ARofthe

192

LABORARBITERREGIONALDIRECTOR

(Art.128/129)POEA

BUREAUOFLABORRELATION

REGIONALOFFICEMEDARBITERGRIEVANCEMACHINERY

1. ULP2. TerminationDisputes3. Cases involving wages, rates of

pay, hours of work and otherterms and conditions ofemploymentifaccompaniedwithclaimforreinstatement

4. Claims for actual, moral,exemplary and other forms ofdamages arising from employeremployeerelationship

5. Violation of Art. 264, includingillegalityofstrikesandlockouts

6. Involving claims for an amountexceeding P 5,000 regardlesswhether accompanied with aclaimforreinstatement(Art.217)

7. NonCompliance in compromiseagreements(Art.227)

8. Executionofawardsofvoluntaryarbitrator(Art.262A)

9. Overseas employment disputese.g. money claims arising fromsuch(R.A.8042)

10. Wage distortion (where there isnoCBA(Art.124)

1. Labor Standardsenforcement

2. Occupational safety&Healthviolation

3. Money claimsarising from laborstandards violationnot exceeding5,000per individual& w/o claim forreinstatement

4. Recovery of wagesandothermonetaryclaims & benefits,legal interestowingtooneemployed indomestichousehold serviceor house helperarising from EERnot exceeding P5000andw/oclaimforreinstatement

5. Violation of theconstitutionandbylawsoroftherightsand condition ofmembership (Art.241)

1. Cancellation/suspension of Licenseof Authority torecruit ofRecruitmentAgencies (RA8042)

2. DisciplinaryActions againstOFWs

3. All administrativecases arising outof rules andregulationsrelating tolicensing &registration ofrecruitment &employmentagencies

4. Disciplinaryactions and otherspecial casesadministrative incharacter,involvingemployers,principals,contractingpartners&Filipinomigrantworkers

1. Federation/NationalUnion/Trade UnionCenter Registration,revocation &cancellationcases

2. Complaints involvingfederations, nationalunions,industryunionsitsofficersormembers

3. Request forexaminationofbookofaccounts offederations / nationalunionsandtradeunioncenter(Art.274)

4. Interunion and intraunion conflicts,andalldisputes,grievancesorproblems arising fromor affecting labormanagement relation(Art.226)

1. Independentunion/charteredlocal registration, revocationandcancellationcases

2. Complaints or petitionsinvolving labor unions withindependent registration,chartered local, workersassoc.,itsofficers/members

3. Electionofofficers4. CBA registration of

independent local &charteredlocal

5. Other intraunion & interunion&relatedlaborrelationdisputes shall be heard &resolved by the MedarbiterinReg.Office

6. Request for examination ofbooks of accounts ofindividual labor union andcharteredlocal(Art.274)

7. Actions arising fromArt. 241from administration &accountingofunionfunds

8. Petition for certificationelection (appealed to Sec.OfLabor&nottoBLR)

1. DisputesconcerninginterpretationorimplementationofCBA

2. Disputesconcerninginterpretationandenforcement ofcompanypersonnelpolicies

3. All othergrievances asdefined in theCBA

4. Wage distortionwhen there is aCBA(Art.124)

FLOWCHARTBASEDONJURISDICTION

OfficeoftheDOLESEC.

NLRCBUREAUOFLABOR

RELATIONSVOLUNTARYARBITRATION

May assumejurisdiction overcases inArt.263(g) or certify thesametoNLRC

SUPREMECOURT

COURTOFAPPEALS

193

ARTICLE217OFTHELABOR

CODE2

MONEYCLAIMSunderSection10

RA8042asamended

3

LABORARBITER(RAB)

INJUNCTION

1

LABORSTANDARDS

ART.128(b)LC6

LABORSTANDARDSART.129,LC

7

InterIntraUnion

Disputes8

Representation

Issues9

NLRC(COMMISSIONLEVEL)

REGIONALOFFICE

REGIONALDIRECTOR

MEDARBITER

BLRDIRECTOR

OFFICEOFTHESECRETARY

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

VOLUNTARYARBITRATOR

Art.263(g)

NationalConciliationandMediationBoard(NCMB)

UnresolvedGrievances,

otherdisputesbypartiesagreements

4

NoticesofStrikesor

Lockout,otherdisputeforpreventivemediations

5

OR

FLOWCHARTBASEDONCAUSESOFACTION

INJUNCTION1

NLRC(COMMISSION

LEVEL)

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

Article218(e)oftheLaborCodeINJUNCTION

e)That thepublicofficerschargedwith theduty toprotectpetitioner'spropertyareunableorunwillingtofurnishadequateprotection.

a) That prohibited or unlawful acts have been threatened andwill becommittedandwillbecontinuedunlessrestrained,butno injunctionortemporary restraining order shall be issued on account of any threat,prohibited or unlawful act, except against the person or persons,associationororganizationmakingthethreatorcommittingtheprohibitedorunlawful actor actually authorizingor ratifying the same after actualknowledgethereof.

b) That substantial and irreparable injury to petitioner's property willfollow;

c) That as to each item of relief to be granted, greater injury will beinflicteduponthepetitionerbythedenialofreliefthanwillbe inflicteduponrespondentsbythegrantingofrelief;

d)Thatpetitionerhasnoadequateremedyatlaw;and

Petitionsforinjunctionareinitiallybroughttoanddecidedatthecommissionlevel.

