SC lifts suspension of six UE employees

The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) lifting the suspension of membership of six employees of the University of the East (UE) from the University of the East Employees’ Association (UEEA).

In a 24-page decision penned by Justice Minita Chico-Nazario, the court’s second division ruled that the CA did not commit a mistake in issuing its Oct. 24, 2001 decision and Feb. 15, 2002 resolution, which upheld the Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region’s (DOLE-NCR) ruling in favor of the six suspended members of the UEEA.

UEEA president Ernesto Verceles ordered the indefinite suspension of the six employees from membership in the UEEA in Oct. 1997 for allegedly spreading false rumors and creating disinformation among its members.

The employees filed a complaint for illegal suspension, willful and unlawful violation of the UEEA constitution and by-laws and refusal to render financial and other reports against the UEEA officers before the DOLE-NCR.

Nazario said the indefinite suspension slapped against the six UE employees was illegal for lack of due process because no investigation was conducted by the UEEA officer.

She added that the passage of the UEEA resolution, showing the other UEEA members’ support for Verceles "cannot redeem the petitioners from their predicament."

"All unions should, in accordance with the law, hold regular meetings and promptly render financial reports to negate any suspicion of dishonesty on the part of its officers," Nazario said.

She added that the obligation of UEEA officials to hold meetings and render financial reports was mandated by the union’s constitution and by-laws.