MANUEL LARA, ET AL. vs. PETRONILO DEL ROSARIO, JR. | G.R. No. L-6339 | April 20, 1954

MANUEL LARA, ET AL. vs. PETRONILO DEL ROSARIO, JR.
G.R. No. L-6339, April 20, 1954 

Facts

In 1950 defendant Petronilo Del Rosario, Jr., owner of twenty-five taxi cabs or cars, operated a taxi business under the name of ―Waval Taxi.‖ He employed among others three mechanics and 49 chauffeurs or drivers, the latter having worked for periods ranging from 2 to 37 months. On September 4, 1950, without giving said mechanics and chauffeurs 30 days advance notice, Del Rosario sold his 25 units or cabs to La Mallorca, a transportation company, as a result of which, according to the mechanics and chauffeurs above-mentioned they lost their jobs because the La Mallorca failed to continue them in their employment. They brought this action against Del Rosario to recover compensation for overtime work rendered beyond eight hours and on Sundays and legal holidays, and one month salary (mesada) provided for in article 302 of the Code of Commerce because the failure of their former employer to give them one month notices. Subsequently, the three mechanics unconditionally withdrew their claims. So only the 49 drivers remained as plaintiffs.  

Issue

Whether or not the claim of the plaintiffs-appellants for overtime compensation under the Eight-Hour Labor Law is valid. 

Ruling

The Supreme Court held that the month pay (mesada) under article 302 of the Code of Commerce, article 2270 of the new Civil Code (Republic Act 386) appears to have repealed said Article 302 when it repealed the provisions of the Code of Commerce governing Agency. This repeal took place on August 30, 1950, when the new Civil Code went into effect, that is, one year after its publication in the Official Gazette. The alleged termination of services of the plaintiffs by the defendant took place according to the complaint on September 4, 1950, that is to say, after the repeal of Article 302 which they invoke. Moreover, said Article 302 of the Code of Commerce, assuming that it were still in force speaks of ―salary corresponding to said month.‖ commonly known as ―mesada.‖ If the plaintiffs herein had no fixed salary either by the day, week, or month, then computation of the month‘s salary payable would be impossible. Article 302 refers to employees receiving a fixed salary.

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