SC rules vs PAL union for 2nd time

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has ruled against the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap) in its labor dispute with the Philippine Airlines, a case that is part of the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Voting 7-2 on Tuesday, March 13, the High Tribunal affirmed its earlier decision recalling a previous verdict that favored Fasap, according to insiders.

The Court has been accused of “flip-flopping” over this case.

On Oct. 2, 2009, the SC special third division affirmed a 2008 verdict ordering PAL to reinstate its retrenched employees belonging to Fasap. The High Tribunal reaffirmed this verdict on Sept 7, 2011, dismissing PAL’s motion for reconsideration.

After September 2011, however, PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza wrote the SC Clerk of Court 4 times to get an update on PAL’s motion for the SC to reconsider its verdict. Corona was already Chief Justice by then.

Finally on Oct. 4, 2011, the SC en banc ordered the recall of its Sept 7, 2011 resolution, prompting protests from Fasap against the “flip-flopping” Court.

Corona and PAL

In the Articles of Impeachment against Corona, the prosecution accused him of favoring PAL due to benefits he received from the company – such as a PAL Platinum card – and his close ties with Mendoza. The Fasap president even testified at the impeachment court.

The prosecution claimed in the impeachment trial that it was irregular for the Court to act on mere letters from a litigant. It said Corona influenced the Court to reach that verdict.

On Tuesday, March 13, the SC voted for the second time against Fasap.

Six justices took no part in the decision. They are Corona, and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Martin Villarama, Presbitero Velasco Jr, Teresita De Castro, and Mariano del Castillo.

Read the history of the PAL-Fasap dispute here. – Rappler.com