Alpha Investigation and Security Agency, Inc. v.

NLRC
Case No. 12
G.R. No. 111722 (May 27, 1997)
Chapter V, Page 177, Footnote No.2
FACTS:
Petitioner provides security services. One of its clients is Don Mariano Marcos
State University (DMMSU). Security guards working in DMMSU filed before the Regional
Office of the DOLE a complaint against Petitioner for noncompliance with the current
minimum wage order. The Labor Arbiter rendered a decision holding Petitioner and
DMMSU solidarily liable for the salary differential owed to the security guards.
Petitioner alleges that payment of the wage increase should be borne by DMMSU.
ISSUE:
W/N Petitioner may be held jointly and severally liable with DMMSU for nonpayment
of minimum wage.
HELD:
Yes, Petitioner is jointly and severally liable with DMMSU for the payment of
wage increases. Section 6 of RA 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act) provides that in
case of wage increases resulting in a salary differential, the liability of the principal
and contractor shall be joint and several. The same liability attaches under Articles
106, 107 and 109 of the Labor Code. Petitioner contends that the matter involved in
the case at bar hinges on wage differentials and wage increases, as prescribed in
Section 6 of RA 6727, and not wages in general as provided by the Labor Code. This
interpretation is not acceptable. It is a cardinal rule in statutory construction that in
interpreting the meaning and scope of a term used, a careful review of the whole
law, as well as the intendment of the law, must be made. Legislative intent must be
ascertained from a consideration of the statute as a whole and not of an isolated
part or a particular provision alone.