Employer told to pay P2.4M to ex-employees

The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) in Central Visayas has ordered a businesswoman from Cebu to pay P2.4 million to her former employees.

The NRLC found Prisca Niña Mabatid, PinoyCare Visa Center president, to have constructively dismissed singer-entrepreneur Eva delos Santos and her husband, Ruben David.

“We resolve to grant the complainant’s prayer for damages due to the blatant display of malice and bad faith in the termination of the complainants’ (services),” reads the NRLC 7’s ruling penned by Labor Arbiter Bertino Ruaya Jr.

The couple said that the NLRC’s ruling is a “great relief” for them from the harassment they received from Mabatid.

“It’s not all about the money. It’s about vindication,” David told reporters yesterday.

The couple filed the labor case against Mabatid for constructive illegal dismissal and unpaid salaries and commission, among others.

David worked as PinoyCare Visa country manager for the Middle East while Eva served as his co-speaker.

Last July 29, 2017, the couple received their notice of termination of employment for alleged insubordination for refusing to receive the company’s memoranda and failing to submit their written explanation.

Prior to their termination, the couple said they were shamed and humiliated in front of several people during a supposed company meeting last July 4, 2017.

In the decision, the labor arbiter pointed out that Mabatid could have handled the matter in a “more professional and humane way” by confronting the couple privately.

“This is a clear act of discrimination, disdain, and insensibility, which more than satisfies us to find that the complainant were indeed constructively dismissed,” NLRC said.

Regardless of the gravity of the alleged offense, due process and prudence in verifying the accusation first hand should be observed by the employer, the labor arbiter added.

The couple also filed a libel complaint against Mabatid for allegedly besmirching their reputation in a Facebook live interview.

Mabatid earlier sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation 7 in filing an estafa complaint against the couple before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Mabatid said she had bought a townhouse from the couple and paid P2.5 million but later found out that there’s another owner of the property.

The couple, however, said that Mabatid agreed to assume the balance of the bank loan for the townhouse when the latter bought it. /