Case Digest: REBECCA GUTIERREZ v. THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, et al.

REBECCA GUTIERREZ v. THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, et al.

447 SCRA 107 (2004), THIRD DIVISION

Petitioner Rebecca Gutierrez filed a complaint for illegal deduction from and withholding of salaries against respondent Rempac Placement Agency (REMPAC) before the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Her complaint was dismissed and so were her other succeeding petitions with the higher juridical bodies due to non-compliance with the procedural requirements particularly on the contents and the filing of petitions.

ISSUE:

Whether or not adherence to Civil Procedures is to be applied strictly on labor controversies

HELD:

There is ample jurisprudence holding that the subsequent and substantial compliance of an appellant may call for the relaxation of the rules of procedure. Rules of procedure are mere tools designed to expedite the decision or resolution of cases and other matters pending in court. Hence, a strict and rigid application of technicalities that tend to frustrate rather than promote substantial justice must be avoided.

If the Court were to apply the rules of procedure in a very rigid and technical sense, as the Court of Appeals would have it in this case, the ends of justice would be defeated.

The Court further declared that cases should be determined by the merits, after full opportunity to all parties for ventilation of their causes and defenses rather than on technicality or some procedural imperfections. In that way, the ends of justice would be served better.

The emerging trend in the rulings of this Court is to afford every party-litigant the amplest opportunity for the proper and just determination of his cause, free from the constraints of technicalities. This is in line with the time-honored principle that cases should be decided only after giving all parties the chance to argue their causes and defenses.