Theft committed by an employee against a person other than his employer, if

proven by substantial evidence, is a cause analogous to serious misconduct. The

misconduct to be serious must be of such grave and aggravated character and not
merely trivial or unimportant. Such misconduct, however serious, must,
nevertheless, be in connection with the employees work to constitute just cause for
his separation. But where there is no showing of a clear, valid and legal cause for
termination of employment, the law considers the case a matter of illegal dismissal.
HOCHENG PHILIPPINES CORPORATION vs. ANTONIO M. FARRALES, G.R. No.
211497, March 18, 2015, J. Reyes