MILAGROS PANUNCILLO VS CAP PHILIPPINES, INC.

MILAGROS PANUNCILLO

VS

CAP PHILIPPINES, INC.
515 SCRA 323 (2007)

The protection of the rights of the laborers does not authorize the oppression or self-destruction of the employer.

Milagros Panuncillo was hired as Office Senior Clerk by CAP Philippines Inc. In order to secure the education of her son, Panuncillo procured an educational plan which she had fully paid but which she later sold to Josefina Pernes for P37,000. Before the actual transfer of the plan could be effected, however, Panuncillo pledged it for P50,000 to John Chua who, however, sold it to Benito Bonghanoy. Bonghanoy in turn sold the plan to Gaudioso R. Uy for P60,000.

Having gotten wind of the transactions subsequent to her purchase of the plan, Josefina informed CAP Philippines Inc. that Panuncillo had “swindled” her but that she was willing to settle the case amicably as long as Panuncillo will pay the amount involved and the interest.

CAP Philippines Inc. terminated the services of Panuncillo. Panuncillo sought reconsideration of her dismissal. Acting on Panuncillo’s motion for reconsideration, CAP Philippines Inc. denied the same. Panuncillo thus filed a complaint for illegal dismissal, 13th month pay, service incentive leave pay, damages and attorney’s fees against CAP Philippines Inc.

The Labor Arbiter, while finding that the dismissal was for a valid cause, found the same too harsh. He thus ordered the reinstatement of Panuncillo to a position one rank lower than her previous position. On appeal, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed the decision of the Labor Arbiter. It held that Panuncillo’s dismissal was illegal and accordingly ordered her reinstatement to her former position.

CAP Philippines Inc. challenged the NLRC Decision before the appellate court via Petition for Certiorari. The appellate court reversed the NLRC Decision and held that the dismissal was valid and that CAP Philippines Inc. complied with the procedural requirements of due process. Hence, the present petition.

ISSUE:
Whether or not Milagros has been illegally dismissed

HELD:
Panuncillo’s repeated violation of Section 8.4 of CAP Philippines Inc’s Code of Discipline, she violated the trust and confidence of CAP Philippines Inc. and its customers. To allow her to continue with her employment puts CAP Philippines Inc. under the risk of being embroiled in unnecessary lawsuits from customers similarly situated as Josefina, et al. Clearly, CAP Philippines Inc. exercised its management prerogative when it dismissed Panuncillo.

Under the Labor Code, the employer may terminate an employment on the ground of serious misconduct or willful disobedience by the employee of the lawful orders of his employer or representative in connection with his work. Infractions of company rules and regulations have been declared to belong to this category and thus are valid causes for termination of employment by the employer.

The employer cannot be compelled to continue the employment of a person who was found guilty of maliciously committing acts which are detrimental to his interests. It will be highly prejudicial to the interests of the employer to impose on him the charges that warranted his dismissal from employment. Indeed, it will demoralize the rank and file if the undeserving, if not undesirable, remain in the service. It may encourage him to do even worse and will render a mockery of the rules of discipline that employees are required to observe. This Court was more emphatic in holding that in protecting the rights of the laborer, it cannot authorize the oppression or self-destruction of the employer.

There can thus be no doubt that Panuncillo was given ample opportunity to explain her side. Parenthetically, when an employee admits the acts complained of, as in Panuncillo’s case, no formal hearing is even necessary.