G.R. No. 225142. September 13, 2017
NYK-FIL SHIP MANAGEMENT, INCORPORATED, PETITIONER, V. GENER G. DABU, RESPONDENT.
PERALTA, J.:
The antecedent facts are as follows:
Petitioner
NYK-Fil Ship Management, Inc., a local manning agent acting for and in
behalf of its foreign principal NYK Ship Management Pte. Ltd. Singapore,
hired respondent Gener G. Dabu to work as oiler for nine months on
board the vessel M/V Hojin with a monthly basic salary of US$584.00,
among others.[3] Their
contract of employment was covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement
known as “IBF JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA which was effective from January 1,
2012 to December 31, 2014.[4] Respondent underwent a pre-employment medical examination (PEME)
on March 25, 2013 where he disclosed that he has diabetes mellitus. The
doctor who conducted the PEME noted that respondent has diabetes
mellitus type 2, controlled with medications.[5]
On April 6, 2013, respondent embarked the vessel and discharged
his duty as oiler. On April 8, 2013, he had palpitations, pains all
over the body, numbness of hands and legs, lack of sleep and
nervousness. On April 10, 2013, he consulted a doctor in Sri Lanka who
found him with elevated blood sugar level and was suffering from
diabetes mellitus, and declared him unfit for sea duty.[6] He was repatriated to Manila on April 12, 2013.[7]
Upon his arrival, he was immediately referred to the company-designated
physician at NGC Medical Specialist Clinic, Inc. who examined him.
Respondent was asked to undergo a series of laboratory tests where the
results showed that he has diabetes mellitus, poorly controlled.
Respondent had undergone many follow up examinations with corresponding
laboratory tests as he continued to complain of palpitations, pains all
over his body with easy fatigability, and was prescribed medicines and
eventually placed on insulin treatment.[8]
On July 18, 2013, the company-designated physician declared that respondent’s diabetes mellitus is not work-related.[9]
However, respondent’s treatment was continued for a maximum period of
130 days. Respondent continued his follow-up consultations as he still
complained of body pains and weakness and was prescribed medicines.[10]
On August 22, 2013, the company-designated physician reiterated her
findings that respondent’s diabetes mellitus is not work-related.[11]
Respondent wrote letters to petitioner appealing for the continuation
of his treatment since his sickness was work-related taking into account
his 23 years of working in petitioner’s various vessels.[12]
Respondent then consulted Dr. Efren R. Vicaldo of the Philippine Heart
Center who found him suffering from diabetes mellitus, insulin
requiring, Impediment Grade VII (41.80%) and declared him permanently
unfit to resume work as a seaman in any capacity and his illness is
considered work-aggravated/related.[13]
He also consulted Dr. Czarina Sheherazade Mae A. Miguel, an Internal
Medicine Specialist, whose finding was the same as with Dr. Vicaldo’s.[14]
Respondent sought payment of disability benefits, damages and
attorney’s fees from petitioner, but was denied. He requested for a
grievance proceedings in accordance with the CBA, however, the parties
did not reach any settlement. He then filed a notice to arbitrate with
the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB), and the parties were required to submit their position papers.
On November 28, 2014, the NCMB-Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators (PVA) rendered a Decision, the decretal portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, ALL THE ABOVE CONSIDERED, a Decision is hereby
rendered ORDERING the respondents, jointly and severally, to pay
complainant the following amounts:(1) Disability compensation in the amount of US$60,000.00 or
its Peso equivalent at the time of payment plus 12% interest thereon;(2) Attorney’s fees equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the total monetary award.
All other claims are DISMISSED for lack of merit.
SO ORDERED.[15]
Petitioner received a copy of the PVA decision on February 9, 2015
and filed with the CA a petition for review under Rule 43 of the Rules
of Court on February 24, 2015 alleging that the PVA committed serious
errors in rendering its decision and sought to enjoin the PVA from
enforcing its decision. Respondent filed its Comment and petitioner
filed its Reply. The parties also filed their respective memoranda.
On April 27, 2015, the NCMB-PVA issued a Writ of Execution
directing the satisfaction of the judgment award of the PVA, which
petitioner had complied without prejudice to the outcome of their
petition for review.
