1975 / Jul

G.R. No. L-30736 - JULY 1975 - PHILIPPINE JURISPRUDENCE CASE NUMBERCASE TITLE G.R. No. L-30736July 11, 1975 Lirag Textile Mills, Inc., et al. vs. Courtof Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-21814July 15, 1975 Director of Lands vs. Melecio Abanzado, et al. G.R. No. L-28017July 15, 1975 Philippine Commercial and Industrial Bank, et al. vs. William Pfleider, et al. G.R. No. L-30543July 15, 1975 People of the Philippines vs. Rodrigo Cawili G.R. No. L-30727July 15, 1975 City of Ozamiz, et al. vs. Serapio S. Lumapas, et al. G.R. No. L-34897July 15, 1975 Raul Arellano vs. Court of First Instance of Sorsogon, et al. G.R. No. L-37312July 15, 1975 Marcos B. Comilang vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-37662July 15, 1975 RCPI vs. PCEEWF (FCWF) G.R. No. L-39721July 15, 1975 Braulio Bernabe vs. Ambrosio M. Geraldez G.R. No. L-39324July 16, 1975 Catalino Magdangal, et al. vs. Hawaiian-Philippine Company, et al. A.M. No. P-15July 17, 1975 Alfonso Guevarra, et al. vs. Eulalio Juanson A.M. No. P-55July 17, 1975 Esperanza Sarmiento vs. Florencio M. Dagdag G.R. No. L-37645July 17, 1975 Jesus L. Santos vs. Mariano Castañeda, Jr. G.R. No. L-38137July 17, 1975 Jose M. Castillo vs. Court of Appeals, et al. A.M. No. 32-MJJuly 18, 1975 Leon Franada, et al. vs. Vicente M. Ericta, Jr. A.M. No. P-107July 18, 1975 Antonio Palafox, Jr. vs. Charito Akut, et al. In re AmparoJuly 18, 1975 In Re: Pedro A. Amparo (1974 Bar Candidate) G.R. No. L-22375July 18, 1975 Capital Insurance and Surety Co., Inc. vs. Plastic Era Co., Inc., et al. G.R. No. L-24754July 18, 1975 Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. P. J. Kiener Company, Ltd. et al. G.R. No. L-29678July 18, 1975 Josefina Lodovica vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-39381July 18, 1975 Felisa Lim vs. Court of Appeals, et al. A.M. No. 202July 22, 1975 Rene P. Ramos vs. Moises R. Rada A.M. No. 72-MJJuly 22, 1975 Igmedio T. Li vs. Jose H. Mijares A.M. No. P-105July 22, 1975 Aurea G. Peñalosa vs. Ligaya P. Salayon A.M. No. P-167July 22, 1975 Alfredo T. Mendoza vs. Francisco C. Eclavea A.M. No. T-344July 22, 1975 In Re: Pedro P. Tongson G.R. No. L-25012July 22, 1975 Republic vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-26544July 22, 1975 Nonato Barroso vs. Castrense C. Veloso, et al. G.R. No. L-28853July 22, 1975 Bicol Federation of Labor vs. G. S. Cuyugan, et al. G.R. No. L-28905July 22, 1975 Tiu Po vs. Lily Lim Tan, et Al G.R. No. L-28967July 22, 1975 Amelia G. Tible vs. Jose C. Aquino G.R. No. L-30477July 22, 1975 Crescente Victorino vs. Felix Ello, et al. G.R. No. L-30915July 22, 1975 Republic vs. Workmen's Compensation Commission, et al. G.R. No. L-31150July 22, 1975 Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatshappij N.V. vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-37635July 22, 1975 Cresencio Martinez vs. Leopodo B. Gironella G.R. No. L-38196July 22, 1975 Federico Pineda, et al. vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-39677July 22, 1975 Inter-Regional Development Corporation vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-39990July 22, 1975 People of the Philippines vs. Rafael Licera A.M. No. 301-MJJuly 25, 1975 Pablo Fetalino vs. Cesar L. Macalisang A.M. No. 306-MJJuly 25, 1975 Monica Sarmiento vs. Raymundo R. Cruz A.M. No. 532-MJJuly 25, 1975 Paula S. Quizon, Et. al. vs. Jose G. Baltazar, Jr. A.M. No. 610-MJJuly 25, 1975 George P. Suan vs. Delsanto Resuello A.M. No. 936July 25, 1975 Fermina Legaspi Daroy, et al. vs. Ramon Chaves Legaspi A.M. No. P-1July 25, 1975 Cirilo Tinaha vs. Benjamin Maravilla G.R. No. L-19462July 25, 1975 Antonio V. Zaragoza vs. Enrique A. Diaz, et al. G.R. No. L-22781July 25, 1975 Bienvenido Capulong vs. Acting Commissioner of Customs G.R. No. L-24917July 25, 1975 People of the Philippines vs. Getulio Verzo, et al. G.R. No. L-25434July 25, 1975 Arsenio N. Roldan, Jr. vs. Francisco Arca G.R. No. L-26872July 