GRSI Copyrightregno N94-027G.R. No. 84282 %&. N"'I$N"# #"($R R!#"'I$NS C$MMISSI$N Rep)*+ic o, the -hi+ippine& S.-R!M! C$.

.R' Mani+a /IRS' 0I1ISI$N G.R. No. 84282 March 6, 990

March 6, 990M!R"#C$

M"NI#" !#!C'RIC C$M-"N2, petitioner, %&. N"'I$N"# #"($R R!#"'I$NS C$MMISSI$N an3 IS"G"NI 1. 0! #" CR.4, re&pon3ent. "ti+ano S. G)e%arra, 5r., 5o&e %. (a+aoing an3 Gi+ S. San 0iego ,or petitioner. 'eotico R. 6)e%e3o ,or pri%ate re&pon3ent.

G"NC"2C$, 5.7p 'he propriety o, the rein&tate8ent o, an e8p+oyee a& or3ere3 *y the Nationa+ #a*or Re+ation& Co88i&&ion i& in i&&)e in thi& -etition. 'he recor3 o, the ca&e 3i&c+o&e& that the herein pri%ate re&pon3ent I&agani 1. 0e #a Cr)9 :a& an e8p+oyee o, the herein petitioner Mani+a !+ectric Co8pany. ;i& principa+ 3)tie& inc+)3e rea3ing e+ectric <con&)8ption= 8eter& in certain 3i&trict& in the City o, Mani+a a& :e++ a& 3e+i%ering the corre&pon3ing notice& o, e+ectric con&)8ption to the c)&to8er& o, the petitioner ,ir8. ;e :a& e8p+oye3 in the co8pany &ince 5)ne >0, 980. It appear& that on $cto*er 20, 98?, a S)n3ay, the pri%ate re&pon3ent an3 hi& *rother-in+a:, a certain 5ai8e R. M)nera o, 'on3o, Mani+a, :ere in the %icinity o, the -NR Co8po)n3 in -aco, Mani+a. So8e re&i3ent& in the area reporte3 their pre&ence to the *arangay a)thoritie& :ho in t)rn in%ite3 the8 o%er to the po+ice &tation ,or @)e&tioning. ':o re&i3ent& o, the +oca+ity ,i+e3 their re&pecti%e &:orn &tate8ent& to the e,,ect that the pri%ate re&pon3ent an3 hi& *rother-in-+a: ha3 *een intro3)cing the8&e+%e& to certain re&i3ent& a& in&pector& o, the petitioner ,ir8 an3, in the proce&&, ha3 *een eAtorting 8oney ,ro8 the8 in re+ation to &o8e a++ege3 i++ega+ e+ectrica+ connection& 3i&co%ere3 *y the t:o. " certain !3i+*erto $. Sierra, +ine patro+ in&pector o, the petitioner ,ir8, :a& pre&ent 3)ring the po+ice in%e&tigation. ;e &tate3 that an e+ectric 8eter :a& in3ee3 i++ega++y

