Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 168697 December 14, 2009
GINA M. TIANGCO and SALVACION JENNY MANEGO, Petitioners,
vs.
UNIWIDE SALES WAREHOUSE CLUB, INC. and JIMMY GOW, Respondents.
R E S O L U T I O N
CORONA, J.:
This is a petition for review on certiorari1 of the February 9, 2005 decision2 and June 28, 2005 resolution3 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. SP No. 85474.
Petitioners Gina M. Tiangco and Salvacion Jenny Manego4 were employees of respondent Uniwide Sales Warehouse Club, Inc. (USWCI), a domestic corporation. Respondent Jimmy N. Gow was the president of the corporation.5
Petitioner Tiangco was employed by respondent USWCI on June 10, 1997 as concession manager. In 1998, she was designated as group merchandising manager for the fashion and personal care department with a monthly salary of ₱45,000. On the other hand, petitioner Manego was initially employed as buyer on January 16, 1984 but was promoted as senior category head with a monthly salary of ₱25,000.6
On July 5, 2001 and July 13, 2001, petitioners Tiangco and Manego respectively filed separate complaints for illegal dismissal, payment of separation pay as well as award of moral and exemplary damages in the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). The complaints, docketed as NLRC NCR Case Nos. 00-09-03512-2001 and 00-09-04757-2001, were consolidated.7
In his order dated January 11, 2002, the labor arbiter8 considered the consolidated cases as submitted for decision.9
On February 13, 2002, the respondents filed a manifestation and motion praying that the proceedings on the consolidated cases be suspended on the ground that respondent USWCI had been placed in a state of suspension of payments by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as early as April 11, 2000 and a receivership committee had in fact been appointed.10
On February 26, 2002, the labor arbiter suspended the proceedings until further orders from the SEC.11
On March 23, 2004, petitioners filed a motion to reopen case on the ground that the SEC, in its order dated December 23, 2002, had already approved the second amendment to the rehabilitation plan (SARP) of respondent USWCI.12
In their opposition to the motion, respondents argued that the proceedings in the consolidated cases must remain suspended inasmuch as the mere approval of the SARP did not constitute a valid ground for their reopening.13
On June 16, 2004, the labor arbiter issued an order directing the parties to file their memoranda. He further stated that even without the memoranda, the cases would be ordered submitted for decision after the lapse of the period for filing.14
This prompted respondents to file a petition for certiorari15 with prayer for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in the CA, imputing grave abuse of discretion on the part of the labor arbiter.
On September 17, 2004, the CA granted the application for a TRO.16 In its February 9, 2005 decision, it granted the petition and reversed the June 16, 2004 order of the labor arbiter. It ruled that proceedings on the cases should remain suspended until further orders from the SEC citing Rubberworld (Phils.), Inc. v. NLRC17 and Sections 6(b), 11 and 27, Rule 4 of the 2000 Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation.18 It denied reconsideration on June 28, 2005.
Hence, this petition.
The issue determinative of this case is whether the consolidated illegal dismissal cases can be reopened at this point of the SEC proceedings for respondent USWCI’s rehabilitation.
This issue is far from novel. We resolved the same question as early as 1999 in Rubberworld (Phils.), Inc. v. NLRC19 and since then, we have reiterated the ruling in several other cases.20
The relevant law dealing with the suspension of payments for money claims against corporations under rehabilitation is Presidential Decree No. (PD) 902-A,21 as amended. Section 6 (c) thereof provides:
Sec. 6. In order to effectively exercise such jurisdiction, the [SEC]22 shall possess the following powers:
x x x x x x x x x
c) To appoint one or more receivers of the property, real and personal, which is the subject of the action pending before the [SEC] in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court in such other cases whenever necessary in order to preserve the rights of the parties-litigants and/or protect the interest of the investing public and creditors: xxx Provided, finally, that upon appointment of a management committee, rehabilitation receiver, board, or body, pursuant to this Decree, all actions for claims against corporations, partnerships or associations under management or receivership pending before any court, tribunal, board or body shall be suspended accordingly. (Emphasis supplied)1avvphi1
The term "claim," as contemplated in Section 6 (c), refers to debts or demands of a pecuniary nature.23 It is the assertion of rights for the payment of money.24 Here, petitioners have pecuniary claims—the payment of separation pay and moral and exemplary damages.