25, 1975 Villonco Realty Company vs. Bormaheco, Inc., et al. G.R. No. L-27408July 25, 1975 City of Bacolod, et al. vs. Eduardo D. Enriquez, et al. G.R. No. L-28271July 25, 1975 Smith, Bell and Co. (Phil.), Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue G.R. No. L-28399July 25, 1975 Compania Maritima, et al. vs. United Seamen's Union of the Philippines, et al. G.R. No. L-30343July 25, 1975 People of the Philippines vs. Severo Mengote, et al. G.R. No. L-31460July 25, 1975 Generoso Villanueva Transportation Co., Inc. vs. Leticia B. Locsin, et al. G.R. No. L-32052July 25, 1975 Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration vs. Court of Industrial Relations G.R. No. L-33502July 25, 1975 Federico Cabrejas, et al. vs. Luis P. Dongallo, et al. G.R. No. L-34952July 25, 1975 Ramon D. Bagatsing, et al. vs. A. Melencio Herrera, et al. G.R. No. L-38135July 25, 1975 Hilario C. Antonio vs. Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. G.R. No. L-38624July 25, 1975 People of the Philippines vs. Conrado Bautista, et al. G.R. No. L-40511July 25, 1975 Mara, Inc. vs. Justiniano C. Estrella, et al. G.R. No. L-40879July 25, 1975 In Re: Maximo Pamplona, et al. vs. Municipal Judge, et al. G.R. No. L-22006July 28, 1975 Basilio Perez, et al. vs. Nicolas Mendoza, et al. G.R. No. L-21231July 30, 1975 Concordia Laluan, et al. vs. Apolinario Malpaya, et al. G.R. No. L-28546July 30, 1975 Venancio Castañeda, et al. vs. Pastor D. Ago, et al. G.R. No. L-33713July 30, 1975 Eusebio B. Garcia vs. Ernesto S. Mata, et al. A.C. No. 775July 31, 1975 Benjamin Bayot vs. Jesus R. Blanca A.M. No. 1236July 31, 1975 Bernarda Argana vs. Virgilio Anz. Cruz A.M. No. 143July 31, 1975 In Re: Apolinar O. Flores A.M. No. 392July 31, 1975 Luisa De Nacional vs. Segundo M. Zosa A.M. No. 866-CJJuly 31, 1975 Miguel Agilada vs. Aloysius C. Alday A.M. No. 899-MJJuly 31, 1975 Melquiades Udani, Jr. vs. Alfonso T. Pagharion G.R. No. L-22493July 31, 1975 Island Sales, Inc. vs. United Pioneers General Construction Company, Et. Al G.R. No. L-23035July 31, 1975 Philippine Nut Industry, Inc. vs. Standard Brands Incorporated, et al. G.R. No. L-26363July 31, 1975 Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Co., Inc. vs. Workmen's Compensation Commission, et al. G.R. Nos. L-26478-79July 31, 1975 Heirs of Anselma Tugadi, et al. vs. Manila Railroad Company (Pnr), et al. G.R. No. L-27088July 31, 1975 Heirs of Batiog Lacamen vs. Heirs of Laruan G.R. No. L-30822July 31, 1975 Eduardo Claparols, et al. vs. Court of Industrial Relations, et al. G.R. No. L-31685July 31, 1975 Ramon A. Gonzales vs. Imelda R. Marcos, et al. G.R. No. L-35377-78July 31, 1975 People of the Philippines vs. Camilo Pilotin, et al. G.R. No. L-36424July 31, 1975 Integrated Construction Services, et al. vs. Lorenzo Relova, et al. G.R. No. L-38224July 31, 1975 Central Bank of the Philippines vs. Court of Appeals, et al. G.R. No. L-38388July 31, 1975 Gabriel Loquias vs. Cesario Rodriguez, et al. G.R. No. L-38577July 31, 1975 C. K. San vs. Elias B. Asuncion, et al. G.R. No. L-40403July 31, 1975 Ruperta Constantino vs. Numeriano C. Estenzo G.R. No. L-40796July 31, 1975 Republic Bank vs. Mauricia T. Ebrada The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation, Inc. Lirag Textile Mills, Inc., et al. vs. Courtof Appeals, et al. Director of Lands vs. Melecio Abanzado, et al. Philippine Commercial and Industrial Bank, et al. vs. William Pfleider, et al. People of the Philippines vs. Rodrigo Cawili City of Ozamiz, et al. vs. Serapio S. Lumapas, et al. Raul Arellano vs. Court of First Instance of Sorsogon, et al. Marcos B. Comilang vs. Court of Appeals, et al. RCPI vs. PCEEWF (FCWF) Braulio Bernabe vs. Ambrosio M. Geraldez Catalino Magdangal, et al. vs. Hawaiian-Philippine Company, et al. Alfonso Guevarra, et al. vs. Eulalio Juanson Esperanza Sarmiento vs. Florencio M. Dagdag Jesus L. Santos vs. Mariano Castañeda, Jr. Jose M. Castillo vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Leon Franada, et al. vs. Vicente M. Ericta, Jr. Antonio Palafox, Jr. vs. Charito Akut, et al. In Re: Pedro A. Amparo (1974 Bar Candidate) Capital Insurance and Surety Co., Inc. vs. Plastic Era Co., Inc., et al. Commissioner of Internal Revenue vs. P. J. Kiener Company, Ltd. et al. Josefina Lodovica vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Felisa Lim vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Rene P. Ramos vs. Moises R. Rada Igmedio T. Li vs. Jose H. Mijares Aurea G. Peñalosa vs. Ligaya P. Salayon Alfredo T. Mendoza vs. Francisco C. Eclavea In Re: Pedro P. Tongson Republic vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Nonato Barroso vs. Castrense C. Veloso, et al. Bicol Federation of Labor vs. G. S. Cuyugan, et al. Tiu Po vs. Lily Lim Tan, et Al Amelia G. Tible vs. Jose C. Aquino Crescente Victorino vs. Felix Ello, et al. Republic vs. Workmen's Compensation Commission, et al. Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatshappij N.V. vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Cresencio Martinez vs. Leopodo B. Gironella Federico Pineda, et al. vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Inter-Regional Development Corporation vs. Court of Appeals, et al. People of the Philippines vs. Rafael Licera Pablo Fetalino vs. Cesar L. Macalisang Monica Sarmiento vs. Raymundo R. Cruz Paula S. Quizon, Et. al. vs. Jose G. Baltazar, Jr. George P. Suan vs. Delsanto Resuello Fermina Legaspi Daroy, et al. vs. Ramon Chaves Legaspi Cirilo Tinaha vs. Benjamin Maravilla Antonio V. Zaragoza vs. Enrique A. Diaz, et al. Bienvenido Capulong vs. Acting Commissioner of Customs People of the Philippines vs. Getulio Verzo, et al. Arsenio N. Roldan, Jr. vs. Francisco Arca Villonco Realty Company vs. Bormaheco, Inc., et al. City of Bacolod, et al. vs. Eduardo D. Enriquez, et al. Smith, Bell and Co. (Phil.), Inc. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Compania Maritima, et al. vs. United Seamen's Union of the Philippines, et al. People of the Philippines vs. Severo Mengote, et al. Generoso Villanueva Transportation Co., Inc. vs. Leticia B. Locsin, et al. Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration vs. Court of Industrial Relations Federico Cabrejas, et al. vs. Luis P. Dongallo, et al. Ramon D. Bagatsing, et al. vs. A. Melencio Herrera, et al. Hilario C. Antonio vs. Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. People of the Philippines vs. Conrado Bautista, et al. Mara, Inc. vs. Justiniano C. Estrella, et al. In Re: Maximo Pamplona, et al. vs. Municipal Judge, et al. Basilio Perez, et al. vs. Nicolas Mendoza, et al. Concordia Laluan, et al. vs. Apolinario Malpaya, et al. Venancio Castañeda, et al. vs. Pastor D. Ago, et al. Eusebio B. Garcia vs. Ernesto S. Mata, et al. Benjamin Bayot vs. Jesus R. Blanca Bernarda Argana vs. Virgilio Anz. Cruz In Re: Apolinar O. Flores Luisa De Nacional vs. Segundo M. Zosa Miguel Agilada vs. Aloysius C. Alday Melquiades Udani, Jr. vs. Alfonso T. Pagharion Island Sales, Inc. vs. United Pioneers General Construction Company, Et. Al Philippine Nut Industry, Inc. vs. Standard Brands Incorporated, et al. Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Co., Inc. vs. Workmen's Compensation Commission, et al. Heirs of Anselma Tugadi, et al. vs. Manila Railroad Company (Pnr), et al. Heirs of Batiog Lacamen vs. Heirs of Laruan Eduardo Claparols, et al. vs. Court of Industrial Relations, et al. Ramon A. Gonzales vs. Imelda R. Marcos, et al. People of the Philippines vs. Camilo Pilotin, et al. Integrated Construction Services, et al. vs. Lorenzo Relova, et al. Central Bank of the Philippines vs. Court of Appeals, et al. Gabriel Loquias vs. Cesario Rodriguez, et al. C. K. San vs. Elias B. Asuncion, et al. Ruperta Constantino vs. Numeriano C. Estenzo Republic Bank vs. Mauricia T. Ebrada The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation, Inc.