in&ta++e3 at the re&i3ence o, one Mr&. $rta+e9a o, No. >>2 -NR Co8po)n3, -aco, Mani+a ina&8)ch a& the &a8e ha3 *een pre%io)&+y recor3e3 a& the e+ectric 8eter in&ta++e3 at the re&i3ence o, one "g)e3a ". CaBiga+ o, Sta. "na, Mani+a :hich, ho:e%er, ha3 *een reca++e3 ear+ier an3 3)+y rep+ace3. 'he in&pector a+&o &ai3 that the pri%ate re&pon3ent ha3 no a)thority to in&ta++ e+ectric 8eter&. It a+&o appear& that t:o cri8ina+ ca&e& :ere in&tit)te3 again&t the pri%ate re&pon3ent, one ,or ro**ery-eAtortion ,i+e3 *y !ncarnacion "+ipio, a re&i3ent o, -aco, Mani+a, an3 another ,or @)a+i,ie3 the,t ,i+e3 *y !3i+*erto Sierra, the in&pector. 'he ,ir&t ca&e :a& 3i&8i&&e3 ,or ,ai+)re to pro&ec)te. 'he other ca&e :a& +iCe:i&e 3i&8i&&e3 on the gro)n3 o, in&),,icient e%i3ence. $n 0ece8*er 2, 98?, the pri%ate re&pon3ent :a& pre%enti%e+y &)&pen3e3 *y petitioner. 'herea,ter, or on 0ece8*er 9, 98?, the petitioner initiate3 it& o:n a38ini&trati%e in%e&tigation o, the 8atter. 'he pri%ate re&pon3ent 3enie3 *eing re&pon&i*+e ,or any 8i&con3)ct. ;e &)*8itte3 a &:orn &tate8ent a++eging that on $cto*er 20, 98?, hi& *rother-in-+a: :ante3 to &ee a certain ,rien3 at the -NR Co8po)n3 in -aco, Mani+a an3 that he agree3 to acco8pany hi8D that on their :ay to the -NR co8po)n3, they :ent to Sta. "na, Mani+a to p)++ o)t the inacti%ate3 e+ectric 8eter o, "g)e3a ". CaBiga+ :hich he ,ai+e3 to p)++ o)t a ,e: 3ay& ear+ier a& in&tr)cte3 *y hi& &)perior& *eca)&e it :o)+3 ha%e *een incon%enient ,or hi8 to per,or8 hi& 8eter-rea3ing 3)tie& :hi+e carrying aro)n3 an e+ectric 8eterD that )pon their arri%a+ in -aco, Mani+a, he notice3 that the re&i3ence o, Mr&. $rta+e9a apparent+y ha3 an e+ectrica+ &er%ice connection *)t 3i3 not ha%e an e+ectric 8eter an3 that accor3ing+y, he :ante3 to con,ront herD that hi& *rother-in-+a: ta+Ce3 to Mr&. $rta+e9aD that hi& *rother-in-+a: in&ta++e3 the inacti%ate3 e+ectric 8eter at the re&i3ence o, Mr&. $rta+e9aD that he o*Becte3 to :hat hi& *rother-in-+a: 3i3D that the *arangay a)thoritie& arri%e3 an3 a&Ce3 the8 to i3enti,y the8&e+%e&D an3 that 3e&pite ha%ing i3enti,ie3 the8&e+%e&, they :ere *ro)ght to the po+ice &tation. ;e 3enie3 ha%ing eAtorte3 8oney ,ro8 any*o3y. ;i& *rother-in-+a: a38itte3 ha%ing ta+Ce3 to Mr&. $rta+e9a an3 ha%ing in&ta++e3 the inacti%ate3 e+ectric 8eter at her re&i3ence *)t a33e3 that he :a& 8ere+y p+aying a pranC on her ina&8)ch a& &he +ooCe3 %ery ner%o)&. Nonethe+e&&, he 3enie3 ha%ing eAtorte3 8oney ,ro8 anyone. $n March >, 986, the pri%ate re&pon3ent :a& 3i&8i&&e3 ,ro8 hi& e8p+oy8ent. 'hi& pro8pte3 hi8 to ,i+e a Co8p+aint ,or i++ega+ 3i&8i&&a+ again&t the petitioner *e,ore the Nationa+ #a*or Re+ation& Co88i&&ion. 'he ca&e :a& 3ocCete3 a& N#RC-NCR Ca&e No. ?-2098-86. In 3)e ti8e, the +a*or ar*iter a&&igne3 to the ca&e 3eci3e3 in ,a%or o, the petitioner on the *a&i& o, po&ition paper& &)*8itte3 *y the partie&, an3 :itho)t con3)cting a c+ari,icatory hearing. 'he +a*or ar*iter o*&er%e3 that the a38i&&ion 8a3e *y the *rother-in-+a: o, the pri%ate re&pon3ent to the e,,ect that he :a& the one :ho in&ta++e3 the inacti%ate3 e+ectric 8eter at the re&i3ence o, Mr&. $rta+e9a i& contrary to co88on eAperience an3 :a& pro*a*+y 8a3e B)&t to &a%e hi& *rother-in-+a:, the pri%ate re&pon3ent, ,ro8 +o&ing hi& Bo*. 'he +a*or ar*iter a+&o ,o)n3 the a++egation& o, the pri%ate re&pon3ent an3 hi& *rother-in+a: too incre3i*+e to *e+ie%e. 'he pertinent portion& o, the 3eci&ion o, the +a*or ar*iter are a& ,o++o:&

