaniel M.
Acub
right to pursue an illegal
dismissal case.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 215595 April 26, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA erred
when it ruled that mere lapse of
120 days from repatriation
automatically entitles the
seafarer to grade 1 disability.
Whether or not the CA erred
when it upheld the assessment
of Acub’s physician of choice
over the findings of the
company-designated physician
without basis in law and
jurisprudence.
Petition denied.
Page 16 of 51

Case Title
Luis S. Doble, Jr. Vs. ABB,
Inc./Nitin Desal
Philippine Airlines, Inc. Vs.
Arjan T. Hassaram
Marlow Navigation
Philippines, Inc./Marlow
Navigation Co., Ltd. and/or
Ms. Eileen Morales Vs.
Heirs of Ricardo S. Ganal,
et al.
Ramon Manuel T. Javines
Vs. Xlibris a.k.a. Author
JUNE 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the
Supreme Court
G.R. No. 215627 June 5, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not Doble was
illegally dismissed.
Petition partly granted.
G.R. No. 217730 June 5, 2017 Local Employment Whether the amount
received by Hassaram
under the Plan should be
deemed part of his
retirement pay.
Whether Hassaram is
entitled to receive
retirement benefits under
Article 287 of the Labor
Code.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 220168 June 7, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the
respondents are entitled to
death and other benefits,
as well as damages.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 214301 June 7, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether the CA erred in
affirming the NLRC’S
Page 17 of 51
 Solutions, Inc., Joseph
Steinbach, and Stella Mars
Quano
Mario C. Madridejos Vs.
Nyk-Fil Ship Management,
Inc.
Sumifru (Philippines) Corp.
Vs. Nagkahiusang
Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm
(Namasufa-Naflu-Kmu)
Spectrum Security Services,
Inc. Vs. David Grave, et al.
finding that Javines was
dismissed for just cause.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 204262 June 7, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not Madridejos
is entitled to disability
benefits.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 202091 June 7, 2017 Local Employment Whether or not the CA
committed palpable
mistake and ruled contrary
to law and settled
jurisprudence when it
affirmed the findings of the
DOLE secretary and
concluded that herein
petitioner, SUMIFRU, is the
employer of the workers
engaged by the cooperative
and/or for the upper siocon
grower’s packaging
operations in packing
plant.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 196650 June 7, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
erred in finding that the
petitioner was guilty of
illegally dismissing the
Page 18 of 51
 respondents despite the
fact that the totality of the
circumstances negated
such finding.

Petition granted.

Yolando T. Bravo Vs. Urios G.R. No. 198066 June 7, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether petitioner’s
College (Now Father employment was
Saturnino Urios University) terminated for a just
and/or Fr. John Christian cause.
U. Young
Whether petitioner was
deprived of procedural due
process.

Whether petitioner is
entitled to the payment of
separation pay, backwages,
and attorney’s fees.

Petition denied.

Ravengar G. Ibon Vs. G.R. No. 221085 June 19, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not there is
Genghis Khan Security constructive dismissal if
Services and/or Marietta the floating status extends
Vallespin beyond six (6) months.

Petition granted.

Seapower Shipping, Ent., G.R. No. 198544 June 19, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not Sabanal’s
Inc. Vs. Heirs of Warren M. death is compensable.
Sabanal, represented by

Page 19 of 51
 Elvira Ong-Sabanal
Rommel M. Zambrano, et
al. Vs. Philippine Carpet
Manufacturing
Corporation/Pacific Carpet
Manufacturing Corporation,
et al.
Constancio Caderao Vs. G.R. No. 224532/G.R. No.
Senator Crewing (Manila),
Inc., et al./Senator
Crewing (Manila), Inc., et
al. Vs. Constancio Caderao
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 224099 June 21, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the
termination is for a lawful
cause.
Whether the termination
constitutes unfair labor
practice.
Whether Pacific Carpet
may be held liable for Phil
Carpet’s obligations.
Whether the quitclaims
signed by the petioners are
valid and binding.
Petition denied.
June 21, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA
224565 erred in holding that
Balatero only suffers from
Grade 7 Disability, hence,
only entitled to benefits
corresponding thereto.
Whether or not the CA
erred in holding that no
attorney’s fees and moral
and exemplary damages
should be awarded to
Balatero.
Page 20 of 51
 Whether or not the CA
erred in holding that Aaron
and Bonoan cannot be held
solidarily liable with SCMI
and Aquanaut in the
payment of the monetary
awards.

