4/6/2021
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to deny the award of their money claims despite evidence to the contrary.[23]
The Ruling of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
In the Decision[24] dated December 21, 2010, the NLRC reversed and set aside the
findings of the LA and ruled in favor of respondents.[25] It struck down as contrary to
law the Addendum of respondents since it diminished the benefits provided in the
original contract approved and submitted to the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA).[26] The NLRC further gave credence to respondents' assertion
that they were forced to sign the Addendmn for fear of losing their employment since
they were already in a foreign land, aside from their outstanding loans which they
obtained to support the expenses for their deployment.[27]
The NLRC was, likewise, convinced that Beltran was illegally dismissed. For the NLRC,
Beltran's immediate filing of the complaint four days after she was repatriated belied
petitioners' allegation that she voluntarily resigned and preterminated her employment
contract. Moreover, the circumstances surrounding Beltran's execution of the
notification of termination of her employment would suggest that she was:being asked
to go home by her employer who had control over her.[28]
The dispositive portion of the Decision reads, viz.:
WHEREFORE, the decision of the Labor Arbiter is hereby REVERSED and SET
ASIDE and a new one entered finding complainant Michele Beltran to have
been illegally dismissed and that ordering all Respondents to solidarily pay
Complainants the following in Philippines peso at the rate of exchange
prevailing at the time of payment.
Complainant
Michelle Beltran
1. full unexpired
portion of contract
NT$207,360
(NT$17,280.00 x
12)
2. salary
differentials
NT$48,000
(NT$4,000 x 12)
3. refund of
placement fee
P25,000.00
4. refund of plane
ticket
P10,000.00
5. moral damages
P10,000.00
6. exemplary
-P
damages
5,000.00
sub-total
NT$255,360
P50,000.00
7. 10% attorney's
-P
25,536
fees
5,000.00
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