Source: http://lawlibrary.chanrobles.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=83262:57262&amp;catid=1585&amp;Itemid=566
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 00:53:50+00:00

Document:
FLP ENTERPRISES INC. – FRANCESCO SHOES/EMILIO FRANCISCO B. PAJARO, Petitioners, v. MA. JOERALYN D. DELA CRUZ AND VILMA MALUNES, Respondents.
This is a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court filed by petitioners FLP Enterprises, Inc.- Francesco Shoes (FLPE) and Emilio Francisco B. Pajaro against respondents Ma. Joeralyn D. Dela Cruz and Vilma Malunes assailing the Court of Appeals (CA) Decision1 dated February 22, 2011 and Resolution2 dated August 9, 2011 in CA-G.R. SP No. 113326. The CA annulled and set aside the September 30, 20093 and January 11, 20104 Resolutions of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) affirming the December 8, 2008 Decision5 of the Labor Arbiter (LA) which dismissed respondents’ complaint for illegal dismissal.
Petitioner FLPE hired respondent Dela Cruz in 1991 and respondent Malunes in 1998 as sales ladies and assigned them both at its Alabang Town Center store in Muntinlupa City. On March 10, 2008, at around 10:00 a.m., it was discovered that the store’s sales proceeds for March 7 to March 9, 2008, amounting to P26,372.75, were missing. The investigating authorities found that it resulted from an “inside job” since the cash register remained closed and there was no indication of forced entry into the store. FLPE thus required respondents to explain in writing why they should not be terminated. It contended that respondents clearly violated its company policy prohibiting sales proceeds from being stored in the cash register. Accordingly, Dela Cruz and Malunes submitted their respective written explanations. They both denied the existence of such company policy and having knowledge thereof.
FLPE thereafter removed respondents from service, which took effect on May 26, 2008. Aggrieved, respondents filed a complaint for illegal dismissal with money claims against the company.
WHEREFORE, the instant complaint for illegal dismissal is hereby dismissed considering that the complainants were dismissed for just cause. The claim for overtime pay, ECOLA, separation pay and backwages is denied for lack of basis. Respondent FLP Enterprises, Inc., is ordered to pay proportionate 13th month pay for the year 2008 in the amount of ?3,921.67 for each complainant. Respondent Emilio Francisco Pajaro is absolved from liability.
All other claims are denied for lack of basis.
Upon appeal, the Third Division of the NLRC affirmed the LA Decision in its entirety. Subsequently, respondents elevated the case to the CA, imputing grave abuse of discretion on the NLRC’s part.
(5) legal interest of twelve percent (12%) per annum of the total monetary awards computed from the finality of this Decision, until their full satisfaction.
This case is remanded to the labor arbiter for computation, with reasonable dispatch, of petitioners’ total monetary awards.
FLPE filed a Motion for Reconsideration, but the CA denied it for lack of merit.
Thereafter, FLPE filed this petition to finally settle the singular issue of whether it validly dismissed respondents Dela Cruz and Malunes. It contends that because of the several previous incidents of theft in its retail outlets, it formulated a policy on October 23, 2003, requiring its sales staff to keep the sales proceeds in the stockroom instead of the cash register. It maintains that said policy was properly announced, posted, and implemented in all its retail outlets, particularly in Alabang Town Center. Despite that, respondents still refused to comply.
The Court finds the instant petition to be without merit.
4) such actions or omissions have occured repeatedly.
Nais naming pa-alalahanan ang lahat tungkol sa ating policy na ang benta ay dapat itago sa box ng sapatos sa loob ng stockroom.
At kung sino ang nagtago ay s’ya lang ang [nakakaalam] kung saan n’ya ito inilagay.