Petition partly granted.

Government Service G.R. No. 182297 June 21, 2017 Local Employment Whether the Honorable
Insurance System Vs. Fe L. Court of Appeals
Esteves committed a reversible
error in overturning the
Decision of the ECC, which
denied the claim for death
benefits under P.D. No.
626, as amended, of
respondent Fe Esteves due
to the death of her
husband, the late Antonio
Esteves, Sr.

Whether the underlying

cause of death of the late
Antonio Esteves, Sr., which
was Diabetes Mellitus as
indicated in his death
certificate, and his other
ailments as merely
complications of his

Page 21 of 51
 Diabetes, may be
considered compensable
under P.D. No. 626, as
amended.

Petition granted.

Ambassador Hotel, Inc. Vs. G.R. No. 194137 June 21, 2017 Labor Standards Whether or not petitioner
Social Security System was deprived of due
process when the lower
court declared it liable to
respondent SSS even
though it is not a party to
the case.

Whether or not the

decision rendered by the
lower court declaring
petitioner liable to
respondent SSS for alleged
SSS contribution is valid.

Petition denied.

Norman Panaligan, et al. G.R. No. 202086 June 21, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not there is a
Vs. Phyvita Enterprises valid ground for dismissal.
Corporation
Petition granted.

Paulino M. Aldaba Vs. G.R. No. 218842 June 21, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not petitioner
Career Philippines, is entitled to total and
Shipmanagement, Inc., permanent disability
Columbia Shipmanagement benefits.

Page 22 of 51
 Ltd., and/or Verlou Whether or not CA erred
Carmelito when it solely gave
credence to the
certification of the
company physician without
considering findings of
petitioner’s doctor of
choice.

Petition granted.

Claudia's Kitchen, Inc. and G.R. No. 221096 June 28, 2017 Termination Dispute/Local Whether separation pay in
Enzo Squilantini Vs. Ma. Employment lieu of reinstatement may
Realiza S. Tanguin be awarded to an
employee who was not
dismissed from
employment.

Petition granted.

Page 23 of 51

Case Title
John L. Borja and Aubrey L.
Borja/Dong Juan Vs. Randy B.
Minoza and Alaine S. Bandalan
Sonedco Workers Free Labor
Union (SWOFLU) / Renato Yude,
et al. Vs. Universal Robina
Corporation, Sugar Division-
Southern Negros Development
Corporation (SONEDCO)
Arlo Aluminum, Inc. Vs. Vicente
M. Pinon, Jr., in behalf of Vic
Edward Pinon
JULY 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by
the Supreme Court
G.R. No. 218384 July 3, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
erred in setting aside
the NLRC’s issuances
and reinstating the
LA’s Decision, which
found respondents to
have been
constructively
dismissed.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 220383 July 5, 2017 Union Whether a P32.00/day
wage increase
beginning January 1,
2009 to present should
be awarded to
petitioners.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 215874 July 5, 2017 Local Employment Whether or not the
quitclaim executed is
valid and the
consideration paid to
the heirs of the
laborer is sufficient.
Page 24 of 51

Philippine National Bank Vs.
Jumelito T. Dalmacio/Jumelito
T. Dalmacio Vs. Philippine
National Bank and/or Ms.
Cynthia Javier
Distribution & Control Products,
Inc./Vincent M. Tiamsic vs.
Jeffrey E. Santos
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 202308/G.R. No. July 5, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not PNB
202357 validly implemented
its redundancy
program.
Whether or not the CA
correctly ordered PNB
to return Dalmacio's
GSIS Gratuity Pay.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 212616 July 10, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
intruded into the right
of the employer to
dismiss an employee
whose continued
employment is
inimical to the
employer’s interest.
Whether or not the CA
erred in deciding the
instant case not in
accord with the SC,
i.e., where dismissed
employee for valid
ground should be paid
only nominal damages,
if the two-notice rule
is not complied with.
Page 25 of 51
 Petition denied.

