Category: Philippine Star

The Supreme Court has ruled that barring employees from the workplace without a valid reason amounts to illegal dismissal.

In a May 19, 2025 decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the high court’s Second Division upheld labor arbiters’ findings that 12 workers of Constant Packaging Corp. were illegally dismissed.

The employees, hired as sorters and packers on a pakyaw (per output) basis, had complained about sub-minimum wages, 12-hour shifts seven days a week, and non-remittance of SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG contributions.

After filing a case before the Department of Labor and Employment, they were denied entry to the factory by a company security guard.

The company argued the workers were not dismissed and could return under their original pakyaw arrangement, insisting denial of entry did not equate to termination.

The National Labor Relations Commission had partially granted the workers’ plea but denied their motion for reconsideration. The Court of Appeals later affirmed the NLRC ruling.

The employees then elevated the case to the Supreme Court.

The ruling

The tribunal reversed the lower rulings, stressing that when an employee ready and willing to work is blocked without lawful cause, ‘it is a clear act of illegal dismissal.’

‘Thus, while voluntary resignation of the employee should be proven by the employer, the burden to prove the circumstances that led to the constructive dismissal is on the employee,’ the court said.

‘These circumstances that constitute discriminatory acts, insensibility, or disdain towards the employee should be clearly shown in evidence, such that the working environment created by the employer leaves the employee no other choice but to resign,’ it added.

In this case, the court ruled that the guard’s refusal to let workers in was itself an act of dismissal.

Since the termination was abrupt and without due process, the dismissal was unlawful.

Relief granted. The high court ordered Constant Packaging to pay the employees separation pay, back wages, service incentive leave and holiday pay.

However, it held that since they were on a pakyaw basis, they were not entitled to 13th-month pay.

The three-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers stretched their unbeaten streak to five games while the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats scored a breakthrough win in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum over the weekend.

Paul John Taliman bagged 19 points on top of five rebounds, one assist and two steals while the league’s 2023 MVP Kent Ivo Salarda nearly delivered a triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four steals as the Lancers pummeled the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Fighting Maroons, 92-74, to pull away further in the leaderboard with a perfect 5-0 record.

Not to be outdone, Rovello Robles cashed in 16 points, four rebounds and two steals while Zylle Cabellon added 10 points, two rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Lancers, who used a fierce second-half attack to thrash the Fighting Maroons.

Ahead by just six at halftime, 43-37, the Lancers staged a sizzling rally bridging the third and fourth quarters to lead by as much as 21 points, 83-62, that sent the Fighting Maroons reeling the rest of the way.

Andrew Padilla topped UP with a game-high 20 points laced with six rebounds and three assists.

AJ de los Reyes, Wenraye Sarol, and Kent Joshua Cabanlit combined for 33 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists but fell short in the end as the Fighting Maroons stayed listless in three starts.

In the other collegiate duel, the Wildcats outfoxed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 72-65, to give their new head coach Felix ‘Donbel’ Belano, Jr. his first victory.

Jerian Marc Abello was the man of the hour for the Wildcats with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals as they snapped a three-game jinx.

Regie Ayon, Bruce Angelo Pinuela, and John Rey Guinita connived for 27 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, and two steals while Christ Mark Codillo also made his presence felt with 12 rebounds to go with his seven points, two assists and a steal for the Wildcats, who never looked back after establishing a 13-point advantage, 59-46, early in the final period.

Keaton Clyde Taburnal finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals, Janjan Peteros scored 12 with one rebound, two assists, and three steals, while John Howard Taala had 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, and three steals but to no avail as the Panthers dropped to 1-2.

In high school play, the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters and the Benedicto College (BC) Baby Cheetahs both improved their records to 2-1 after trouncing their respective rivals.

Jape Mamza fired 22 points with eight rebounds, one assist and three steals while John Day Jorquia posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds to power the Baby Webmasters to a 77-57 rout of the USPF Baby Panthers.

In the other result, Kyle Nalisa produced an all-around performance of 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and four blocks while Lance Andrei Villarin and Hans Alcantara tallied 22 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and three blocks in between them as the Baby Cheetahs sent the San Carlos School of Cebu (SCSC) Baby Warriors crashing to their third straight loss, 62-48.

A Chinese national was arrested in Parañaque City for allegedly trafficking Vietnamese women for sexual exploitation, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported yesterday.

Wang Gang, alias Kelvin Lee, was nabbed in an entrapment operation on Sept. 25 after he allegedly offered women to foreign clients for up to P70,000 per night.

Agents of the NBI Cybercrime Division posed as customers and arranged to meet the suspect in a Parañaque hotel where he reportedly agreed to deliver two Vietnamese women for P35,000 each.

After receiving the marked money, Wang was arrested. The women were rescued.

The suspect is facing charges for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Law.

