Case No.

519

Manila Public Schools Teachers Association vs. Laguio Jr.

G.R. No. 95445
August 6, 1991
Article III, Section VIII

Facts:
There were mass actions by 800 Public School Teachers which was caused by the alleged
failure of authorities to act upon the teacher’s grievances such as the immediate payment of due
chalk , clothing allowances, 13th month pay arising from the salary standardization law, and a
few others more.

Even on September 17, 1990, the mass actions continued which was a Monday and a
school day. Some of the teachers who participated in the mass actions did not hold classes that
day. The secretary of education filed cases against those teachers who participated in the mass
actions on the grounds of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, gross violation of Civil
Service Law, absence without official leave and the likes and placed them on a 90-day
preventive suspension period.

Issue:
W/n employees in public service prohibited in conducting strikes..

Held:
Yes, The SC held that the mass actions held by the teachers shall be considered strikes
because their main purpose was the stoppage of or absence from work. Employees in public
service do not have the right to strike because this constitutes a disturbance in public service. In
addition, employment in the government is governed by law and the terms and conditions of
employment are affected through statutes and administrative rules and regulations, not by
collective bargaining agreements. In this case the teachers absented from their work in order to
participate in the mass action that was happening on a Monday.

Prepared By: Ma-yr-zar Martin B. Teruel