THE Supreme Court has stopped a Quezon City Regional Trial Court from quickly enforcing its order to the state-run National Power Corp. to pay P33.75 billion to the 5,648 employees that it dismissed illegally in 2003, saying that could bankrupt the power producer and the government as well.
The high court’s Third Division issued its “status quo order” on Jan. 7 following Napocor’s petition, and it restrains the lower court from immediately executing its order on Dec. 23 last year compelling Napocor to pay P33.75 billion to the dismissed employees, 10 percent of that amount in attorneys’ fees, and P1.012 billion to the court.
“By garnishing and effectively freezing its monthly financial receivables from power customers, NPC would be unable to support and sustain its operational and maintenance expenses—including those needed to finance its monthly fuel supply requirement, payment of capital expenditures, and… the salaries of respondent NPC’s employees,” the Court said.
On Dec. 2 last year, the high court ordered Napocor’s officials to explain why they should not be held in contempt for ignoring its order rejecting a National Power Board resolution dismissing Napocor’s 5,648 employees. It ordered the board to reinstate the employees or give them a separation package.
The employees who sued the company were members of the NPC Drivers and Mechanics Association and the NPC Employees and Workers’ Union.
On Dec. 23 last year, the lower court ordered Napocor to pay the dismissed employees and issued notices of garnishment to Manila Electirc Co., Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Electricity Marketing Corp. and Philippine National Bank.
But on Jan. 7 the high court ordered Napocor and Quezon City clerk of court and ex-officio sheriff Perlita Vistan-Ele to “maintain the status quo in this case prevailing before the issuance of the resolution… that no NPC assets/ deposits shall be garnished until further orders from this Court.”
The Court also ordered the dismissed workers to comment on the power firm’s motion seeking to reconsider its Dec. 2 order today, Monday. –Rey E. Requejo, Manila Standard Today
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
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Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
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