In Rubberworld, we held that a labor claim is a "claim" within the contemplation of PD 902-A, as amended. This is consistent with the Interim Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation which came out in 2000.25 Section 1, Rule 2 of the Interim Rules defines "claims" as follows:
Sec. 1. Definition of Terms - For purposes of these Rules:
x x x x x x x x x
"Claim" shall include all claims or demands of whatever nature or character against a debtor or its property, whether for money or otherwise.
Thus, labor claims are included among the actions suspended upon the placing under rehabilitation of employer-corporations. We stated in Rubberworld:
It is plain from the foregoing provisions of law that "upon the appointment [by the SEC] of a management committee or a rehabilitation receiver," all actions for claims against the corporation pending before any court, tribunal or board shall ipso jure be suspended. The justification for the automatic stay of all pending actions for claims "is to enable the management committee or the rehabilitation receiver to effectively exercise its/his powers free from any judicial or extra-judicial interference that might unduly hinder or prevent the 'rescue' of the debtor company. To allow such other actions to continue would only add to the burden of the management committee or rehabilitation receiver, whose time, effort and resources would be wasted in defending claims against the corporation instead of being directed toward its restructuring and rehabilitation."
x x x x x x x x x
The law is clear: upon the creation of a management committee or the appointment of a rehabilitation receiver, all claims for actions "shall be suspended accordingly." No exception in favor of labor claims is mentioned in the law. Since the law makes no distinction or exemptions, neither should this Court. Ubi lex non distinguit nec nos distinguere debemos. Allowing labor cases to proceed clearly defeats the purpose of the automatic stay and severely encumbers the management committee's time and resources. The said committee would need to defend against these suits, to the detriment of its primary and urgent duty to work towards rehabilitating the corporation and making it viable again. To rule otherwise would open the floodgates to other similarly situated claimants and forestall if not defeat the rescue efforts. Besides, even if the NLRC awards the claims of private respondents, as it did, its ruling could not be enforced as long as the petitioner is under the management committee.
x x x x x x x x x
Article 217 of the Labor Code26 should be construed not in isolation but in harmony with PD 902-A, according to the basic rule in statutory construction that implied repeals are not favored. Indeed, it is axiomatic that each and every statute must be construed in a way that would avoid conflict with existing laws. True, the NLRC has the power to hear and decide labor disputes, but such authority is deemed suspended when PD 902-A is put into effect by the [SEC].
x x x x x x x x x
This Court notes that PD 902-A itself does not provide for the duration of the automatic stay. Neither does the Order of the SEC. Hence, the suspensive effect has no time limit and remains in force as long as reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Order.27 (Emphasis supplied)
In Philippine Airlines, Inc. v. Zamora,28 we emphasized that "this Court’s adherence to the abovestated rule has been resolute and steadfast as evidenced by its oft-repeated application in a plethora of cases."29
Petitioners seek to have the suspension of proceedings lifted on the ground that the SEC already approved respondent USWCI’s SARP. However, there is no legal ground to do so because the suspensive effect of the stay order is not time-bound. As we held in Rubberworld, it continues to be in effect as long as reasonably necessary to accomplish its purpose.30 This is clarified in the Interim Rules:
Rule 4
x x x x x x x x x
Sec. 6. Stay Order. – If the court finds the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it shall, not later than five (5) days from the filing of the petition, issue an Order (a) appointing a Rehabilitation Receiver and fixing his bond; (b) staying enforcement of all claims, whether for money or otherwise and whether such enforcement is by court action or otherwise, against the debtor, its guarantors and sureties not solidarily liable with the debtor; xxx
x x x x x x x x x
Sec. 11. Period of the Stay Order. – The stay order shall be effective from the date of issuance until the dismissal of the petition or the termination of the rehabilitation proceedings.
x x x x x x x x x
Sec. 27. Termination of Proceedings. – In case of the failure of the debtor to submit the rehabilitation plan, or the disapproval thereof by the court, or the failure of the rehabilitation of the debtor because of failure to achieve the desired targets or goals as set forth therein, or the failure of the said debtor to perform its obligations under the said plan, or a determination that the rehabilitation plan may no longer be implemented in accordance with its terms, conditions, restrictions, or assumptions, the court shall upon motion, motu proprio, or upon the recommendation of the Rehabilitation Receiver, terminate the proceedings. The proceedings shall also terminate upon the successful implementation of the rehabilitation plan. (Emphasis supplied)
We ruled in Sobrejuanite v. ASB Development Corporation31 that the Interim Rules, under Section 1, Rule 1 thereof, are applicable although (as in this case) the petition for declaration of suspension of payments was filed prior to the effectivity of such rules:32
Section 1. Scope — These Rules shall apply to petitions for rehabilitation filed by corporations, partnerships, and associations pursuant to [PD 902-A], as amended.