RuleX,Sections1and2ofthe2005RevisedRulesoftheNLRC,providesthat:

InjunctioninOrdinaryLaborDisputes.ApreliminaryinjunctionorrestrainingordermaybegrantedbytheCommissionthrough itsDivisionspursuanttotheprovisionsofparagraph(e)ofArticle218oftheLaborCode,asamended,whenitisestablishedon thebasisof the sworn allegations in thepetition that the acts complainedofinvolvingorarising fromany labordisputebefore theCommission,which, ifnotrestrainedorperformedforthwith,maycausegraveorirreparabledamagetoanypartyorrenderineffectualanydecisioninfavorofsuchparty.

Injunction in Strikesor Lockouts. Apreliminaryorpermanent injunctionmaybegrantedbytheCommissiononlyafterhearingthetestimonyofwitnessesandwithopportunityforcrossexamination insupportoftheallegationsofthecomplaintorpetitionmadeunderoath,and testimonybywayofopposition thereto, ifoffered,andonlyafterafindingoffactbytheCommission:

194

ARTICLE217OFTHELABOR

CODE2

LABORARBITER(RAB)

NLRC

(COMMISSIONLEVEL)

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

UnderArticle217oftheLaborCodeasamended,LaborArbitersshallhaveoriginal and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide the following casesinvolvingallworkers,whetheragriculturalornonagricultural:

1.UnfairLaborPractices;

2.TerminationDisputes;

RABRegionalArbitrationBranches

This Article enumerates the cases falling under original and exclusivejurisdictionoflaborarbiters.Thisgivestheimpressionthatnonebutalaborarbitercanhearanddecidethesixcategoriesofcaseslisted.Butthisisnotreally so. Any or all of these cases can, by agreement of the parties, bepresentedtoanddecidedwithfinalitybyavoluntaryarbitratororapanelofvoluntaryarbitrators(seeArticles261262).(AZUCENA,EveryonesLaborCode2001)NOTE:

5.Cases arising from any violation Art. 264 of the Labor Code, includingquestionsinvolvingthelegalityofstrikesandlockouts;and6. Except claims for Employees Compensation, Social Security, Medicareandmaternity benefits, and all other claims arising from EEER relations,including thoseofpersons in thedomesticorhouseholdservice, involvingan amount exceeding P5,000 regardless ofwhether accompaniedwith aclaimforreinstatement.

4.Claims for actual, moral and exemplary and other forms of damagesarisingoutofEREErelations;

3.Ifaccompaniedwithaclaimforreinstatement,thosecasesthatworkersmayfile involvingwages,ratesofpay,hoursofworkandothertermsandconditionsofemployment;

195

MONEYCLAIMSunderSection10

RA8042asamended

3

LABORARBITER(RAB)

NLRC

(COMMISSIONLEVEL)

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

R.A.8042MigrantWorkersandOverseasFilipinosActof1995asamendedbyR.A.10022.

Section 7 (R.A. 10022). Section10ofRepublicActNo.8042, asamended,isherebyamendedtoreadasfollows:

"SEC.10.MoneyClaims.Notwithstandinganyprovisionoflawtothe contrary, the LaborArbitersof theNational LaborRelationsCommission (NLRC) shall have the original and exclusivejurisdiction tohearanddecide,withinninety (90) calendardaysafter the filing of the complaint, the claims arising out of anemployeremployee relationship or by virtue of any law orcontract involving Filipino workers for overseas deploymentincludingclaims foractual,moral,exemplaryandother formsofdamage.Consistentwiththismandate,theNLRCshallendeavortoupdate and keep abreast with the developments in the globalservicesindustry

NOTE:RABRegionalArbitrationBranches

Section10ofRA8042added to theexclusive jurisdictionof thelabor arbitersmoney claimsofOverseas Filipinoworkers arisingfrom violations of their employment contract against foreignemployersthroughtheirlocalrecruitmentagency.

196

TheNCMBcannotadjudicatebuttheitcanrecommendtothepartiesthatthedisputebesubmittedtovoluntaryarbitrationbecausethepolicystatementofthelawisvoluntarymeansofdisputesettlement

InSanMiguelCorp.v.NLRC,G.R.No.108001,March15,1996,Terminationdisputes do not necessarily involve enforcement or interpretation ofpersonnel policies because they are broad and longterm statements. As arule, therefore termination disputes should be lodgedwith a Labor arbiter.Butthecasemaybebroughttovoluntaryarbitrationiftheparties,byvirtueofArt. 262, state in unequivocal language that they agree to submit thetermination dispute to voluntary arbitration. Even a ULP case can, byagreementoftheparties,bebroughtbeforevoluntaryarbitration.(Azucena,EveryonesLaborCode,2001)

AVoluntaryArbitratorisaquasijudicialinstrumentality;hence,apetitionforcertiorariunderRule65oftheRulesofCourtwill liewhereagraveabuseofdiscretion or an act without or in excess of jurisdiction of the voluntaryarbitratorisshown.ThepetitionmaybefiledwiththeCourtofAppeals.

