NLRC: Ouster of N. Ecija university president illegal

By Manny Galvez

CABANATUAN CITY  – The ouster of the president of a Methodist-run university here almost two years ago was illegal and unjustified, according to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

The NLRC thus ordered the immediate reinstatement of Manuel Palomo Sr. as president of the 68-year-old Wesleyan University Philippines (WUP), considered as the oldest private university in the province.

Palomo was unseated on March 11, 2012 in a resolution by the WUP’s board of trustees. It was affirmed on the same day by the United Methodist Church’s College of Bishops (UMC-COB), which selects the university president and members of the board of trustees.

In a 28-page decision signed by NLRC Region 3 labor arbiter Mariano Bactin, the commission also ordered the WUP board of trustees and the COB to indemnify Palomo with P8.544 million in back wages; actual, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney’s fees. Palomo was represented in the labor suit by lawyer Valentino Alberto. 

Reacting to the NLRC decision, Palomo said he felt vindicated. “There is no winner or loser in this case as we all belong to the UMC. I sought the intervention of the NLRC because of the absence of any mediation and reconciliation efforts. I looked for avenues to right a wrong – that I was indeed illegally dismissed,” said Palomo, whose term was to expire this April 30.

“I don’t want my grandchildren to live with the thought that their grandfather did something wrong,” he said.

In a one-page notice of decision issued by labor arbitration associate Reynaldo Martin, the NLRC said the ruling shall be immediately executory even pending appeal and the WUP is directed to submit a report of compliance within 10 calendar days from receipt of the decision.

Posting of a bond by the WUP in case it intends to question the NLRC ruling shall not stay the execution for reinstatement, according to the notice.

The NLRC said it found “substantial, convincing and competent evidence” that Palomo was illegally and unjustifiably dismissed as WUP president after a careful evaluation of the facts presented.