. . . the a38i&&ion o, co8p+ainantE& *rother-in-+a: that he :a& the one :ho in&ta++e3 the p)++e3-o)t or ,ro9en e+ectric 8eter o, a certain c)&to8er, "g)e3a ". CaBiga+ to the re&i3ence o, #y3ia /. $rta+e9a, o%er the a++ege3 %ehe8ent o*Bection& o, co8p+aint, i& o, no 8o8ent, con&i3ering that &)ch an a++egation i& too prepo&tero)& to *e taCen a& the naCe3 tr)th, *eca)&e it i& contrary to nat)re, rea&on or co88on &en&e. It i& o)r %ie: that &)ch in&in)ation :a& re&orte3 to *y the8, in or3er to &a%e the &Cin o, co8p+ainant :ho ha& nothing to +o&e, *)t e%erything to gain in &)ch a &it)ation. . . . . 'he 3enia+ an3 a+i*i that :a& gi%en *y the co8p+ainant i& too har3 to *e+ie%e, con&i3ering that the inci3ent occ)rre3 3)ring hi& o,,-3)ty <ho)r&= an3 that, he i& not &)ppo&e3 to <n=or con,ront re&pon3entE& c)&to8er&, *)t on+y to report the eAi&tence o, any i++ega+ e+ectrica+ connection&. Moreo%er, co8p+ainant ,ai+e3 to &ho: rea&on :hy the :itne&&e& :ho te&ti,ie3 again&t hi8 an3 hi& *rother-in-+a: 3)ring the po+ice in%e&tigation o, $cto*er 20, 98?, 3i3 &o, i, they :ere not te++ing the tr)th. 'a+Cing a++ thing& into con&i3eration it :o)+3 )tter+y *e )n,air an3 an inB)&tice to re&pon3ent co8pany to retain the co8p+aint in the &er%ice, &o that, :e co)+3 &a,e+y conc+)3e that ter8ination o, co8p+ainant :a& ,or ca)&e. 'hi& o*&er%ation not:ith&tan3ing, the +a*or ar*iter he+3 that ina&8)ch a& the pri%ate re&pon3ent :a& p)t )n3er pre%enti%e &)&pen&ion ,or 8ore than >0 3ay&, the petitioner %io+ate3 petition 4, R)+e FI1 o, the R)+e& i8p+e8enting (ata& -a8*an&a (+g. >0 :hich pro%i3e& that no pre%enti%e &)&pen&ion &ha++ +a&t +onger than >0 3ay& an3 that, accor3ing+y, the petitioner ,ir8 &ho)+3 pay the pri%ate re&pon3ent hi& &a+ary corre&pon3ing to the perio3 o, hi& pre%enti%e &)&pen&ion in eAce&& o, the 8aAi8)8 perio3, i.e., the a8o)nt o, -?,?42.00. 'he +a*or ar*iter a+&o r)+e3 that not:ith&tan3ing hi& B)&t 3i&8i&&a+, the pri%ate re&pon3ent :a& entit+e3 to &o8e ,inancia+ a&&i&tance ,or rea&on& o, po&&e&&ion in the a8o)nt o, one-ha+, 8onth &a+ary ,or e%ery year o, &er%ice, i.e., -6,927.?0, th)& *ringing the tota+ a8o)nt in ,a%or o, the pri%ate re&pon3ent to - 2,469.?0. 2 'he pri%ate re&pon3ent *ro)ght an appea+ to the /o)rth 0i%i&ion o, the Co88i&&ion on the gro)n3 that the 3eci&ion o, the +a*or ar*iter i& contrary to +a: an3 the ,act& o, the ca&e. > In a 3eci&ion pro8)+gate3 on 5)+y 8, 988, 4 the Co88i&&ion &et a&i3e the appea+e3 3eci&ion an3 he+3 that the pri%ate re&pon3ent :a& i++ega++y 3i&8i&&e3. 'he Co88i&&ion 3irecte3 the petitioner ,ir8 to rein&tate the pri%ate re&pon3ent, :itho)t 3epri%ation o, hi& &eniority right&, an3 to pay hi8 *acC:age& e,,ecti%e March ?, 987, )nti+ hi& act)a+ rein&tate8ent. 'he petitioner ,ir8 :a& a+&o in&tr)cte3 to pay the pri%ate re&pon3ent hi& t:o 8onth& &a+ary :ithhe+3 3)ring the perio3 o, hi& pre%enti%e &)&pen&ion in eAce&& o, the >0-3ay 8aAi8)8 perio3 a++o:e3 *y +a:, i.e., ,ro8 5an)ary 2, 986 to March >, 986. 'he Co88i&&ion +iCe:i&e r)+e3 that in the e%ent that rein&tate8ent i& not ,ea&i*+e, the petitioner ,ir8 &ho)+3 pay the pri%ate re&pon3ent the corre&pon3ing &eparation *ene,it&. 'he Co88i&&ion o*&er%e3 that the pri%ate re&pon3ent :a& ne%er gi%en the chance to con,ront hi& acc)&er& an3 that :a& 3enie3 proce3)ra+ 3)e proce&& 3)ring the co8pany

