461 Phil. 422
SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:
"WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby ordered, as follows:Petitioner interposed an appeal to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). However, in an Order [4] dated February 27, 1998, the NLRC dismissed the appeal for petitioner's failure to attach thereto the original copy of the surety bond posted as well as the joint declaration of the employer, counsel, and the bonding company that the surety bond is genuine."SO ORDERED."
- Denying the Motion to Dismiss, for lack of merit.
- Ordering respondents to jointly and severally pay complainant the total sum of US $ 2,640.00 as payment of the salaries, fixed overtime pay and fixed leave pay;
- Dismissing the claim and counter-claim for damages and attorney's fees for lack of merit.
"The petition is bereft of merit.Petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration but it was denied by the Appellate Court, in a Resolution dated November 14, 2000.
"x x x
"The posting of a surety bond is a jurisdictional requirement. The attachment of proof that a bond has been posted signifies that such requirement has been satisfied. It is the proof that serves as basis for the NLRC to acquire jurisdiction on the appeal. It is not incumbent upon the commission to check on the genuineness of the bond. Rather it is upon the petitioners to prove its genuineness. A mere xerox copy cannot prove that the bond posted is genuine.
"We are therefore not convinced that the NLRC gravely abused its discretion in dismissing the appeal. What we rather see is its exercise of prudence in applying the provisions of the law. Petitioners are, however, not as careful. The negligence on the part of the counsel in the discharge of his duty cannot be approbated if we are to have an orderly administration of justice. Their negligence cannot be justified on the ground that their messenger lacked familiarity with the proper procedure for they could have checked the records themselves. A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to him and his negligence in connection therewith shall render him liable (Canon 18.03, Code of Professional Responsibility)
"x x x
"Anent the issue of illegal dismissal, it is petitioners' contention that Cortina was not illegally dismissed, rather his contract of employment has been terminated due to the sale of the vessel on which Cortina was embarked. x x x
"We do not acquiesce in the contention of petitioners. The dismissal of Cortina constitutes discharge without cause. As correctly ruled by the regional arbiter, `the agency has not introduced any evidence showing that `transfer' of ownership of the vessel where complainant was assigned is a justifiable reason for the termination of his contract of employment.' (Rollo, 36) When there is no showing of a clear, valid and legal cause for the termination of employment, the law considers the matter a case of illegal dismissal and the burden is on the employer to prove that the termination was for a valid and authorized cause. (Cosep vs. National Labor Relations Commission, 290 SCRA 704 [1998]).
"x x x
"WHEREFORE, the petition is DISMISSED.
"SO ORDERED."
"SECTION 4. REQUISITES FOR PERFECTION OF APPEAL. (a) The Appeal shall be filed within the reglementary period as provided in Section 1 of this Rule; shall be verified by appellant himself in accordance with Section 4, Rule 7 of the Rules of Court, with proof of payment of the required appeal fee and the posting of a cash or surety bond as provided in Section 6 of this Rule; shall be accompanied by a memorandum of appeal in three (3) legibly typewritten copies which shall state the grounds relied upon and the arguments in support thereof; the relief prayed for; and a statement of the date when the appellant received the appealed decision, resolution or order and a certificate of non-forum shopping with proof of service on the other party of such appeal. A mere notice of appeal without complying with the other requisites aforestated shall not stop the running of the period of perfecting an appeal.The necessary import of the foregoing sections, as we held in Imperial Textile Mills, Inc. vs. NLRC,[5] is that "the perfection of an appeal in the manner and within the period prescribed by law is not only mandatory but jurisdictional, and failure to conform to the rules will render the judgment sought to be reviewed final and unappealable."
"x x x
"SECTION 6. BOND. In case of decision of the Labor Arbiter or the Regional Director involves a monetary award, an appeal by the employer may be perfected only upon the posting of a cash or surety bond. The appeal bond shall either be in cash or surety in an amount equivalent to the monetary award, exclusive of damages and attorney's fees.
"In case of surety bond, the same company shall be issued by a reputable bonding company duly accredited by the Commission or the Supreme Court, and shall be accompanied by:a) a joint declaration under oath by the employer, his counsel, and the bonding company, attesting that the surety bond posted is genuine, and shall be in effect until final disposition of the case.
"x x x."
"Petitioner did not present even an iota of evidence to prove that the vessel on which Cortina was embarked, was indeed sold. Neither did petitioner establish that the vessel was laid-up or the voyage was discontinued."WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Decision dated May 14, 2000 and Resolution dated November 14, 2000 of the Court of Appeals are hereby AFFIRMED.