TVI RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PHILS. INC., PETITIONER, VS. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION -REGIONAL ARBITRATION BRANCH VII AND RODOLFO C. LU…

On November 7, 2014, petitioner filed a Manifestation with Motion to Withdraw^[1] claiming that the parties have amicably settled the case on October 23, 2014. To support its claim, petitioner attached the Compromise Agreement^[2] dated October 23, 2014 and a Joint Manifestation with Motion to Dismiss^[3] filed before NLRC-RAB-VII, which was duly signed by the respective counsels of the petitioner and private respondent. Moreover, petitioner submitted an Acknowledgment Receipt^[4] and Quitclaim^[5] signed by private respondent Rodolfo C. Lupo.

After a fastidious perusal of the records, there is no showing that the compromise agreement was entered into through fraud, misrepresentation or coercion. Thus, the same is to be recognized as valid and binding. Furthermore, the agreement is not contrary to law, morals, good customs and public policy.

It bears stressing that Article 227 of the Labor Code authorizes compromise agreements voluntarily agreed upon by the parties, in conformity with the basic policy of the State “to promote and emphasize the primacy of free collective bargaining and negotiations, including voluntary arbitration, mediation and conciliation, as modes of settling labor or industrial disputes.”^[6] Therefore, it is but proper to uphold the Compromise Agreement in order to effectuate the mutual concessions of the parties and thus finally settling this case. Consequently, the withdrawal of the petition is proper since it is meritorious and well substantiated.

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, petitioner’s Manifestation with Motion to Withdraw is APPROVED. The parties are hereby enjoined to comply faithfully with all the terms and conditions of the Compromise Agreement dated October 23, 2014. Accordingly, the Petition for Certiorari is now rendered moot and the instant case is hereby DISMISSED. No costs.

SO ORDERED.

Quijano-Padilla, and Azcarraga-Jacob, JJ., concur.

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^[1] Rollo, pp. 102-106.

^[2] Rollo, pp. 110-113.

^[3] Rollo, pp. 107-108.

^[4] Rollo, p. 109.

^[5] Rollo, p. 114.

^[6] Journalists, Inc. et. al. v. NLRC et. al., G.R. No. 166421, September 5, 2006.