Wilmer O. De Andres Vs. G.R. No. 217345 July 12, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not CA
Diamond H Marine Services & erred in when it
Shipping Agency, Inc., et al. dismissed the petition
on the ground that the
petitioner failed to
comply with the
reportorial
requirement provided
under the POEA
contract.

Whether or not the CA

erred when it
dismissed the petition
on the ground that the
petitioner waive[d] his
right by receiving the
sum NT$40,000 (more
or less 50,000 in
Philippine currency)
which is highly
unconscionable and
unreasonable
compared to
US$60,000 which he
was supposed to
receive under the
POEA contract.

Petition granted.

Page 26 of 51
United Coconut Chemicals, Inc. G.R. No. 201018 July 12, 2017 Local Employment The correct basis for
Vs. Victoriano B. Valmores computing the
backwages of the
respondent

The nature of UCCI's

liability for payment
of full backwages.

The proper interest

rate to be imposed on
the judgment award.

Petition denied.

Joy T. Samonte Vs. Atty. A.C. No. 11668 July 17, 2017 Administrative Whether or not
Vivencio V. Jumamil respondent should be
held administratively
liable.

Respondent is
suspended for a period
of 1 year.

Philtranco Service Enterprises,
Inc., et al. Vs. Franklin Cual, et
al.
G.R. No. 207684 July 17, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the
Court of Appeals
committed reversible
error when it ruled
that the retrenchment
was invalid and the
respondents were

Page 27 of 51
 illegally dismissed.

Whether or not the

Court of Appeals
committed reversible
error when it ruled
that the "law of the
case" applied to
respondents' "refiled"
labor claim in 2010.

Whether or not the

Court of Appeals
committed reversible
error when it ruled
that individual
petitioners Jose Pepito
Alvarez, Arsenio Yap
and Centurion Solano
were jointly and
severally liable for
payment of backwages
and other awards.

Petition denied.

BDO Unibank, Inc. Vs. Nestor N. G.R. No. 208735 July 19, 2017 Termination Dispute Validity of Nerbes and
Nerbes and Armenia F. Suravilla Suravilla’s dismissal.

Petition denied.

Edward M. Cosue Vs. Ferritz G.R. No. 230664 July 24, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not
Integrated Development petitioner was

Page 28 of 51
 Corporation, et al. constructively
dismissed.

Petition denied.

Maunlad Trans Inc., Carnival G.R. No. 222699 July 24, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Entitlement to
Cruise Lines and/or Amado disability benefits.
Castro Vs. Gabriel Isidro
Petition granted.

Vigel Dave Japos Vs. First
Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose
Cooperative (FARMCOOP) and/or
Crislino Bagares
G.R. No. 208000 July 26, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the
dismissal of the
petitioner is illegal for
failure of the
respondent to
establish just cause.

Petition denied.

Julio C. Espere Vs. NFD
International Manning Agents,
Inc./Target Ship Management
Pte Ltd./Cynthia Sanchez
G.R. No. 212098 July 26, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA
erred when it
swallowed hook, line
and sinker the baseless
and speculative
assertion of the
company-designated
physician alleging that
petitioner’s illnessnof
hypertension is
allegedly not work
related or work
aggravated, although
petitioner was

Page 29 of 51
 employed by
respondents
consistently and
continuously without
interruption starting in
1989 and that prior to
his deployment he was
found to be fit for
work.

Petition denied.

Grieg Philippines, Inc. Grieg G.R. No. 228296 July 26, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether the National
Shipping Group As, and/or Labor Relations
Manuel F. Ortiz Vs. Michael John Commission
M. Gonzales committed grave
abuse of discretion in
awarding Gonzales'
claim for disability
benefits and attorney's
fees.