We note that the Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation was approved on December 2, 2008 and took effect on January 16, 2009. Section 2, Rule 9 thereof provides:
Sec. 2. Transitory Provision. – Unless the court orders otherwise to prevent manifest injustice, any pending petition for rehabilitation that has not undergone the initial hearing prescribed under the Interim Rules or Procedure for Corporate Rehabilitation at the time of effectivity of these Rules shall be governed by these Rules.
Considering that respondent USWCI’s SARP had already been approved before then, the 2000 Interim Rules still govern this case.
In sum, when the labor arbiter proceeded with the consolidated cases despite the SEC suspension order, he exceeded his jurisdiction to hear and decide illegal dismissal cases and the CA correctly reversed his June 16, 2004 order.
WHEREFORE, the petition is hereby DENIED.
No costs.
SO ORDERED.
RENATO C. CORONA
Associate Justice
Chairperson
WE CONCUR:
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice |
DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
Associate Justice |
MARIANO C. DEL CASTILLO
Associate Justice |
MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.
Associate Justice |
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Resolution were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
RENATO C. CORONA
Associate Justice
Chairperson
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution and the Division Chairperson’s Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Resolution had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice
Footnotes
* Per Special Order No. 805 dated December 4, 2009.
** Per Special Order No. 802 dated November 25, 2009.
1 Under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.
2 Penned by Associate Justice Delilah Vidallon-Magtolis (retired) and concurred in by Associate Justices Perlita J. Tria Tirona (retired) and Jose C. Reyes, Jr. of the Fourth Division of the Court of Appeals. Rollo, pp. 26-34.
3 Id., p. 41.
4 "Salvacion Jenny Samañego" in some parts of the records.
5 Id., p. 27.
6 Id.
7 Id.
8 Melquiades Sol D. Del Rosario. Id., p. 236.
9 Id., p. 27.
10 Id., pp. 28, 306-330. On June 25, 1999, respondent USWCI filed a Petition for Declaration of Suspension of Payments, Formation and Appointment of a Rehabilitation Receiver/Committee and Approval of Rehabilitation Plan docketed as SEC Case No. 06-99-6340. Id., p. 289.
11 Id.
12 Id., p. 29.
13 Id.
14 Id.
15 Under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court.
16 Rollo, p. 30.
17 365 Phil. 273 (1999).
18 Rollo, pp. 31-32.
19 Supra note 17.
20 Philippine Airlines, Inc. v. Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), G.R. No. 142399, 19 June 2007, 525 SCRA 29; Philippine Airlines, Inc. v. Zamora, G.R. No. 166996, 6 February 2007, 514 SCRA 584; Philippine Airlines, Inc. v. NLRC, G.R. No. 123294, 4 September 2000; Rubberworld [Phils.], Inc. v. [NLRC], 391 Phil. 318 (2000).
21 Reorganization of the [SEC] with Additional Powers and Placing the said Agency under the Administrative Supervision of the Office of the President.
22 Under RA 8799 (the Securities Regulation Code), jurisdiction over rehabilitation and suspension of payments was transferred from the SEC to the Regional Trial Courts. However, the SEC, pursuant to Section 5.2 of the same law, retains jurisdiction over pending suspension of payments/rehabilitation cases filed as of June 30, 2000 until finally disposed.
23 Uniwide Holdings, Inc. v. Jandecs Transportation Co., Inc., G.R. No. 168522, 19 December 2007, 541 SCRA 158, 163, citations omitted.
24 Id., citing Sobrejuanite v. ASB Development Corporation, infra note 3.
25 A.M. No. 00-8-10-SC.
26 Art. 217. Jurisdiction of [LAs] and the [NLRC]. – (a) Except as otherwise provided under this Code, the LAs shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide, xxx the following cases involving all workers, xxx
x x x x x x x x x
2. Termination disputes; xxxx
27 Supra note 17, pp. 280-285
28 Supra note 20.
29 Id., p. 605.
30 Supra note 17, p. 285, citing BF Homes Incorporated v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 76879, 3 October 1990, 190 SCRA 262, 268.
31 G.R. No. 165675, 30 September 2005, 471 SCRA 763.
32 Id., p. 772.
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