+e%e+ in%e&tigation. 'he Co88i&&ion a+&o o*&er%e3 that the charge& again&t hi8 &ee8e3 *a&e+e&& an3 that he :a& a %icti8 o, 3i&cri8ination on the part o, the petitioner ,ir8. 'he Co88i&&ion +iCe:i&e 3ecrie3 the ,act that the +a*or ar*iter 3i3 not con3)ct a hearing on the&e 8atter& 3e&pite ha%ing *een in,or8e3 *y the pri%ate re&pon3ent that he <the pri%ate re&pon3ent= :a& not a*+e to con,ront hi& acc)&er&. 'he pertinent portion& o, the 0eci&ion o, the Co88i&&ion are a& ,o++o:& Ge are not ,)++y i8pre&&e3 *y the ,oregoing ,in3ing an3 conc+)&ion& o, the #a*or "r*iter. ",ter a thoro)gh re%ie: an3 e%a+)ation o, the po&ition paper& a& :e++ a& the pertinent 3oc)8ent& an3 arg)8ent& o, the partie&, Ge are 8ore inc+ine3 to &)&tain the po&ition o, co8p+ainant that, in3ee3, he :a& )nB)&t+y 3i&8i&&e3 ,ro8 the &er%ice *y <the= 8anage8ent o, re&pon3ent co8pany, con&i3ering the 8anner an3 atten3ant circ)8&tance& &)rro)n3ing hi& ter8ination. Ge th)& ,in3 the #a*or "r*iter to ha%e gra%e+y a*)&e3 hi& 3i&cretion in a3opting a one-&i3e3 proce3)re *y a38itting an3 con&i3ering )n%eri,ie3 &tate8ent& an3 3oc)8ent& &)*8itte3 *y re&pon3ent :itho)t ,in3ing the nece&&ity o, a c+a&i,icatory hearing, at +ea&t, to ena*+e co8p+ainant to con,ront hi& acc)&er&. S)ch procee3ing :a& nece&&ary a& co8p+ainant :a& 3enie3 o, that opport)nity 3)ring the co8pany +e%e+ in%e&tigation. ;ence, &)ch ,ai+)re or o%er&ight o, the "r*iter a8o)nt& to 3enia+ an3 3epri%ation o, herein co8p+ainant o, proce3)ra+ 3)e proce&&, %itiating the integrity o, the procee3ing& *e+o:. Ge ,)rther ,in3 the #a*or "r*iter to ha%e co88itte3 &erio)& error& in hi& ,in3ing& an3 conc+)&ion&. " 8ere rea3ing o, hi& ,act)a+ conc+)&ion& patent+y in3icate& a %irt)a+ a3option o, the po&ition an3 arg)8ent& o, re&pon3ent :hich are )n&)pporte3 *y c+ear an3 con%incing e%i3ence. 'o $)r 8in3, the conc+)&ion& o, the "r*iter are grote&@)e+y erroneo)& ,or *eing entire+y *a&e3 on a&&)8ption& an3 &)r8i&e&, nay hear&ay e%i3ence, )n:orthy o, $)r con&i3eration. AAA AAA AAA