On September 15, 2015, the CA issued its Decision,[16] the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. The assailed Decision of the
NCMB-PVA dated November 28, 2014 in AC-971-RCMB-NCR-MVA-020-03-03-2014
is REVERSED and SET ASIDE, and a new one entered DISMISSING respondent
Dabu’s complaint for lack of merit.[17]
Aggrieved, respondent filed a motion for reconsideration wherein
he reiterated his argument raised in his memorandum that the petition
should be dismissed for being filed out of time.
On March 3, 2016, the CA issued its Amended Decision, the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, private respondent’s motion for reconsideration is
GRANTED. Accordingly, this Court’s Decision dated September 15, 2015 is
hereby RECALLED and SET ASIDE and a new one entered DISMISSING the
petition for having been filed out of time.[18]
Petitioner moved for reconsideration, however, the CA denied the
same in a Resolution dated June 9, 2016, the decretal portion of which
states:
WHEREFORE, petitioner’s motion for reconsideration of the Amended Decision dated March 3, 2016 [is] DENIED for lack of merit.[19]
Hence, this petition for review on the following argument, to wit:
The Honorable Court of Appeals committed SERIOUS, REVERSIBLE AND
GROSS ERROR IN LAW AND IN FACT in rendering an amended judgment and
dismissing the Petitioner’s appeal on the ground that it was allegedly
filed out of time.[20]
We find no merit in the petition.
Art. 262-A of the Labor Code provides:
Art. 262-A. Procedures. x x x
x x x x
The award or decision of the Voluntary Arbitrator or Panel of
Voluntary Arbitrators shall contain the facts and the law on which it is
based. It shall be final and executory after ten (10) calendar days
from receipt of the copy of the award or decision by the parties.
and Section 6, Rule VII of the NCMB Procedural Guidelines in the conduct of voluntary arbitration proceedings provides:
Section 6. Finality of Award or Decisions. – Awards or
decisions of voluntary arbitrator become final and executory after ten
(10) calendar days from receipt of copies of the award or decision by
the parties.
Clearly, the decision of the voluntary arbitrator becomes final
and executory after 10 days from receipt thereof. The proper remedy to
reverse or modify a voluntary arbitrators’ or panel of voluntary
arbitrators’ decision is to appeal the award or decision via a petition
under Rule 43 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.[21]
And under Section 4 of Rule 43, the period to appeal to the CA is 15
days from receipt of the decision. Notwithstanding, since Article 262-A
of the Labor Code expressly provides that the award or decision of the
voluntary arbitrator shall be final and executory after ten (10)
calendar days from receipt of the decision by the parties, the appeal of
the VA decision to the CA must be filed within 10 days. In Philippine Electric Corporation (PHILEC) v. Court of Appeals,[22] We held:
It is true that Rule 43, Section 4 of the Rules of Court provides for a 15-day reglementary period for filing an appeal:
Section 4. Period of appeal. — The appeal shall be taken
within fifteen (15) days from notice of the award, judgment, final order
or resolution, or from the date of its last publication, if publication
is required by law for its effectivity, or of the denial of
petitioner’s motion for new trial or reconsideration duly filed in
accordance with the governing law of the court or agency a quo. Only one
(1) motion for reconsideration shall be allowed. Upon proper motion and
the payment of the full amount of the docket fee before the expiration
of the reglementary period, the Court of Appeals may grant an additional
period of fifteen (15) days only within which to file the petition for
review. No further extension shall be granted except for the most
compelling reason and in no case to exceed fifteen (15) days.The 15-day reglementary period has been upheld by this court in a
long line of cases. In AMA Computer College-Santiago City, Inc. v.
