Professional Documents
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vs.
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vs.
EMILINDA
D.
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et al., and that the latter had already received from Aris
their separation pay and other benefits amounting to
P419,057,348.24, which covers practically more than 10%
of the monetary award.17 FAPI,
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14Id., at p. 359.
15Id., at p. 241.
16Id., at pp. 360373.
17Rollo (G.R. No. 180147), p. 22.
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for its part, claimed that its total assets would not be
enough to answer for even a small portion of the award. To
compel it to post a bond might result in complete stoppage
of operations. FAPI also cited the possibility that the
assailed decision once reviewed will be reversed and set
aside.18 The Corporations posted a total of P4.5 Million.
Emilinda D. Macatlang, et al., opposed the motion by
asserting that failure to comply with the bond requirement
is a jurisdictional defect since an appeal may only be
perfected upon posting of a cash bond equivalent to the
monetary award provided by Article 223 of the Labor
Code.19
In light of the impossibility for any surety company to
cover the appeal bond and the huge economic losses which
the companies and their employees might suffer if the
P3.45 Billion bond is sustained, the NLRC granted the
reduction of the appeal bond. The NLRC issued an Order
dated 31 March 200620 directing the Corporations to post
an additional P4.5 Million bond, bringing the total posted
bond to P9 Million. The dispositive portion of the Order
provides:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, respondents are hereby
ordered to post bond, either in cash, surety or property, in the
additional amount of FOUR MILLION FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P4,500,000.00) within an INEXTENDIBLE
period of FIFTEEN (15) calendar days from receipt hereof. To the
said extent, the Motion for Reduction is granted.
Failure to render strict compliance with the Order entered
herein shall render the dismissal of the appeal and the decision
sought for review, as final and executory.21
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18Rollo (G.R. No. 180319, Vol. I), pp. 365369.
19Rollo (G.R. No. 180150), p. 431.
20Rollo (G.R. No. 180319, Vol. I), pp. 126131.
21Id., at p. 130.
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VII.
Having disposed the procedural issues, we now tackle
the Corporations arguments, in the main, calling for a
reduction of the appeal bond.
Wellsettled is the doctrine that appeal is not a
constitutional right, but a mere statutory privilege. Hence,
parties who seek to avail themselves of it must comply with
the statutes or rules allowing it.46 The primary rule
governing appeal from the ruling of the labor arbiter is
Article 223 of the Labor Code which provides:
Art. 223. Appeal.Decisions, awards, or orders of the Labor
Arbiter are final and executory unless appealed to the
Commission by any or both parties within ten (10) calendar days
from receipt of such decisions, awards, or orders. Such appeal may
be entertained only on any of the following grounds:
a. If there is prima facie evidence of abuse of discretion on the
part of the Labor Arbiter;
b. If the decision, order or award was secured through fraud or
coercion, including graft and corruption;
c.If made purely on questions of law; and
d.If serious errors in the findings of facts are raised which would
cause grave or irreparable damage or injury to the appellant.
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46 Calipay v. National Labor Relations Commission, G.R. No. 166411, 3
August 2010, 626 SCRA 409, 416 citing McBurnie v. Ganzon, G.R. Nos. 178034,
178117, 18698485, 18 September 2009, 600 SCRA 658, 672; Land Bank of the
Philippines v. Ascot Holdings and Equities, Inc., 562 Phil. 974, 983984; 537
SCRA 396, 406 (2007); Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company v. Raut,
613 Phil. 427; 597 SCRA 66 (2009) citing Accessories Specialist, Inc. v.
Alabanza, 581 Phil. 517, 530; 559 SCRA 550, 562 (2008) citing further Cuevas v.
Bais Steel Corporation, 439 Phil. 793, 805; 391 SCRA 192, 202 (2002).
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83Id.
84352 Phil. 1013; 290 SCRA 408 (1998).
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