kinalaman sa barkong ito maging dito sa Pilipinas o anumang
bansa.[31]chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
cralawLikewise,
the US$405.00 which he received in consideration of the
quitclaim is a credible and reasonable amount. He was truly entitled
thereto, no more and no less, given that he was sick for only less than a
month or from November 15, 2000 to December 13, 2000. The same would
not, therefore, invalidate the said quitclaim. As we held in Periquet v.
National Labor Relations Commission:[32]
cralawNot all waivers and quitclaims are invalid as against public
policy. If the agreement was voluntarily entered into and
represents a reasonable settlement, it is binding on the parties
and may not later be disowned simply because of a change of
mind. It is only where there is clear proof that the waiver was
wangled from an unsuspecting or gullible person, or the terms
of settlement are unconscionable on its face, that the law will
step in to annul the questionable transaction. But where it is
shown that the person making the waiver did so voluntarily,
with full understanding of what he was doing, and the
consideration for the quitclaim is credible and reasonable, the
transaction must be recognized as a valid and binding
undertaking.[33]chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
cralawAs a final note, let it be emphasized that the constitutional policy to
provide full protection to labor is not meant to be a sword to oppress
employers. The commitment of this Court to the cause of labor does not
prevent us from sustaining the employer when it is in the right.[34]
cralawWHEREFORE, premises considered, the petition is hereby DENIED for
lack of merit. The Decision and Resolution of the Court of Appeals in CAG.R. SP No. 84883 are AFFIRMED.Costs against the petitioner.
SO ORDERED.
ROMEO J. CALLEJO, SR.
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR: