FACTS:
Reinier Pacific International Shipping, Inc. (Reinier Shipping) hired Captain Francisco Guevarra as master of MV NOL SHEDAR. Reinier Shipping sent him a notice relieving him of command due to negligence. Guevarra filed a case for illegal dismissal against Reinier Shipping. The Labor Arbiter found the dismissal illegal and ordered Reinier Shipping to pay Guevarra. Reinier Shipping appealed to the NLRC and obtained a 15-day extension to file a petition for certiorari before the CA. The extended period fell on a Saturday and Reinier Shipping filed its petition on the following Monday. The CA dismissed the petition as filed out of time.
ISSUES:
- Whether or not the CA erred in dismissing Reinier Shipping's petition for being filed out of time.
RULING:
- The Supreme Court reverses the decision of the CA. A.M. 00-2-14-SC clarifies that the filing of pleadings on the next working day is deemed on time when the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The rule applies when the original due date is extended. In this case, Reinier Shipping obtained a 15-day extension that fell on a Saturday. The CA held that Reinier Shipping should have filed its petition before the Saturday. However, the Supreme Court holds that Reinier Shipping had until the following Monday, the next working day, to file its petition. The clear language of the rule provides for this. The decision of the CA is reversed and remanded for further proceedings.