Nacino, Nippon Paint Employees Union-OLALIA v. Court of Appeals, Manila
Midtown Hotel v. Borromeo, and Sevilla Trading Company v. Semana, this
court denied petitioners’ petitions for review on certiorari since
petitioners failed to appeal the Voluntary Arbitrator’s decision within
the 15-day reglementary period under Rule 43. In these cases, the Court
of Appeals had no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal assailing the
Voluntary Arbitrator’s decision.Despite Rule 43 providing for a 15-day period to appeal, we
rule that the Voluntary Arbitrator’s decision must be appealed before
the Court of Appeals within 10 calendar days from receipt of the
decision as provided in the Labor Code.Appeal is a “statutory privilege,” which may be exercised “only
in the manner and in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
“Perfection of an appeal within the reglementary period is not only
mandatory but also jurisdictional so that failure to do so rendered the
decision final and executory, and deprives the appellate court of
jurisdiction to alter the final judgment much less to entertain the
appeal.”We ruled that Article 262-A of the Labor Code allows the
appeal of decisions rendered by Voluntary Arbitrators. Statute provides
that the Voluntary Arbitrator’s decision “shall be final and executory
after ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the copy of the award or
decision by the parties.” Being provided in the statute, this 10-day
period must be complied with; otherwise, no appellate court will have
jurisdiction over the appeal. This absurd situation occurs when the
decision is appealed on the 11th to 15th day from receipt as allowed
under the Rules, but which decision, under the law, has already become
final and executory.Furthermore, under Article VIII, Section 5(5) of the
Constitution, this court “shall not diminish, increase, or modify
substantive rights” in promulgating rules of procedure in courts. The
10-day period to appeal under the Labor Code being a substantive right,
this period cannot be diminished, increased, or modified through the
Rules of Court.In Shioji v. Harvey, this court held that the “rules
of court, promulgated by authority of law, have the force and effect of
law, if not in conflict with positive law.” Rules of Court are
“subordinate to the statute.” In case of conflict between the law and
the Rules of Court, “the statute will prevail.”The rule, therefore, is that a Voluntary Arbitrator’s award
or decision shall be appealed before the Court of Appeals within 10 days
from receipt of the award or decision. Should the aggrieved party
choose to file a motion for reconsideration with the Voluntary
Arbitrator, the motion must be filed within the same 10-day period since
a motion for reconsideration is filed “within the period for taking an
appeal.”[23]
In this case, petitioner received the PVA decision on February 9,
2015, and filed the petition for review 15 days after receipt thereof, i.e.,
on February 24, 2015. The CA, upon respondent’s motion for
reconsideration, rendered its Amended Decision dated March 3, 2016
dismissing the petition and vacating the earlier decision it made
granting the petition. The CA dismissed the petition for being filed out
of time, citing the PHILEC case above-quoted. We find no error
committed by the CA in dismissing the petition for being filed out of
time as the petition was not filed within the 10 day period . Since the
timely perfection of an appeal is jurisdictional, the CA has no more
authority to act on the appeal filed by petitioner. The CA correctly
held that inasmuch as the PVA decision had lapsed into finality, the
same may no longer be modified in any respect. This is so because any
amendment or alteration made which substantially affects the final and
executory judgment would be null and void for lack of jurisdiction.[24]
In Labao v. Flores, et al.,[25] We held:
Needless to stress, a decision that has acquired finality
becomes immutable and unalterable and may no longer be modified in any
respect, even if the modification is meant to correct erroneous
conclusions of fact or law and whether it will be made by the court that
rendered it or by the highest court of the land. All the issues between
the parties are deemed resolved and laid to rest once a judgment
becomes final and executory; execution of the decision proceeds as a
matter of right as vested rights are acquired by the winning party. Just
as a losing party has the right to appeal within the prescribed period,
the winning party has the correlative right to enjoy the finality of
the decision on the case. After all, a denial of a petition for being
time-barred is tantamount to a decision on the merits. Otherwise, there
will be no end to litigation, and this will set to naught the main role
of courts of justice to assist in the enforcement of the rule of law and
the maintenance of peace and order by settling justiciable
controversies with finality.[26]
Petitioner contends that the PHILEC case finds no application in
this case since at the time of the filing of the petition, the existing
jurisprudence provides for 15 day period to appeal; that due to the
proximity of time between the filing of the appeal on February 24, 2015
and the promulgation of the PHILEC decision on December 10, 2014, it had
no opportunity to obtain knowledge, either actual or constructive, of
the new prescriptive period established therein; and that judicial
notice may be taken that the promulgated decision had to undergo a
protracted process before it finally reached its finality and can be
disseminated or published for public information.
We are not persuaded.