/ro8 the ,act& on recor3, the ,o++o:ing re+e%ant 8ateria+ piece& o, e%i3ence e8erge :hich the #a*or "r*iter ,ai+e3 to ,)++y appreciate an3 con&i3er, na8e+y7 . Co8p+ainant :a& 3enie3 o, proce3)ra+ 3)e proce&& 3)ring the co8pany +e%e+ in%e&tigation. 'he acc)&er& o, co8p+ainant :ere ne%er pre&ente3 to *e con,ronte3 *y the co8p+ainant, nor their &tate8ent& taCen *y the co8pany in%e&tigating o,,icer. 'he recor3& co)+3 neither &ho: that the a++ege3 &tate8ent& o, . . . the p)rporte3 acc)&er& o, herein co8p+ainant . . . :ere e%er &ho:n co8p+ainant ,or po&&i*+e 3enia+ or a38i&&ion. . . . &ai3 :ritten 3ec+aratin on+y &)r,ace3 3)ring the ar*itration procee3ing& a& attach8ent& to re&pon3entE& po&ition paper, a ,act )n3i&p)te3 *y the +atter. 2. 'he cri8ina+ charge& again&t co8p+ainant are :ho++y )n,o)n3e3 an3 *a&e+e&&. 'he co8p+aint . . . ,or a++ege3 HRo**ery !AtortionH :a& 3i&8i&&e3 . . . ,or ,ai+)re to pro&ec)te, i8p+ying that the charge& are ,a*ricate3 an3 inten3e3 to hara&& herein co8p+ainant in reta+iation *y . . . <hi&= acc)&er& ,or *eing 3i&co%ere3 an3 con,ronte3 . . . <a*o)t= their i++ega+ po:er connection&. $n the other han3, the ca&e o, H6)a+i,ie3 'he,tH ,i+e3 *y !3i+*erto Sierra, #ine -atro+ In&pector o, re&pon3ent again&t co8p+ainant :a&

+iCe+y <&ic= 3i&8i&&e3 ,or in&),,iciency o, e%i3ence, hence a+&o i8p+ying &o8e )+terior 8oti%e& on the part o, the acc)&er&. (y the %ery nat)re o, hi& Bo*, Sierra &ho)+3 *e the ,ir&t one to 3i&co%er the i++ega+ po:er +ine connection& o, hi& co-acc)&er& *e,ore co8p+ainant :o)+3 3o, ha3 the +atter not *een in the area o, the -NR Co8po)n3 on $cto*er 20, 98?. >. Re&pon3ent co8pany appear& to ha%e 3i&cri8inate3 again&t co8p+ainant *y &ing+ing hi8 o)t, there *eing no e%i3ence on recor3 a& to :hether the ,or8er tooC any &tep& to in%e&tigate the i++ega+ po:er +ine connection& 3i&co%ere3 *y co8p+ainant. It i& rather )n)&)a+ :hy Sierra 9eroe3 in on the a++ege3 the,t o, co8pany property *y co8p+ainant an3 he 3i3 not taCe any &tep&, or 8)ch +e&& reco88en3 one, on the a)thor& o, the i++ega+ po:er +ine connection&. . . . 4. It ha& re8aine3 )n3i&p)te3 that co8p+ainant ha3 a +a:,)+ or B)&ti,ia*+e rea&on in p)++ing o)t the ,ro9en e+ectric 8eter at the ,or8er re&i3ence o, "g)e3a CaBiga+ at -)nta, Sta. "na, Mani+a. Con&e@)ent+y, the charge& o, @)a+i,ie3 the,t again&t co8p+ainant co)+3 not pro&per ,or +acC o, ,act)a+ an3 +ega+ *a&i&. . . . ?. Co8p+ainant ha3 a %a+i3 eAp+anation ,or *eing at the -NR Co8po)n3, -aco, Mani+a on $cto*er 20, 98? a,ter co8ing ,ro8 -)nta, Sta. "na *eca)&e they :ere +ooCing ,or the ,rien3 o, hi& *rother-in-+a:, 5ai8e M)Iera . . . 6. 'here i& no 3irect e%i3ence c+ear+y &ho:ing that co8p+ainant ha3 a++ege3+y co88itte3 &erio)& or gra%e 8i&con3)ct a& :o)+3 B)&ti,y hi& 3i&8i&&a+. . . . 'he circ)8&tance& a*o)t the $cto*er 20, 98? inci3ent at the -NR Co8po)n3 :a& can3i3+y eAp+aine3 *y 5ai8e M)Iera, co8p+ainantE& *rother-in-+a:, 3)ring the co8pany in%e&tigation . . . It i& c+ear ,ro8 the ,oregoing &tate8ent& o, M)nera that he a+one :a& re&pon&i*+e ,or the in&ta++ation o, the p)++e3-o)t e+ectric 8eter o,CaBiga+ :hich he pre8i&e3 *y 3oing it ,or ,)n )pon o*&er%ing that the &tore-o:ner . . . +ooCe3 ner%o)& :hen <&he :a&= con,ronte3 a*o)t her i++ega+ connection. . . . "n a38i&&ion again&t intere&t on+y *in3& the per&on 8aCing it. . . . AAA AAA AAA

