MANSALAY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, PETITIONER, VS. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION AND RAMON TADEO, JR., RESPONDENTS.

No rule is more settled than that in case of illegal dismissal of
an employee he should be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority
rights and with back wages not exceeding three years.^[1]
Even in final decisions awarding backwages in excess
of this ceiling, this ruling must apply.^[2]
In this case, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) chose not to
adhere with fidelity to this doctrine.

In a decision promulgated by the NLRC, private respondent was
found to have been illegally dismissed from employment by petitioner so he was
ordered reinstated with back wages from the date of dismissal until his actual
reinstatement.  This decision was
affirmed by this Court.  At the execution
of the judgment, the NLRC caused the computation of the back wages due private respondent from July 6,
1981 to February 1, 1987 amounting to P46,152.70 over the objection of
petitioner anchored on several rulings of this Court to the effect that the
back wages awarded in a case of illegal dismissal
should not exceed three (3) years.  The
NLRC directed that petitioner pay back wages to private respondent in the aforestated amount plus additional back wages from February 1, 1987 until he is
reinstated.  The NLRC also issued an
alias writ of execution on June 30,
1987.  A motion for
reconsideration and/or appeal from the alias writ of execution was denied by
the NLRC in a resolution dated March 23, 1988.  Hence, this suit.

The petition is denominated as a petition for review on certiorari
under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court which is
not the proper remedy.  However,
in the interest of justice the same is hereby treated as a special civil action
for certiorari under Rule 65 which is the approriate
remedy.

The petition is impressed with merit.  Even if the decision of the NLRC that was
being enforced through execution has become final and executory,
the same should be interpreted and implemented in that in cases of illegal
dismissal, the back wages that the employee should be entitled to should be for
a period of not exceeding three (3) years. 
The excuse of the NLRC that the decision become final and executory and cannot be modified is puerile.  Such decision is subject to this rule.^[3]
Any decision or order granting backwages in excess of
three (3) years is null and void as to the excess.  A departure therefrom
constitutes a grave abuse of discretion.

The Court reiterates that the faithful adherence to precedents is
the enduring cornerstone in the administration of justice.  The NLRC should keep this in mind.  It is to be hoped that no more petition of
this nature shall find its way to this Court.

As to the
contention of petitioner that private respondent should not be ordered
reinstated as he had secured
gainful employment in another school, the matter should be left for further determination
by the NLRC so that if private respondent cannot be reinstated, he should be
awarded separation pay of one (1) month pay for every year of service.

WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby GRANTED.  The alias writ of execution issued by the
NLRC dated June 30, 1987
and the resolution of March 23, 1988
are hereby set aside.  The NLRC is hereby
directed to enforce the payment of back wages to private respondent not
exceeding three (3) years and to determine if the reinstatement of private
respondent is still proper under the present circumstances of the parties.  We make no pronouncement as to costs.  This decision is immediately executory.

SO ORDERED.

Narvasa, (Chairman), Cruz, Griño-Aquino, and Medialdea, JJ., concur.

^[1]
Mercury Drug Co., Inc. vs. Court of Industrial Relations, 56 SCRA 694
(1974); City Service Corp. Workers Union vs. City Service Corporation,
135 SCRA 564 (1985); Lepanto Consolidated Mining
company vs. Encarnacion, 136 SCRA 256 (1985);
Philippine Airlines, Inc. vs. NLRC, 126 SCRA 223 (1983); People’s Bank
and Trust Co. vs. People’s Bank and Trust Co. Employees Union, 69 SCRA
10 (1976); Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd. Employees Association – NATU vs.
Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd., 76 SCRA 50, (1977).

^[2]
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. vs. The Hon.
Executive Labor Arbiter, et al., G.R. No. 77437, June 23, 1988; Panay Railways, Inc. vs. National Labor Relations
Commission, 137 SCRA 480 (1985); Durabuilt Recapping
Plant & Co. vs. NLRC, 152 SCRA 328, (1987).

^[3]
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. vs. The Honorable
Executive Labor Arbiter, et al., supra.