THE National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) ordered the prompt distribution of around P2 million worth of payment to the seven dismissed workers of FoodPanda Philippines.
This was after NLRC dismissed FoodPanda’s appeal and directed an immediate distribution of payments to the dismissed food delivery riders, who were members of Davao United Delivery Riders Association Inc (Dudrai), within ten days.
“Atty. Darwin Adolfo Tenaja is instructed to immediately pay the complainants their proportionate judgment award and submit proof of receipt within ten days,” the NLRC order read, which was released September 28. Tenaja is the legal counsel for the seven dismissed FoodPanda delivery riders.
The cash bond amounting to exactly P2,223,466.83 was deemed as available to “partially satisfy the judgment award”, which means this money will be distributed among the seven dismissed riders.
The recent NRLC order also states that during a conference held on September 28, 2023, the seven complainants unanimously agreed to have the check issued under Tenaja’s name.
Their counsel will then claim and encash the check and distribute the funds according to the original computation of the judgment award.
“WHEREFORE, the NLRC Cashier of this Regional Arbitration Branch is hereby ordered to release the total amount of TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX and 83/100 PESOS (P2,223,466.83) deposited under Official Receipt No. 5837508 dated 11 August 2022 and issue the corresponding check in the name of ATTY. DARWIN ADOLFO TENAJA [sic],” the NLRC order read.
The NLRC order resolves a motion filed by the complainants, through their counsel, requesting the release of the cash bond posted by the respondents. The complainants seek to use the funds to satisfy the monetary award granted to them in accordance with the Writ of Execution. They request that a check be issued in their counsel's name for their convenience.
The Writ of Execution, issued on 12 October 2022, ordered the Sheriff to collect a total amount of P4,289,242.67 from FoodPanda Philippines, which includes the judgment award, execution fee, and deposit fee.
It can be noted that NLRC has ordered FoodPanda Philippines to pay its former regular employees, who were illegally dismissed last year for more than P2 million in July 2022.