In &)8, the co8pany in%e&tigation :a& not on+y 3e,ecti%e an3 irreg)+ar *)t it <a+&o= ,ai+e3 to e&ta*+i&h an3 co8e )p :ith c+ear an3 con%incing e%i3ence to con%ince .& :ith 8ora+ certainty that co8p+ainant i&, in3ee3, g)i+ty o, the charge& o, &erio)& 8i&con3)ct an3Jor *reach o, tr)&t repo&e3 )pon hi& po&ition a& 8eter rea3er o, re&pon3ent co8pany. 'he i3entitie& o, the acc)&er& o, co8p+ainant :ho p)rporte3+y eAec)te3 the &tate8ent& re+ie3 )pon *y re&pon3ent ha%e not *een 3)+y e&ta*+i&he3 *oth at the co8pany +e%e+ in%e&tigation an3 at the ar*itration &tage. In the a*&ence o, a)thentication or rati,ication *y the per&on& a++ege3+y eAec)ting the8, &ai3 3oc)8ent& are 8ere &crap& o, paper :ith 3o)*t,)+ or 3)*io)& pro*ati%e %a+)e. 'he #a*or "r*iter &ho)+3 either ha%e 3i&regar3e3 &ai3 3oc)8ent& or &et a c+ari,icatory hearing *y i&&)ing &)88on& )pon &ai3 per&on& to appear *e,ore hi8.

AAA

AAA

AAA

Ge are not &aying that co8p+ainant &ho)+3 *e co88en3e3. Ge 3o recogni9e that co8p+ainant to &o8e 3egree &ha++ *e &)*Becte3 to 3i&cip+inary action ,or hi& ina*i+ity to pre%ai+ )pon hi& *rother-in-+a: . . . . ()t :e co)+3 not recogni9e &ai3 inci3ent a+one a8o)nting to &erio)& 8i&con3)ct on the part o, co8p+ainant a& :o)+3 B)&ti,y hi& o)tright 3i&8i&&a+ ,ro8 the &er%ice. . . . AAA AAA AAA

In the in&tant ca&e, re&pon3ent ha3 not e%en e&ta*+i&he3 the charge& o, *reach o, tr)&t again&t co8p+ainant *y prepon3erance o, e%i3ence. . . . 'here i& a+&o 3o)*t on :hether or not the po&ition o, co8p+ainant 3e +a Cr)9 a& 8eter rea3er in%o+%e& one o, tr)&t an3 con,i3ence :ith re&pect to the H)&e an3 po&&e&&ion o, co8pany propertyH . . . the principa+ 3)tie& o, co8p+ainant *eing Hto rea3 e+ectric 8eter& an3 3e+i%er notice& o, e+ectric con&)8ptionH . . . . AAA AAA AAA

