7/7/2021
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WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is
hereby rendered
dismissing complainant's claim for illegal dismissal for lack of merit.
However, [petitioners] are ordered to pay complainant Rolando B. Mesina
the sum of FOUR THOUSAND SAUDI RIYALS (SR4,000.00) or its peso
equivalent at the time of payment, representing payment of his separation
PayAll other claims are dismissed for lack of merit.
SO ORDERED.[20]
Ruling of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC):
Mesina subsequently filed an appeal with the NLRC. However, in its May 29, 2009
Decision,[21] the NLRC affirmed the findings of the Labor Arbiter. It held that Mesina's
dismissal was based on an authorized cause under the terms and conditions in his
employment contract, that is, an employee will be repatriated if his illness, if incurred
while working, is prolonged or is found to be permanent.[22] The dispositive portion of
said Decision reads:
WHEREFORE, the appealed Decision is hereby AFFIRMED and the appeal
of complainant is DISMISSED for lack of merit.[23]
Mesina filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the foregoing Decision, which the NLRC
denied in its February 26, 2010 Resolution.[24]
Ruling of the Court of Appeals:
Displeased, Mesina filed a Petition for Certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court
with the CA.[25] In said petition, he prayed that the NLRC's Decision and Resolution be
declared null and void for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion.[26]
In its March 11, 2014 Decision, the CA found that petitioners herein illegally dismissed
Mesina when his contract was pre-terminated and he was repatriated back to the
Philippines without any just or authorized cause.[27] Contrary to the NLRC's findings,
the CA held that MAZCO pre-terminated Mesina's contract and repatriated him without
any showing that his disease had been a prolonged one, or that such disease was found
to be permanent.[28]Furthermore, the appellate court pointed out that petitioners
herein "failed to prove, through the required Certification from a competent public
authority, that petitioner Mesina's disease was of such nature or was at such a stage
that the disease could not be cured within six (6) months even after proper medical
treatment, or, that petitioner's continued employment was prejudicial to his health or to
those of his colleagues."[29] The fallo of said Decision reads:
WHEREFORE, the Petition is GRANTED. The assailed Decision and
Resolution are SET ASIDE and REVERSED. A new one is rendered
DECLARING
private
respondents
Omanfil
International
Manpower
Development Corporation and Modh Al-Zoabi Technical Projects Corporation
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