GMA wins civil suit vs ex exec

MANILA, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 88 of Quezon City favored GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) in a civil suit filed by the latter against former GMA executive Roberto Barreiro for his refusal to return a company-issued vehicle.

In an eight-page decision issued by Presiding Judge Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya, the RTC declared that GMA has the right of possession of the Volvo 850 GLE entrusted by the company to Barreiro sometime in 1997.

On March 25, 2002, GMA terminated Barreiro for cause from his corporate position as president and COO of GMA Marketing and Productions, Inc. and SVP and Group head-TV Group of GMA Network, Inc. Thereafter, GMA demanded Barreiro to surrender the vehicle assigned to him as company car but the defendant ignored the demand and retained possession of the car.

Barreiro argued that the said vehicle was assigned to him based on the Network’s car program, which allegedly states that ownership of the vehicle is automatically transferred to the officer to whom it is assigned after four years. Further, he contended that he was illegally terminated without due process and that he expressed his intention to waive ownership of the vehicle provided that GMA executes a quitclaim in his favor to avoid further litigation involving said vehicle.

The RTC said that Barreiro was unable to prove that he was illegally terminated and the existence of the said car program at the time GMA demanded the return of the vehicle.

Evidence showed that it was only in 2003 when GMA established its car program policy for senior vice presidents and vice presidents, a year after Barreiro was terminated.

According to the RTC, while GMA proved its ownership and possession over the vehicle, Barreiro, on the other hand, failed to justify his continued possession of the same. GMA was awarded P50,000 for damages, while other claims for damages filed by Barreiro were dismissed due to lack of merit.