MANILA, Oct. 13, 2011—An official of the Association of Major Religious Association of the Philippines called on the magistrates to resign out of delicadeza for reopening the case of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association (FASAP) against Philippine Airlines (PAL).
AMRSP co-chairperson Sr Mary John Mananzan said the SC reversed its earlier “final” decision asking PAL to reinstate 1,400 retrenched flight attendants who went on strike in 1998 and ordering PAL owner Lucio Tan to pay P3 billion to FASAP.
“Hindi malayong marami ang mag-aklas at mag-rebelde sa ating mga kababayan dahil sa mga ganitong desisyon ng mga lider na supposedly pinagkakatiwalaan natin! Kaya’t for delicadeza, pwede ba, magbitiw na sila sa pwesto!” she said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
“I am really so disgusted! “Mananzan added.
In its resolution dated October 4, the SC took cognizance of the letter submitted by Atty. Estelito Mendoza questioning the composition of the SC’s Second Division that issued the September 7 ruling and recalled the said order.
The said ruling was actually a denial of PAL’s 2nd Motion for Reconsideration over the October 2, 2009 ruling also by the High Tribunal.
It may be recalled that in July 22, 2008, the SC ruled in favor of FASAP, which declared illegal the retrenchment of 1,400 flight attendants in 1998 until it was appealed by the flag carrier.
FASAP had claimed that the recall order was a prelude to the ultimate ploy to reverse the SC ruling using “naked power play“.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo also questioned the SC order believing it could set a bad precedent for future cases.
“Ano ang nangyari doon sa sinabi nila na ang desisyon ay with finality? Na wala ng pleading tapos binago. Sino pa ngayon ang makakaasa sa Supreme Court kung ganun na madali nilang baguhin ang kanilang desisyon?” he said.
Pabillo chairs the National Secretariat for Social Action—Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
He then called on the national government to put a stop on the recent cases of siding with the rich and powerful businessmen, instead of the underprivileged workers.
On the other hand, Pabillo also called on the public to stand-up to their belief and make their positions known regarding such issues. (CBCPNews)