!%en a&&)8ing that re&pon3ent in the in&tant ca&e 8ay ha%e &o8e ca)&e or gro)n3 to i8po&e 3i&cip+inary action )pon co8p+ainant, the 8anner in :hich it con3)cte3 it& co8pany in%e&tigation ,ai+e3 to o*&er%e ,air p+ay a& the acc)&er& o, co8p+ainant :ere ne%er pre&ente3 ,or con,rontation, hence, a8o)nting to 3epri%ation o, co8p+ainant o, the e&&entia+ re@)ire8ent& to proce3)ra+ 3)e proce&&. "n3 3)ring the ar*itration procee3ing&, co8p+ainant :a& neither a,,or3e3 the opport)nity to con,ront hi& acc)&er&. AAA AAA AAA ?

Not &ati&,ie3 there:ith, the petitioner ,ir8 e+e%ate3 the ca&e to thi& Co)rt on the gro)n3& that the Co88i&&ion an3 it& o:n R)+e& :hen it ren3ere3 the @)e&tione3 0eci&ion, the &ai3 0eci&ion goe& again&t e&ta*+i&he3 B)ri&pr)3ence, an3 that the Co88i&&ion co88itte3 a gra%e a*)&e o, 3i&cretion :hen it ren3ere3 the &a8e. 'he petitioner 8aintain& that the Re%i&e3 R)+e& o, the Nationa+ #a*or Re+ation& Co88i&&ion, the +a*or ar*iter i& gi%en the 3i&cretion to 3eter8ine :hether or not a c+ari,icatory hearing i& nece&&ary an3, accor3ing+y, the Co88i&&ion &ho)+3 not ,a)+t hi8 ,or eAerci&ing hi& 3i&cretion. 'he petitioner ,ir8 a+&o arg)e& that the Co88i&&ion 3i3 not a3here to the prono)nce8ent& o, thi& Co)rt to the e,,ect that the ,in3ing& o, ,act 8a3e *y the +a*or ar*iter, :hen &)pporte3 *y &)*&tantia+ e%i3ence, &ho)+3 not *e 3i&t)r*e3. 'he i&&)ance o, a te8porary re&training or3er :a& +iCe:i&e &o)ght *y the petitioner petitioner ,ir8. 'he Co)rt note& that the 8ain p+ea3ing i& erroneo)&+y captione3 H-etition ,or Re%ie:.H 'hi& error not:ith&tan3ing, an3 in the intere&t o, B)&tice, the Co)rt re&o+%e3 to treat the &a8e a& a &pecia+ ci%i+ action ,or certiorari in %ie: o, the B)ri&3ictiona+ i&&)e& rai&e3 herein. Moreo%er, +a*or ca&e& are re%ie:e3 *y thi& Co)rt on a &pecia+ ci%i+ action ,or certiorari. 6