However, FLPE failed to establish that such a company policy actually exists, and if it does truly exist, that it was, in fact, posted and/or disseminated accordingly. Neither is there anything in the records which reveals that the dismissed respondents were informed of said policy. The company vehemently insists that it posted, announced, and implemented the subject Safekeeping Policy in all its retail stores, especially the one in Alabang Town Center. It, however, failed to substantiate said claim. It could have easily produced a copy of said memorandum bearing the signatures of Dela Cruz and Malunes to show that, indeed, they have been notified of the existence of said company rule and that they have received, read, and understood the same. FLPE could likewise have simply called some of its employees to testify on the rule’s existence, dissemination, and strict implementation. But aside from its self-serving and uncorroborated declaration, and a copy of the supposed policy as contained in the October 23, 2003 Memorandum, FLPE adduced nothing more.
In termination cases, the burden of proof rests on the employer to show that the dismissal is for a just cause.17 The one who alleges a fact has the burden of proving it; thus, FLPE should prove its allegation that it terminated respondents for a valid and just cause. It must be stressed that the evidence to prove this fact must be clear, positive, and convincing.18 When there is no showing of a clear, valid, and legal cause for the termination of employment, the law considers the matter a case of illegal dismissal.19 Unfortunately, FLPE miserably failed to discharge this burden. To rule otherwise and simply allow the presumption as to the existence and dissemination of the supposed company policy would lead to a proliferation of fabricated notices, and entice further abuse by unscrupulous persons. Workers could then be arbitrarily terminated without much of an effort, running afoul of the State’s clear duty to show compassion and afford the utmost protection to laborers.
Assuming arguendo that respondents were aware of the alleged company policy, FLPE failed to prove that they are guilty of disobedience amounting to gross and habitual neglect of duty. On March 9, 2008, Dela Cruz did not even report to work because it was her rest day. As for Malunes, she admitted putting the sales proceeds inside the cash register but she only did so upon the instructions of the store manager, who is basically part of management. There is likewise want of competent evidence showing that respondents have repeatedly violated said policy in the past.
WHEREFORE, the instant petition is DENIED. The Court of Appeals Decision dated February 22, 2011 and Resolution dated August 9, 2011 in CA-G.R. SP No. 113326 are hereby AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION. Petitioners FLP Enterprises, Inc.-Francesco Shoes and Emilio Francisco B. Pajaro are ORDERED to PAY respondents Ma. Joeralyn D. Dela Cruz and Vilma Malunes, among others, legal interest of twelve percent (12%) per annum of the total monetary awards, computed from judicial demand until June 30, 2013, and six percent (6%) per annum from July 1, 2013, and another six percent (6%) per annum from the time of the finality of this Decision until their full satisfaction.
Velasco, Jr., (Chairperson), Villarama,* Mendoza, and Leonen, JJ., concur.
1 Penned by Associate Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan Castillo, with Associate Justices Josefina Guevara-Salonga and Franchito N. Diamante, concurring; rollo, pp. 6-19.
9 P.J. Lhuillier Inc. v. NLRC, 497 Phil. 298, 309 (2005).
10Carlo F. Sunga v. Virjen Shipping Corporation, Nissho Odyssey Ship Management Pte. Ltd. and/or Captain Angel Zambrano, G.R. No. 198640, April 23, 2014.
11P. J. Lhuillier Inc. v. NLRC, supra note 9.
12AMA Computer College-East Rizal v. Ignacio, 608 Phil. 436, 453 (2009).
13Cavite Apparel, Incorporated v. Marquez, G.R. No. 172044, February 6, 2013, 690 SCRA 48, 57.
14 Kulas Ideas & Creations v. Alcoseba, G.R. No. 180123, February 18, 2010, 613 SCRA 217, 226.
17Ama Computer College-East Rizal v. Ignacio, supra note 12, at 454.
18MZR Industries, Marilou R. Quiroz and Lea Timbal v. Majen Colambot, G.R. No. 179001, August 28, 2013.
19Ama Computer College-East Rizal v. Ignacio, supra note 12, at 454.
20Glaxo Wellcome Philippines, Inc. v. NEW-DFA, 493 Phil. 410, 424-425 (2005).
21 Nathaniel N. Dongon v. Rapid Movers and Forwarders Co., Inc., and/or Nicanor E. Jao, Jr., G.R. No. 163431, August 28, 2013.
22Nacar v. Gallery Frames, G.R. No. 189871, August 13, 2013, 703 SCRA 439, 456.

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