G.R. No. 167938
2 of 9
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/feb2009/167938.htm
The facts are as follows:
Private respondent Multiline Resources Corporation (Multiline) is a recruitment agency
engaged in the deployment of workers to Saudi Arabia. Hanjin is the Saudi-based principal
of Multiline which also holds office in the Philippines.
On October 29, 1992, Ramos applied with Multiline for overseas employment as a barber.
After passing the examination and interview conducted by Multiline and submitting the
necessary travel documents, he signed his contract and job order. The contract specified
that Ramos was to work as a barber for twelve months for a monthly salary of US$ 265.
Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, Ramos proceeded to the office of Hanjin. However, he
was informed that the position he applied for had already been filled up and there was no
more vacancy. Ramos was thus forced to beg for food and to share sleeping quarters with
other Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. After five days, he returned to the Philippines.
Ramos then filed a Complaint
[4]
with the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) against Hanjin and Multiline for illegal dismissal/illegal
termination of contract.
In a Decision
[5]
dated September 26, 1995, the POEA Administrator ruled:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, respondents Multiline Resources Corporation,
Hanil Development Corporation and Country Bankers Insurance Corporation are hereby
ordered, jointly and severally, to pay complainant Lauro Ramos, the amount of USDollars:
THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (US$3,180.00) or its equivalent in
Philippine currency at the prevailing rate of exchange at the time of payment, representing
his salaries for the period of one (1) year, plus ten percent (10%) thereof, as and by way of
attorneys fees.
SO ORDERED.
[6]
Subsequently, Multiline appealed to the NLRC. Finding no merit in Multilines petition, the
same was denied in an Order dated March 28, 1996.
However, in an Order
March 28, 1996, as follows:
[7]
dated August 28, 1996, the NLRC set aside the Order of
On second look, however, we note that the POEA Administrator rendered his
decision on the above-entitled case on September 26, 1995. Considering that at said time,
the said Administrator already lost jurisdiction over this case (pursuant to Republic Act No.
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