To stress, Article 262-A of the Labor Code provides for a period often
days to appeal the PVA’s decision. The 10-day period to appeal under the
Labor Code being a substantive right cannot be diminished, increased,
or modified through the Rules of Court.[27] The PHILEC decision merely applies what is stated in the existing law. In fact, as correctly pointed out by the CA, in Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., Sales Force Union -PTGWO-Balais v. Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc.,[28] (Coca Cola)
a 2005 case, we had already affirmed the CA’s dismissal of the petition
filed with it on the ground that the appeal of the PVA decision was not
filed within the 10 day period so that the PVA decision had already
attained finality. While there are decisions subsequent to the Coca Cola
case stating that a petition for review assailing the PVA decision must
be filed within 15 days from receipt of the PVA decision, however, we
reiterate in the PHILEC decision, which is the recent decision, that the
voluntary arbitrator’s decision must be appealed before the CA within
10 calendar days from receipt of the decision as provided in the Labor
Code. It bears stressing that the PHILEC case was decided on December
10, 2014, while the petition was filed with the CA only on February 24,
2014, consequently, the PHILEC decision applies to the instant case.
Anent petitioner’s allegation that he had not obtained
knowledge of the prescriptive period stated in the PHILEC decision
because of the proximity of time from its promulgation to the filing of
the petition with the CA, there was no proof presented that the decision
had not yet been published in the court’s website at the time of the
filing of the petition with the CA.
As the PVA decision is already final and executory when
petitioner filed the petition with the CA, the CA correctly dismissed
the petition since it has no more appellate jurisdiction to review the
decision. In Aliviado, et al. v. Procter and Gamble Phils, Inc.,[29] We held:
The doctrine of finality of judgment is grounded on fundamental
considerations of public policy and sound practice that at the risk of
occasional errors, the judgment of adjudicating bodies must become final
and executory on some definite date fixed by law. The Supreme Court
reiterated that the doctrine of immutability of final judgment is
adhered to by necessity notwithstanding occasional errors that may
result thereby, since litigations must somehow come to an end for
otherwise, it would “be even more intolerable than the wrong and
injustice it is designed to correct.”
WHEREFORE, the petition for review is DENIED. The
Amended Decision dated March 3, 2016 and the Resolution dated June 9,
2016 of the Court of Appeals in CA G.R. SP No. 139266 are hereby AFFIRMED.
SO ORDERED.
Carpio, (Chairperson), Perlas-Bernabe, Caguioa, and Reyes, Jr., JJ., concur.
[1] Penned by Associate
Justice Remedios A. Salazar-Fernando, and concurred in by Associate
Justices Priscilla J. Baltazar-Padilla and Socorro B. Inting; rollo, pp. 49-51A.
[2] Id. at 53-54.
[3] Id. at 95.
[4] Id. at 96-140.
[5] Id. at 141.
[6] Id. at 143.
[7] Id. at 144.
[8] Id. at 145-152.
[9] Id. at 153.
[10] Id. at 154-158.
[11] Id. at 159.
[12] Id. at 645-646.
[13] Id. at 241-242.
[14] Id. at 243.
[15] Id. at 543-544.
[16] Id. at 543-554.
[17] Id. at 553.
[18] Id. at 51-A.
[19] Id. at 54.
[20] Id. at 12.
[21] Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Hyatt (SAMASAH NUWHRAIN) v. Magsalin, 665 Phil. 584, 594 (2011), citing Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Hyatt NUWHRAIN v. Bacungan, 601 Phil. 365, 370 (2009), citing Luzon Development Bank v. Association of Luzon Development Bank Employees, 319 Phil. 262, 271 (1995); Alcantara, Jr. v. Court of Appeals, 435 Phil. 395, 403 (2002); and Nippon Paint Employees Union-Olalia v. Court of Appeals, 485 Phil. 675, 680 (2004).
[22] 749 Phil. 686 (2014).
[23] Philippine Electric Corporation (PHILEC) v. Court of Appeals, supra, at 707-710. (Emphasis ours)
[24] SGMC Realty Corporation v. Office of the President, 393 Phil. 697, 704-705 (2000).
[25] 649 Phil. 213 (2010).
[26] Labao v. Flores, et al., supra, at 224-225.
[27] Philippine Electric Corporation (PHILEC) v. Court of Appeals, supra note 22, at 709-710.
[28] 502 Phil. 749 (2005).
[29] 665 Phil. 542, 551 (2011). (Resolution)