$n ")g)&t ?, 988, the Co)rt re&o+%e3 to i&&)e a te8porary re&training or3er enBoining the re&pon3ent& ,ro8 en,orcing the @)e&tione3 0eci&ion o, the Co88i&&ion. 7 $n Septe8*er 4, 988, the $,,ice o, the So+icitor Genera+ &)*8itte3 it& Co88ent on the -etition. 8 $n No%e8*er 7, 988, the pri%ate re&pon3ent &)*8itte3 hi& Co88ent. 9 In ,ine, the re&pon3ent& &)*8it that the 0eci&ion o, the Co88i&&ion i& in accor3 :ith the +a: an3 B)ri&pr)3ence an3 that, accor3ing+y, the -etition &ho)+3 *e 3i&8i&&e3 ,or +acC o, 8erit. $n No%e8*er 2>, 988, the Co)rt re&o+%e3 to gi%e 3)e co)r&e to the -etition. 0 In 3)e ti8e, the ca&e :a& 3ee8e3 &)*8itte3 ,or 3eci&ion. ",ter a care,)+ e%a+)ation o, the entire recor3 o, the ca&e, the Co)rt ,in3& the in&tant -etition 3e%oi3 o, 8erit. "& pointe3 o)t *y the So+icitor Genera+, a+tho)gh Section >, R)+e 1II o, the Re%i&e3 R)+e& o, the Nationa+ #a*or Re+ation& Co88i&&ion gi%e& the +a*or ar*iter the 3i&cretion to 3eter8ine i, a hearing i& nece&&ary )n3er the pre8i&e&, thi& 3i&cretion 8)&t *e eAerci&e3 pr)3ent+y. In the ca&e at *ar, it appear& that not:ith&tan3ing the 8ani,e&tation o, the pri%ate re&pon3ent that he ne%er got the chance to con,ront hi& acc)&er&, the +a*or ar*iter :ent on to re&o+%e the ca&e on the *a&i& o, po&ition paper&. 'h)&, the Co88i&&ion correct+y o*&er%e3 that the +a*or ar*iter co88itte3 a gra%e a*)&e o, 3i&cretion in thi& partic)+ar in&tance. It i& a :e++-Cno:n r)+e that *e,ore an e8p+oyer 8ay 3i&8i&& an e8p+oyee he 8)&t *e a,,or3e3 3)e proce&& :hich 8ean& a8ong other&, the opport)nity to con,ront the :itne&&e& again&t hi8 an3 to a33)ce e%i3ence in hi& 3e,en&e. /ai+ing in thi&, the 3i&8i&&a+ o, an e8p+oyee i& not +a:,)+ an3 &ho)+3 *e a&i3e. 'he ,in3ing& o, ,act 8a3e *y the +a*or ar*iter 8ay not *e 3i&t)r*e3 *y the re%ie:ing a)thority a& +ong a& the &a8e i& &)pporte3 *y &)*&tantia+ e%i3ence. In thi& ca&e, the Co88i&&ion :a& o, the %ie: that the +a*or ar*iter, co88itte3 &erio)& error& in the appreciation o, the ,act& o, the ca&e an3, preci&e+y 3)e to the &a8e, the Co88i&&ion :ent on to it& o:n e%a+)ation o, the &ai3 ,act&. 'he action taCen *y the Co88i&&ion in thi& regar3 :a& certain+y ca++e3 ,or con&i3ering ,o++o:ing 8atter& < = 'he pri%ate re&pon3ent ha3 a p+a)&i*+e eAp+anation ,or p)++ing o)t an inacti%ate3 e+ectric 8eter an3 ,or in *eing at the -NR co8po)n3 in -aco, Mani+a on $cto*er 20, 98?D <2= $n+y hi& *rother-in-+a: a38itte3 &o+e re&pon&i*i+ity ,or the )n,ort)nate inci3ent in @)e&tionD <>= 'he pri%ate re&pon3ent ne%er got the chance to con,ront hi& acc)&er&D an3 <4= 'he t:o cri8ina+ ca&e& in&tit)te3 again&t the pri%ate re&pon3ent :ere 3i&8i&&e3, %i&-a-%i& the ,act that hi& acc)&er& in the ter8ina+ ca&e& :ere a+&o hi& acc)&er& in the a38ini&trati%e procee3ing. In &)8, there,ore, the petitioner ,ir8 ha& ,ai+e3 to &ati&,actori+y 3e8on&trate any B)ri&3ictiona+ error on the part o, the Nationa+ #a*or Re+ation& Co88i&&ion. "t the %ery +ea&t, 3o)*t ha& atten3e3 the propriety o, the 3i&8i&&a+ o, the pri%ate re&pon3ent an3 that thi& 3o)*t &ho)+3 *e re&o+%e3 in ,a%or o, the :orCing8an.

G;!R!/$R!, in %ie: o, the ,oregoing, the in&tant -etition i& here*y 0ISMISS!0 ,or +acC o, 8erit. 'he te8porary re&training or3er i&&)e3 *y the Co)rt on ")g)&t ?, 988 i& here*y +i,te3. 'he Co)rt 8aCe& no prono)nce8ent a& to co&t&. S$ $R0!R!0. Nar%a&a, Cr)9, GriIo-"@)ino an3 Me3ia+3ea, 55., conc)r.