GR 46562; (September, 1939) (Digest)
G.R. No. 46562. September 13, 1939.
BARDWIL BROS., petitioner, vs. THE PHILIPPINE LABOR UNION and THE COURT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, respondents.
FACTS
Petitioner Bardwil Bros. dismissed sixteen workers. The Philippine Labor Union filed a case before the Court of Industrial Relations (CIR), which ordered the reinstatement of the workers and the payment of their back wages from August 25, 1938. The CIR found that the dismissals were not due to a lack of work but were connected to the workers’ submission of a petition for wage increases and their participation in a subsequent strike. Bardwil Bros. challenged the CIR’s jurisdiction and the constitutionality of Commonwealth Act No. 103, arguing the CIR acted as a business manager by compelling the company to retain workers.
ISSUE
Whether the Court of Industrial Relations acted without or in excess of its jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion in ordering the reinstatement and payment of back wages to the dismissed workers.
RULING
No. The petition for certiorari is denied. The CIR acted within its jurisdiction under Commonwealth Act No. 103. The court’s review is limited to determining if the CIR’s conclusions are in accordance with law based on the facts it found. The CIR’s factual findings—that the dismissals were due to the workers’ petition and strike participation, not a bona fide lack of work—are binding and justify its orders for reinstatement and back wages. The constitutional challenge against Commonwealth Act No. 103 is unfounded as the CIR’s order was a proper exercise of its authority to settle industrial disputes and did not involve compelling the continuation of a business regardless of economic conditions, as no such factual finding was made.
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