GMPI wins labor case vs. former Sales Director

QUEZON CITY, philippines (Dec 23, 2011) - The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) favored GMA Marketing and Productions, Inc. (GMPI), the marketing arm of broadcast giant GMA Network, Inc. (GMA), in a labor case filed by its former Sales Director Corazon Guison.

In a Resolution issued on November 15, 2011, the Fifth Division of the NLRC presided by Commissioner Leonardo Leonida reversed and set aside the Decision of Labor Arbiter Joel Lustria dated January 31, 2011 which declared Guison's dismissal from employment as illegal.

The NLRC dismissed the complaint of Guison for illegal dismissal and money claims amounting to almost P2 million for lack of merit.

Guison was terminated from service in May 2010 for her acts of misrepresentation which resulted in undue payments of agency commissions by GMPI/GMA to an advertising agency and her collection of unauthorized commissions which are all prejudicial to GMPI and its client. The unauthorized collection of commissions is punishable by termination under GMPI's Revised Code of Offenses and Disciplinary Action. These acts, as found by the NLRC, constituted serious misconduct.

The NLRC also said that Guison was not denied procedural due process because she was given a chance to bring her counsel during the administrative hearing but it so happened that her counsel was not available. After the hearing, Guison was given another opportunity to explain her side and she submitted her written explanation pursuant to said directive. Thus, the NLRC held that Guison was sufficiently afforded the opportunity to defend herself.

According to the NLRC, there is substantial evidence on record supporting Guison's dismissal for cause. GMPI proved that Guison committed acts constituting serious misconduct resulting to loss of trust and confidence which justified the termination of her employment and forfeiture of her company benefits. (GMA 7 Press Release)