No. L-80609. August 23, 1988

FACTS:

Marilyn Abucay, a traffic operator of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company was accused by two complainants having demanded and received from them the total amount of P3,800.00 in consideration of her promise to facilitate approval of their applications for telephone installation. After investigations and hearings, she was found guilty.

Abucay filed a complaint with Ministry of Labor and Employment claiming she had been illegally removed but such complaint was dismissed for lack of merit. However the Labor Arbiter awarded Abucay of financial assistance amounting to one month pay for every year of service.

PLDT questioned the validity of award as having been made with grave abuse of discretion.

NLRC in its decision finds that award of separation pay as financial assistance is equitable taking into consideration her long years of service to the company.