Manila

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. L-30736 July 11, 1975

LIRAG TEXTILE MILLS, INC. and FELIX K. LIRAG,petitioners,
vs.
COURTOF APPEALS and CRISTAN ALCANTARA,respondents.

R E S O L U T I O N

ESGUERRA,J.:

The issues raised in the petitioners' motion for reconsideration having been extensively discussed in the decision, this Court pronounces with definite certainty that the provisions of Republic Act 1052, as amended, are not applicable to the case at bar. The reason is simple and obvious. There is an express agreement between petitioner Lirag Textile Mills, Inc. and private respondent Cristan Alcantara as to theperiod of the latter's employmentin theformer's firm, that definite periodstarting from Alcantara's employment up tothe time Alcantara may voluntarily resign or when petitioner Lirag Textile Mills may remove Alcantarafor a valid cause or causes. It is clear that the duration of the employment agreed upon extends from the time when the employment of Alcantara commenced up to the time when he voluntarily resigns, or up to the time Alcantara by his act or acts creates a valid cause or causeswhich would justify petitioner Lirag Textile Mills in terminating his employment.

Here petitioner Lirag Textile Mills, Inc.terminatedprivate respondent Alcantara's employmentwithout a valid causebecause its contention of "serious reverses, both in terms of pecuniary loss and in market opportunities"was found by both the trial and appellate courts and by us as false and allegedin bad faith. It thereby committed a breach of contract which made it liable toAlcantara for damages (Art. 1170 of the Civil Code).

We clearly stated in the decision that the original nature of the complaint in this case was for damages and that petitioner Lirag Textile Mills, Inc. acted in bad faith when it committed that breach of contract because it "tried its very best both in the trial court and in the respondent Appellate Court to convince both courts that it suffered "serious losses both in terms of pecuniary loss and in market opportunities" as a valid cause for the termination of private respondent Alcantara's employment, said petitioners knowing fully well that such was not the truth as said allegation was a falsehood".ℒαwρhi৷

As this Court said:

Its bad faith in committing the breach of the contract of employment was compounded when petitioners as appellants in the respondent Appellate Court tried to raise for the first time the question of private respondent Alcantara's alleged lack of skill in its desperate effort to find a "valid cause" for that wrongful breach.The very act of petitioners in trying to pull the wool over the eyes of both the trial court and the respondent Appellate Court as to its true financial condition in its attempt to establisha false valid cause for its wrongful act is not only indicative of fraud and bad faith but likewise highly reprehensible because it is a deliberate distortion of the truth to subvert the ends of justice.(Emphasis supplied) .

As to the belated contention that the award in the decision of the trial court,which has been affirmed by the Appellate Court and by Us, of "P500.00 a month until the whole amounts due the private respondent are fully paid and settled by petitioner" is in the "nature of a penalty founded exclusively on delay in making payment of the amounts awarded and in the context of attending circumstances is oppressive and unconscionable, aside from being a penalty on the right to litigate", it is enough to say that the trial court awarded that amount in the concept of actual damages for salaries not received because of the wrongful act or breach of contract committed by petitioner Lirag Textile Mills, Inc. and Felix Lirag as defendants in that case. It is to be noted thatalthough the trial court awarded in addition moral damages and attorney's feesto respondent Alcantara, the respective amounts of P5,000 and P3,000 given to him are nominal, considering the nature and extent of the breach of contract perpetrated in bad faith by petitioner Lirag Textile Mills, Inc. It is significant also that no award of exemplary damage was awarded, although it wasproper to give it. We do not consider the award as oppressive and unconscionable, nor a penalty on the right to litigate because the amount givenis reasonable taking into account the character of the breach of obligation andthe damage incurred by private respondent Alcantara who gave up a permanent jobupon inducement of petitioner Felix Lirag, only to suffer later by the wrongfulact of the employer.

The award of damages is just to compensate, by a close approximation as far as human calculation may permit, the adverse effects of the wrong done to the victim. It cannot be considered as imposing a penalty on the right to litigate because the entity under obligation to pay the award has been clearlyshown by the evidence to be liable. If that circumstance notwithstanding the entity still persisted in sustaining this litigation, then its persistence would but show its readiness to assume the risk and bear the consequences of its tenacity in refusing to give the adverse party its just due.

WHEREFORE,the motion for reconsideration is denied and this denial is final and conclusive.

Castro (Chairman), Makasiar, Muñoz Palma and Martin, JJ., concur.

Teehankee, J., is on leave.