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.
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