Practice question
A tribunal finds dismissal illegal but finds no evidence of bad faith, fraud, oppression, or another qualifying basis for moral damages. May it award moral damages solely because dismissal was illegal?
- Yes, every illegal dismissal proves moral injury and bad faith conclusively.
- Yes, because proof is never required in labor cases.
- Yes, if the complaint uses the words moral damages.
- No; illegality alone does not establish the separate requisites.
- No damages can ever accompany an illegal-dismissal judgment.
Legal references
- Bartolome v Toyota Quezon Avenue, G.R. No. 254465, April 3, 2024, damages, attorney’s fees and separation in lieu of reinstatement: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2024/apr2024/gr_254465_2024.html
- Labor Code, DOLE consolidated 2022 edition, Articles 219, 258–260, 262–264, 274 and 278–279: https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/15242/PHL15242%202022.pdf; Article 111.
- Civil Code, Articles 2208, 2217, 2219, 2229 and 2232: https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1949/ra_386_1949.html
Answer this question in flashcards to review your response and continue practicing.