AC 4826; (April, 1999) (Digest)
G.R. No. A.C. No. 4826. April 30, 1999.
ROSALIA VILLARUEL, ET AL. (EMPLOYEES OF THE NATIONAL OFFICE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES), complainants, vs. ATTY. JOSE A. GRAPILON and the INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES BOARD OF GOVERNORS, respondents.
FACTS
The complainants, employees of the IBP National Office, filed a petition against Atty. Jose A. Grapilon and the IBP Board of Governors. The Supreme Court, in a resolution dated January 27, 1999, ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed employees and admonished the IBP Board for failing to comply with a prior status quo ante order that mandated the employees be kept on suspension with pay pending proceedings. The respondents filed a motion for partial reconsideration, praying for the dismissal of the complaints for lack of jurisdiction over the termination dispute, the upholding of the dismissals as valid, and the recall of the admonition against the IBP Board.
ISSUE
The primary issues were: (1) whether the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over the termination dispute; (2) the propriety of the reinstatement order; and (3) the propriety of the admonition against the IBP Board.
RULING
The Court partially granted the motion for reconsideration. It upheld its exercise of original jurisdiction over the dismissal case, finding no cogent reason to reconsider its earlier ruling. The Court also maintained its admonition of the IBP Board for its failure to obey the status quo order. However, on the issue of reinstatement, the Court agreed with the respondents’ contention that the proceedings had created an “intolerable atmosphere” and “uneasiness and tension” among the parties. Citing established jurisprudence, the Court ruled that when reinstatement is no longer feasible or practical due to severely strained relations, the payment of separation pay is an appropriate alternative. Consequently, the Court modified its earlier resolution by allowing the respondents to pay the complainants separation pay in lieu of their physical reinstatement. All other aspects of the January 27, 1999 resolution were affirmed.