Atlantic Gulf And Pacific Company Of Manila v. National Labor Relations Commission

PUNO, J.:

In this special civil action for certiorari, petitioner assails the Decision dated 30 September 1996, as well as the Resolution dated 6 December 1996 of public respondent National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Second Division, in NLRC Case No. 05-02295-89 invalidating its redundancy program and the separation from service of private respondents. It is of public notice that in the late 1980's, the construction industry experienced a major slump. In 1987, petitioner, a corporation engaged in general construction work, reportedly incurred huge operating losses of P134.8 million and net losses of P35.42 million.

To save itself, petitioner implemented on 1 March 1988, a redundancy program wherein one hundred seventy seven (177) employees occupying rank and file, managerial and staff positions were separated from employment. Among them were private respondents Gamboa, Tuason and Din, all members of the AG&P United Rank and File Association (AG&P URFA), the certified collective bargaining representative for all the rank and file employees of petitioner. These employees received all the benefits due them under the Labor Code.

As separation pay equivalent to one (1) month salary for every year of service, respondent Gamboa received P149,261.13; respondent Tuazon was paid P99,037.26; and respondent Din was given P46,111.56. They also signed releases indicating their conformity with petitioner's redundancy program.1 More than a year after, or on 16 May 1989, petitioner was charged with unfair labor practice and illegal dismissal by private respondents. On 31 January 1991, Labor Arbiter Cresencio J. Ramos rendered a Decision in favor of private respondents.

The dispositive portion of the decision reads:

WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered in this case as follows: 1. declaring respondent's redundancy program as illegal; 2. ordering respondents to reinstate complainants to their previous or equivalent positions without loss of seniority rights with full backwages, to pay complaints backwages from April 1, 1988 to January 31, 1991 (2 years and 10 months) as follows: John Din P 90,221.72 Enrique Gamboa 101,583.60 Claro Tuason 99,373.50