Employee may receive retirement benefits both from law, agreements

With respect to the additional six (6) days for compulsory retirement and three (3) days for optional retirement, these may appear in excess of the requirements of the law and the demand of respondent Union. Yet, it should be noted that the law merely establishes the minimum retirement benefits as it recognized that an employeemay receive more under existing laws and any CBA or other agreements. Besides, respondent Secretary of Labor had to break the bargaining deadlock. After taking into account all the circumstances, public respondent found it expedient to strike a reasonable middle ground between the parties' respective positions. [G.R. No. 117174. November 13, 1996]