Petition denied.

Hoegh Fleet Services Phils., G.R. No. 230481/G.R. No. July 26, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Entitlement to total
Inc., and/or Hoegh Fleet 230500 and permanent
Services As Vs. Bernardo M. disability.
Turallo/Bernardo M. Turallo Vs.
Hoegh Fleet Services Phils., Petition denied.
Inc., and/or Hoegh Fleet
Services As

Alaska Milk Corporation and the G.R. No. 228412/G.R. No. July 26, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether there is just

Page 30 of 51
 Estate of Wilfred Uytengsu Vs.
Ernesto L. Ponce/Ernesto L.
Ponce Vs. Alaska Milk
Corporation, Royal Friesland
Campina (RFC), as Successor-in-
interest and Solidary Debtors
with the Estate of Wilfredo
Uytengsu, Alaska Milk Workers
Union and Freddie Bautista
Genpact Services, Inc., and
Danilo Sebastian Reyes Vs. Maria
Katrina Santos-Falceso, et al.
Evic Human Resource
Management Inc., et al. Vs.
Rogelio O. Panahon
United Polyresins, Inc., Ernesto
Uy Soon, Jr. and/or Julito Uy
228439 cause to terminate
Ponce’s employment.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 227695 July 31, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
correctly dismissed
outright
the certiorari petition
filed by petitioners
before it on
procedural grounds.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 206890 July 31, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether the CA erred
in ruling that there
was no just cause in
respondent's dismissal.
Whether respondent is
entitled to attorney's
fees.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 209555 July 31, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not CA
erred in ruling that the
Page 31 of 51
Soon Vs. Marcelino Pinuela charges of
misappropriation
against the respondent
were insufficient.

Whether or not the CA

erred in ruling that the
respondent was not
properly informed of
the charges against
him.

Whether or not CA
erred in ruling that the
respondent is entitled
to separation pay,
backwages from
dismissal to the
finality of the decision
and 13th month pay.

Petition denied.

Page 32 of 51

Case Title
Eugenio M. Gomez Vs. Crossworld
Marine Services, Inc., Golden
Shipping Company S.A., and
Eleazar Diaz
Sterling Paper Products
Enterprises, Inc. Vs. KMM-
Katipunan and Raymond Z.
AUGUST 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by
the Supreme Court
G.R. No. 220002 August 2, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the
Court of Appeals
gravely abused its
discretion amounting
to lack or excess of
jurisdiction when (1) it
reversed the decision
of the NLRC, which
affirmed the decision
of the Labor Arbiter;
(2) it ruled that he is
not entitled to full
disability benefits
despite his factual
medical condition; (3)
it refused to apply to
him the landmark case
of Kestrel Shipping
Company, Inc. v.
Francisco Munar (G.R.
No. 198501, January
30, 2013).
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 221493 August 2, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether the cause of
Esponga’s dismissal
amounts to serious
Page 33 of 51
 Esponga
Romeo Alba Vs. Conrado G.
Espinosa, et al.
Adtel, Inc. and/or Reynaldo T.
Casas Vs. Marijoy A. Valdez
misconduct.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 227734 August 9, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not there is
employer-employee
relationship and that
the respondents were
illegally dismissed by
Alba from
employment.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 189942 August 9, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the
Court of Appeals
committed a reversible
error in denying the
petitioners’ motion for
reconsideration and in
dismissing the petition
for certiorari on the
sole basis of
technicality.
Whether or not
technicalities should
give way to a judgment
on the merits
considering that the
Labor Arbiter justly
and correctly ruled
that the complaint for
Page 34 of 51
 illegal dismissal against
petitioner was baseless
and unmeritorious only
to be later reversed by
the NLRC upon
respondent’s appeal.

Petition denied.

Benedict N. Romana Vs. G.R. No. 192442 August 9, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not
Magsaysay Maritime Corporation / petitioner is entitled to
Eduardo U. Manese and/or disability benefits
Princess Cruise Line, Ltd. pursuant to the 2000
POEA-SEC.

