The TRUTH will set Papa free.

      Exactly a day after my 27th birthday last year, I got a pm from mama telling me that Papa had been suspended. Worried and sad I called them that day with an open mind hoping that everything was just a mistake. Apparently, Papa had been suspended since November 23, 2005 but they chose to tell me after my birthday. Atleast I can celebrate it.

     To refresh your memory (since I cannot find the entry that I did last year). Papa had been working for his ex-employer for almost 13 years. He was their supervisor. He did everything for that job. The owner bought a condo in Cebu and Papa renovated it. Papa knows a lot of things. He is a plumber, electrician, foreman, carpenter, he can read and make blueprints. A perfect match for Resty. I know that they have been taking advantage of him. His day starts with 5:00 a.m. he jogs and around 6:00 a.m. he start picking up the workers and take them to their workstation. He also did payroll. He went to the bank every Friday and deposit/withdraw money. Sometimes he had $ 50,000.00 in his pocket but never was a time that it went short. From early morning, till evening we usually see him the earliest would be 8:00 p.m. Most of the time we are done eating dinner when he comes home. He loved and enjoyed what he did. He was happy until one person stabbed him in the back.

    This guy originally came from Manila. What I heard, he was so desperate because he has children and a mistress aside, so he needed to figure out how to make money  at other people's expense. He started stealing bronze metal from the company and selling them off the street. Papa didn't know that it has been going on for the past few months. Some people saw him did it. Treatened that he will lose his job, he called the main office and reported the stealing. They all thought  that Papa had been covering it up because it was never reported so they pinned the stealing to him. He was suspended because they said there will be an ongoing investigation. He was never asked or even invoved during the investigation process. He was already accused without a trial. The daughter of the owner called Papa and accused him, called him names and made him feel like a piece of junk. The last thing we know, they called Papa at home and asked  him to get all his stuff because he had been fired. Sadly, it was approaching Christmas.

    I called Papa almost everyday. I wanted him to tell me how he felt. I can feel so much sadness in his voice. He said, the job that he treasured so much is now gone. He decided to take the case to Labor. He got a lawyer from PAO (Public Attorney's Office) . The first court decision was to go for what the employer is up to give which was P16,000.00. He was having second thoughts because he said this case had made him have sleepless nights but we persuaded him to make an appeal. I paid for the P200.00 for the fee. I told him that I don't care if we don't get the money. The most important thing is we will prove to them that you did not do it.

Second Court Decision

    The letter came yesterday and as always Mama left me a pm. I called them this morning to hear the wonderful news. After almost one year,  justice was served. I talked to Papa today. I can feel how happy he was as he was reading the decisions of the court. His ex-employer where to follow the following:

a. pay back wages from November 2005 to September 2006 for the reason of illegally terminating Papa from his job. There was supposed to be someone who was willing to testify for Papa but he was sent to Davao instead and the court took note of it. 

b. pay his 13th month pay for 2005 and 13th month pay for 2006.

c. give him his job back.

     Not everything is certain yet because they can still appeal (last) because they can afford to hire a lawyer but if however they will lose this case, the back wages will keep on coming month after month after month. The job? he doesn't want it anymore.I felt he was given the justice that he deserved. God is watching over him.

My dear Papa during my ringhop

For the employer a little piece of mind for you.

1. THIS IS FOR HUMILIATING PAPA INFRONT OF HIS CO-WORKER AND ACCUSING HIM OF SOMETHING HE DID NOT DO.

2. FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIM. PAYING HIM NO OVERTIME EVEN IF HE WORKED THOSE LONG HOURS.

3. FOR CALLING HIM NAMES AND LOWER HIS SELF-ESTEEM.

4.FOR FIRING HIM WITHOUT JUSTICE EVEN IF HE TRIED TO EXPLAIN.

5. MOST OF ALL,  FOR TAKING A JOB FROM A MAN WHO HAVE WORKED ALL HIS LIFE, FED AND SENT HIS CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

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    I went to Target today to finalized my papers and picked up a card for Ryan. I wanted him to know how much I appreciate his hardwork and for juggling two jobs, school  and taking care of a bed bound wife . He is wonderful.

inside: I can't tell you how glad I am to have you to hold.

I love you.

I also wrote( just a part of it): Thank you for always being there for me and our baby. Please know that you are my love, my life and one of the reasons that I am trying to be better. I may not get flowers and material things for Sweetest day but having you and seeing your handsome face everyday, makes it all worth it.

     I huge smile and a kiss and a thank you were  what I got from him today. I love you cutie!

Comments

[AJ MaO'Brn]

Its too unfortunate that it happens to your father. That means not only him but there were more, worst than what he'd been through. God is with us. He knows what is right and wrong and He never leave us. He is just a prayer away. Im glad all is well, and you too with your family.
BE SWEETHEART ALWAYs, to keep the love going.