- Petitioner
- Heirs of Eleuterio O. Pasague
- Respondent
- Manila North Harbor Port
- Citation
- G.R. No. 231634
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Decided
- November 20, 2017
Validity of employment termination due to tuberculosis under authorized causes provision of the Labor Code
Summary
The heirs of deceased employee Eleuterio O. Pasague challenged his termination by Manila North Harbor Port, Inc. due to tuberculosis. The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals decision upholding the validity of the termination under Article 284 of the Labor Code as an authorized cause, since Eleuterio suffered from tuberculosis not curable within six months and his continued employment would be prejudicial to the health of co-employees. The Court cited established jurisprudence allowing termination for health reasons when supported by medical certification from competent public health authorities. However, the employer's failure to comply with Labor Code notice requirements entitled the employee to nominal damages. This case reinforces the balance between protecting workplace health and ensuring procedural due process in employment termination.