Petition denied.

North Sea Marine Services G.R. No. 201806 August 14, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the
Corporation, Ms. Rosalinda Court of Appeals
Cerdina and/or Carnival Cruise committed a serious
Lines Vs. Santiago S. Enriquez error in law in
affirming the award of
US$80,000.00 under
the CBA. Respondent’s
employment has no
overriding CBA.

Whether or not the

Court of Appeals
committed serious
error in holding that
Respondent is entitled
to disability benefits.

Page 35 of 51
 Respondent was
declared FIT TO WORK
by the company-
designated physician.
The findings of the
company-designated
physician should be
given weight in
accordance with the
rulings of this
Honorable Court in the
cases of Coastal
Safeway Marine
Services, Inc. v.
Esguerra, G.R. No.
185352, 10 August
2011 and Allen
Santiago vs. Pacbasin
Shipmanagement, Inc.
and/or Majestic
Carriers, Inc., G.R. No.
194677, 18 April 2012.

Whether or not the

Court of Appeals
committed a serious
error in law in ruling
that respondent is
entitled to attorney’s
fees. The denial of
private respondent’s
claims were based on
legal grounds and

Page 36 of 51
 made in good faith.

Petition granted.

Read-Rite Philippines, Inc. Vs. G.R. No. 195457 August 16, 2017 Local Employment Entitlement to
Gina G. Francisco, et al. involuntary separation
benefits.

Petition granted.

Crispin S. Frondozo, et al. Vs.
Manila Electric Company
G.R. No. 178379 August 22, 2017 Local Employment Whether the Court of
Appeals committed a
reversible error in
upholding the NLRC in
issuing the writ of
preliminary injunction
prayed for by
MERALCO.

Petition denied.

Antonio B. Manansala Vs. Marlow
Navigation Phils., Inc.
G.R. No. 208314 August 23, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not
petitioner Antonio B.
Manansala is entitled
to total and permanent
disability benefits
occasioned by work-
related illnesses.

Petition denied.

Transglobal Maritime Agency, G.R. No. 222430 August 30, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether the factual
Inc., Goodwood Shipmanagement findings of the NLRC

Page 37 of 51
Pte., Ltd. and/or Michael Estaniel and the Labor Arbiter
Vs. Vicente D. Chua, Jr. are binding on the
Honorable Court of
Appeals absent any of
the jurisprudential
exceptions.
Consequently, the
conclusion that the
dismissal of respondent
was for a just cause
must be upheld and no
longer disturbed.

Whether or not the

POEA contract governs
the employment
relationship between
the petitioners and
respondent.

Assuming arguendo
that petitioner failed
to observe procedural
due process in the
termination of
respondent’s
employment, such
failure does not make
the dismissal illegal,
but only makes them
liable for nominal
damages.

Page 38 of 51
 Petition denied.

Robelito Malinis Talaroc Vs.
Arpaphil Shipping Corporation,
Epidaurus S.A., and/or Natividad
Pappas
G.R. No. 223731 August 30, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA
erred in holding that
the NLRC gravely
abused its discretion
when it ruled that
petitioner was entitled
to total and permanent
disability benefits.

Petition granted.

William R. Wenceslao, et al. Vs. G.R. No. 230696 August 30, 2017 Termination Whether the CA was
Makati Development Corporation, Dispute/Local justified in dismissing
Dante Abando and Court of Employment the petition for
Appeals certiorari due to the
failure of the
petitioners to attach
the pertinent records
of the case.

Petition denied.

Magsaysay Maritime
Corporation/Eduardo Manese and
Princess Cruise Line, Ltd. Vs.
Cynthia De Jesus
G.R. No. 203943 August 30, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the
payment of money
judgment has rendered
the Petition
for Certorari before
the Court of Appeals
moot and academic.

Whether or not the

Page 39 of 51
 award of death
benefits was issued
with grave abuse of
discretion.

Petition denied.

