1/5/2021
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Seeking a reinstatement of the LA's decision, petitioner files the instant petition for
review. Petitioner avers that Section 7 of R.A. 10022 should not have been applied
because it was declared unconstitutional in Sameer Overseas Placement Agency, Inc. v.
Cabiles.[21]
Petitioner prays for the following awards:
1. Reinstatement of the LA's award of
a. SR40,250.00 salary for the unexpired portion of the contract;
b. SR1,100.00 excess airfare ticket expense; and
c. 10% attorney's fees;
2. Petitioner's latest salary for one month;
3. 12% annual interest on his latest salary and on the reimbursement of
his placement fee;
4. Moral and exemplary damages; and
5. Legal interest on judgment award.
Our Ruling
The instant petition is partly meritorious. We shall discuss the issues seriatim.
Petitioner is entitled to
salary equivalent to the
unexpired portion of the
contract
The CA incorrectly reduced the award for petitioner's salary to SR13,800.00. In
Sameer,[22] this Court struck down the phrase "or for three (3) months for every year
of the unexpired term, whichever is less"[23] under Section 7 of R.A. 10022 because
the same phrase was already declared unconstitutional in R.A. 8042 or the Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.[24] Petitioner is, thus, entitled to "his
salaries for the unexpired portion of his employment contract" - the operative clause of
Section 7. As such, the LA's computation of SR40,250.00 shall be reinstated.
Petitioner is entitled to
SR1,100.00
as
reimbursement
for
his
airfare ticket
Petitioner claimed that he paid SR3,100.00 as airfare to the Philippines but was only
reimbursed SR2,000.00 by Al-Adhamain.[25] Respondents countered that it was Alhttps://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/65786
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