Clarissa U. Mata v. Alexander · G.R. 147597

Petitioner: Clarissa U. Mata
Respondent: Alexander M. Agravante
Citation: G.R. No. 147597
Court: Supreme Court
Division: Third Division
Ponente: Nachura, J.
Decided: August 6, 2008

Summary

Former security guards filed labor complaints against their employer Bessang Pass Security Agency with NLRC and also requested PNP investigation and license cancellation, sending copies to multiple government agencies. The security agency owner sued for damages claiming these actions damaged her business reputation and caused contract losses. The Regional Trial Court awarded P1,000,000.00 moral damages, but the Court of Appeals reversed, finding no bad faith in the guards' legitimate exercise of rights to seek government intervention for labor violations. The Supreme Court affirmed, ruling that absent proof of malice or bad faith, the guards' actions in filing complaints with appropriate government agencies could not constitute abuse of rights under Civil Code Articles 19 and 21. The case establishes that legitimate grievance filing with proper government channels, even if damaging to business reputation, does not warrant damages absent malicious intent.

Statutes applied

Civil Code, Art. 19

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By the Intellegal Editorial Board · August 6, 2008

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