Page 40 of 51
 SEPTEMBER 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)

Case Title Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by

the Supreme Court

Alicia M.L. Coseteng and G.R. No. 185938 September 6, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not
Diliman Preparatory School Vs. Perez’s cause of
Leticia P. Perez action has already
prescribed.

Whether or not Perez

failed to discharge her
burden of proving that
her resignation was
involuntary.

Whether or not Perez

was demoted or
placed in a floating
status.

Whether or not there

is basis for the CA’s
inference that the
School has a practice
or policy of granting
separation pay to
resigned employees,
nor can Perez claim
separation pay under
the principle of social
justice in view of her
dishonest acts

Page 41 of 51

Desiderio C. Cutanda Vs.
Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc.
and/or Marlow Navigation Co.,
Ltd. and/or Antonio Galvez, Jr.
Dennis M. Concejero Vs. Court
of Appeals and Philippine
National Bank
Nyk-Fil Ship Management,
Incorporated Vs. Gener G.
unbecoming of a
teacher.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 219123 September 11, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not
petitioner’s illness is
compensable as total
and permanent
disability
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 223262 September 11, 2017 Local Whether or not the
Employment/Termination Court of Appeals
Dispute gravely abused its
discretion in
dismissing petitioner's
appeal from the
Decision of the NLRC
through a petition
for certiorari under
Rule 65 of the Rules of
Court in its Resolution
dated November 3,
2014.
Case remanded to CA
for further
proceedings.
G.R. No. 225142 September 13, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers The Honorable Court
of Appeals committed
Page 42 of 51
 Dabu SERIOUS, REVERSIBLE
AND GROSS ERROR IN
LAW AND IN FACT in
rendering an amended
judgment and
dismissing the
Petitioner's appeal on
the ground that it was
allegedly filed out of
time.

Petition denied.

Philippine National Bank Vs. G.R. No. 194944 September 18, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not there
Teresita Fe A. Gregorio is a valid dismissal.

Petition granted.

C.F. Sharp Crew Management, G.R. No. 211111 September 25, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not
Inc., its President, and Gulf respondent is
Energy Maritime Vs. Noel N. automatically entitled
Orbeta to total and
permanent disability
benefits simply
because thru his own
fault, his back
condition was not
resolved after 120
days.

Whether or not
respondent violated
his obligations under

Page 43 of 51

TSM Shipping (Phils.), Inc. and
MST Marine Services Phils, Inc.
Vs. Shirley G. De Chavez
Fabricator Philippines, Inc. Vs.
Jeani Rose Q. Estolas
the POEA-SEC because
he inexplicably
abandoned his
treatment with the
company designated-
doctors.
Whether or not in the
absence of a medical
finding by a third
doctor, the
assessment of the
company-designated
orthopaedic surgeon is
controlling.
Petition granted in
part.
G.R. No. 198225 September 27, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not CA is
correct in ruling that
the NLRC committed
grave abuse of
discretion in denying
Shirley’s claim for
death benefits.
Petition granted.
G.R. Nos. 224308-09 September 27, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
correctly ruled that
respondent was
illegally dismissed.
Page 44 of 51
 Petition denied.

Oriental Shipmanagement Co., G.R. No. 226766 September 27, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA
Inc. and/or Mol Tankship erred in reversing and
Management (Europe) Ltd. setting aside the
and/or Ramon S. Herrera Vs. decision of the NLRC
William David P. Ocangas and reinstating the
LA’s erroneous award
in favour of
respondent of full
disability benefits
contrary to the
relevant law, rule and
jurisprudence.

Petition granted.

Page 45 of 51

Case Title
Career Philippines G.R. No. 206826/G.R. No.
Shipmanagement, Inc. and
Columbian
Shipmanagement, Ltd. Vs.
Eduardo J.
Godinez/Eduardo J.
Godinez Vs. Career
Philippines
Shipmanagement, Inc. and
Columbian
Shipmanagement, Ltd.
Allan John Uy Reyes Vs.
Global Beer Below Zero,
Inc.
Abbott Laboratories
(Philippines), Inc. and
Stephane Langevin Vs.
Manuel F. Torralba, et al.
OCTOBER 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the
Supreme Court
October 2, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether or not the CA
206828 erred in its appreciation of
the facts and evidence
when it affirmed the award
of total and permanent
disability benefits, sickness
allowance, and
reimbursement of medical
expenses.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 222816 October 4, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not respondent
illegally dismissed
petitioner.
Petition granted.
G.R. No. 229746 October 11, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
erred in affirming the
finding of the LA and the
NLRC that the redundancy
implemented by the
petitioners was valid.
Whether or not the CA
erred in reversing the
NLRC’s finding that private
Page 46 of 51
 respondents validly
executed quitclaims after
they were redundated.

Whether or not the CA

erred in affirming the LA’s
award of full backwages
and damages to private
respondents.

Petition denied.

Meatworld International, G.R. No. 208053 October 18, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not the CA
Inc. Vs. Dominique A. erred in not resolving the
Hechanova case on the merits and not
declaring that the
respondent was not
dismissed, much less
illegally dismissed by the
petitioner from
employment.

Petition denied.

Page 47 of 51

Case Title
Demex Rattancraft, Inc. and
Narciso T. Dela Merced Vs.
Rosalio A. Leron
Maersk-Filipinas Crewing, Inc.
and AP Moller Singapore PTE
Ltd. Vs. Rosemary G. Malicse
NPC Drivers and Mechanics
Association (NPC DAMA), et
al. Vs. The National Power
Corporation (NPC), et al.
NOVEMBER 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)
Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the
Supreme Court
G.R. No. 204288 November 8, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not
respondent Rosalio A.
Leron was validly
dismissed from
employment by
petitioners Demex
Rattancraft, Inc. and
Narciso T. Dela Merced
on the ground of
abandonment of work.
Petition denied.
G.R. Nos. 200576 & 200626 November 20, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Applicability of the
POEA-SEC, the CBA, and
the ITF Agreement.
Entitlement to death
benefits.
Petition denied.
G.R. No. 156208 November 21, 2017 Local Whether PSALM may be
Employment/Termination held directly liable for
Dispute the judgment debt.
Whether the RTC Clerk
of Court and Ex-Officio
Page 48 of 51
 Sheriff immediately
proceed with the
garnishment or levy of
NPC assets.

Formula to compute the

petitioners’
entitlement.

Request to immediately
execute the judgment
award is denied and
direct petitioners to file
a claim against the
government before the
COA.

Veterans Federation of the G.R. No. 184819 November 29, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not
Philippines Vs. Eduardo L. Montenejo et.al. were
Montenejo, et al. illegally dismissed.

Whether or not VFP may

be held solidarily liable
with VMDC for any
monetary award that
may be adjudged in
favor of Montenejo
et.al.

Petition granted.

Page 49 of 51
 DECEMBER 2017 SUPREME COURT DECISIONS (LABOR CASES)

Case Title Case No. Date of Promulgation Topic Issue/s Resolved by the Supreme
Court

Alamario F. Leoncio G.R. No. 230357 December 6, 2017 OFWs/Seafarers Whether petitioner committed a
Vs. MST Marine fraudulent misrepresentation that
Services (Phils.), bars his recovery of total disability
Inc./Artemio V. benefits.
Serafico and/or
Thome Ship Petition granted.
Management Pte.,
Ltd.

Mehitabel, Inc. Vs. G.R. Nos. 228701- December 13, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not CA erred in holding
Jufhel L. Alcuizar 02 that respondent did not abandon his
employment with petitioner
company.

Whether or not respondent was

validly dismissed.

Petition granted.

Expedition G.R. No. 228671 December 14, 2017 Termination Dispute Whether or not there is employer-
Construction employee relationship between
Corporation, et al. petitioner corporation and
Vs. Alexander M. respondents.
Africa, et al.
Assuming arguendo that there is
employer-employee relationship,
whether the CA erred in ruling that
the respondents are regular

Page 50 of 51
 employees.

Whether or not the CA erred in ruling

that respondents were illegally
dismissed.

Petition partly granted.

Page 51 of 51