Six activists arrested in 2018 during an alleged encounter between government troops and New People’s Army rebels in Mabinay Town in Negros Oriental have been freed by the court after being cleared of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Judge Marie Rose Inocando of the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 ruled that the prosecutors failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt and that the police handled the evidence poorly.

The decision will no longer be challenged, and the commander of the 302nd Brigade said they will do better case handling next time.

‘We always abide by the rule of law and we respect the decision of the court in the case of the Mabinay 6. We take this as a sign that we should improve when it comes to legalities during combat operations,’ said Brigadier General Jason Jumawan in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

We suppose we should be happy that they will handle cases better, but then again maybe we should also be wary.

Because that can mean that either they will take care not to accuse the wrong people anymore –or they will make sure to have enough evidence to make sure people are convicted, whether they are guilty or not.

Activists who go to educate farmers of their rights aren’t rebels. Rebels are those who take part in the armed struggle against the duly-elected government. Many people cannot make this distinction, especially those in the armed forces.

We cannot totally blame them for this. Their training to defend the country from threats both external and internal leaves little time for them to be taught the difference between those rebelling and those who are just pushing for positive change.

This isn’t limited to government troops. Remember the rampant red-tagging during the previous administration? Even those who were just doing their jobs like advocates for women’s rights, judges, lawyers, and even priests were lumped in with those who want to bring down the democracy.

We certainly hope Jumawan meant the former, that they will take care to no longer accuse the wrong people.

Kapamilya actress Chie Filomeno appealed to the public not to drag the names of Cebu’s Lhuillier family in her rumored breakup with fellow actor Jake Cuenca.

In an Instagram story, Chie addressed rumors linking her to businessman Matthew Lhuillier amid her alleged split with Jake.

“I’ve been reading and hearing a lot these past few days and I ask that my past relationship, my present life, and the Lhuillier family be left out of this issue,” Chie said. “They don’t deserve to be dragged into something that has nothing to do with them.”

“No further statements will be made at this time. I kindly ask that people refrain from speculation or intrusions into my private affairs. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” Chie briefly ended her statement.

In another Instagram story, Chie asked the public to respect her privacy.

“I may be a public figure, but I am not public property. I ask that my private life remain private,” she wrote.

Several hours later, Chie reposted a carousel she made last September 22 regarding support for the Philippines and a demand for accountability.

“I really don’t get why people meddle with someone else’s private life when there are more pressing matters, tulad po ng flood control, opo diba?” Chie wrote, accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji.

Chie and Matthew were linked, also beginning September 22, after the actress promoted the businessman’s Bisaya Brew beer.

Chie and Jake unfollowed each other three days after, fuelling speculations the actors had ended their relationship.

Sanitec officially unveiled JOMOO in the Philippines through a landmark event themed, ‘JOMOO: The Eos of Smart Living,’ marking the opening of its first showroom in Metro Manila and strategic partnership with Sanitec, the Bath and Kitchen Specialist.

The launch introduces one of the world’s leading sanitaryware brands to the local market, strengthening Sanitec’s portfolio of world-class bathroom solutions for Filipino homes and developments.

JOMOO is recognized as the #1 sanitaryware brand in China, with a brand value exceeding $25.22 billion and the World’s No.1 in Smart Toilet Sales.

With more than 350 global design awards-including “Best of Bath” in the iF Design Awards, ranked No. 1 globally in total awards for five consecutive years-JOMOO has contributed to projects such as the Great Wall of China, Ritz Carlton Residences in Jordan, Indonesian High-Speed Railway, The Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Madagascar.

Behind its success is an advanced manufacturing network: 15 high-end Smart Factories, 16 R and D centers and 10,000 high-end showrooms across 120 countries.

Its most groundbreaking achievement is the industry’s first “eco-friendly Dark Factory”-a fully automated, robotic facility that conserves energy, reduces waste and redefines sustainable manufacturing operating with precision and efficiency at a level impossible for traditional manufacturing.

Through Sanitec, JOMOO brings a full range of intelligent, sustainable and user-friendly bathroom solutions-from smart toilets to cabinets, showers and faucets-designed to elevate everyday living while remaining accessible.

‘Tonight, we are unveiling what tomorrow’s bathrooms can be and will be,’ said Jensen Go, vice president of Sanitec Import Ventures Inc.

‘This partnership with JOMOO is a testament to our mission of providing Filipinos with carefully selected brands and products that empower us to build bigger, better and wiser.’

Adding star power to the occasion, celebrity guest Alden Richards graced the event, highlighting the significance of the launch in ushering in a new era of smart living for Filipino homes. As he shared, ‘It’s like owning a piece of the future.”

With its proven expertise, award-winning innovation and global presence, JOMOO is poised to become the top choice of developers, architects, designers and homeowners seeking modern and intelligent bathroom solutions.

This launch marks the beginning of a new era in bathroom design-where technology, sustainability, and style converge with a clear invitation: to ‘Start Your Smart Life’