FACTS: The union filed complaints for unfair labor practice and illegal dismissal. They argue that the company closedown to prevent the formation of a union, but still a union was formed despite the interference of the company’s president. When a petition for certification election was filed, the company told the DOLE that they were shutting down due to business losses so the workers were given notices of termination. The LA ruled that there was no illegal dismissal instead it was a lawful retrenchment and that there was no proof that the closure was done for union busting. Also a CBA was already signed so the company can’t be said to be anti-union. The NLRC affirmed the decision. The CA dismissed the union’s appeal due to their failure to follow the Rules of Court. The union now contends that technicalities have no room in labor cases, where the Rules of Courts is only applied to effectuate the objectives of the Labor Code.
ISSUE: May the case be dismissed based on mere technicalities?
HELD: The SC ruled in favor of the union and remanded the case back to the CA. The CA dismissed the case due to the failure to submit copies of the Amended and Supplemental Complaints, the Notice and Memorandum of Appeal based on Sec 3 Rule 46. The SC held that since certified true copies of the decision were attached to the petition it obviated the need for the other documents that the CA found fatally omitted. The attached LA Decision laid down the substance of the Amended and Supplemental Complaints and the NLRC Resolutions discussed the grounds for the appeal and the arguments raised therein, thereby negating the need for the Notice and Memorandum of Appeal. The SC held that the policy is encourage full adjudication on the merits,
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