NCMB

Art.262oftheLaborCodeprovidesthatuponagreementoftheparties,theVoluntaryArbitratorcanhearanddecideallotherlabordisputes,includingterminationdisputeswhichordinarilyfallunderthejurisdictionoftheLaborArbitersunderArt.217oftheLaborCode.(Apalisokv.RPN,GRNo.138094,May29,2003,J.CarpioMorales).

Article 217 (c) should be read in conjunctionwith Article 261 of the LaborCodewhichgrants tovoluntaryarbitratorsoriginalandexclusive jurisdictiontohearanddecideallunresolvedgrievancesarisingfromtheinterpretationorimplementationofthecollectivebargainingagreementandthosearisingfromthe interpretationorenforcementofcompanypersonnelpolicies.Itcanthusbededucedthatonlydisputes involvingtheunionandthecompanyshallbereferred to the grievance machinery or voluntary arbitrators. (Maneja v.NLRC,G.R.No.124013June5,1998).

VoluntaryArbitrationMachinery

Thevoluntaryarbitrationmachineryhasauthorityoverunresolvedgrievancesarising from the interpretation or implementation of collective bargainingagreements and those arising from the interpretation or enforcement ofcompanypersonnelpolicies(Art.261,P.D.442asamended).

Unresolvedgrievances involvingdistortionofwages (Art.124,P.D.442)andtheproductivityandincentivesprogramunderSection4(b)R.A.6971.Otherlabordisputes, includingthose involvingstrikesmaybereferredtovoluntaryarbitrationbyagreementoftheparties.

ARTICLE 262. JURISDICTION OVER OTHER LABOR DISPUTES. The VoluntaryArbitratororpanelofVoluntaryArbitrators,uponagreementof theparties,shallhearanddecideallotherlabordisputesincludingunfairlaborpracticesandbargainingdeadlocks.

UnresolvedGrievances,

otherdisputesbypartiesagreements

4

NationalConciliationandMediationBoard

(NCMB)

VOLUNTARYARBITRATOR

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

197

NoticesofStrikesor

Lockout,otherdisputeforpreventivemediations

5

NationalConciliationandMediationBoard

(NCMB)

OR

VOLUNTARYARBITRATOR

OFFICEOFTHESECRETARY

COURTOFAPPEALS

NLRC

(COMMISSIONLEVEL)

Art.263(g)CertifiedCases

Note:Under Art. 263 (g), disputes certified by theSecretary of Labor and Employment under herauthority to assume jurisdiction are broughtdirectlytotheNLRC(CommissionLevel).

Disputes initially subject of a notice of strike orlockout may be brought under Art. 217 of theLaborCode.

Notallnoticesofstrikesorlockoutsareassumed/ certified by the Secretary of Labor andEmployment.There are cases which are initially subject ofNotice of strike or lockout but are referred toNLRCforcompulsoryarbitration,likeforinstanceULPcomplaints.

Anoticeofstrikeor lockout,uponagreementofparties,maybe referred toalternativemodesofdispute resolution, including voluntaryarbitration.(SeeSection9,RuleXXII,DO4003).

The Secretary of Labor and Employment mayexercisehisauthorityunderArticle263(g)oftheLaborCodetoassume jurisdictionoverthe labordisputeortocertifythesametotheCommissionfor compulsory arbitrationwhen in his opinion,there exist a labor dispute causing or likely tocause a strike/lockout in an industryindispensable to national interest. (SeeArt.263(g)oftheLaborCode)

TheNCMB isadisputeresolutionarmunder theadministrative supervision of the Secretary ofLabor and Employment. Itsmain task is to helpsettle labor disputes to prevent actual workstoppages (Azucena, Everyones Labor Code,2001).After the receiptofNoticeof strike/lockout, theNCMB conciliatormediators call the parties toconciliationconferences.Theyarenotjudgesandthereforetheycannotrenderverdicts.They canalsourge submissionof thedispute topreventivemediationorarbitration.Undereitherproceedingsastrikeorlockoutiswithheld.If there isnoagreement, theSecretaryof LaborandEmploymentmayinterveneatanystage.

NationalConciliationandMediationBoard(NCMB)involvingnoticesofstrikeorlockoutarisingfromcollectivebargainingdeadlocksor

allegationsofunfairlaborpractices.

SUPREMECOURT

198

LABORSTANDARDS

ART.128(b)LC6

REGIONALOFFICE

OFFICEOFTHESECRETARY

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

Article 128 (b): Enforcement of Labor Standards Laws

Art. 128 (b) of the Labor Code allows the Secretary of Labor and employment, usually through an authorized representative, to inspect places of employment and, if necessary, issue compliance orders and writs of execution to enforce labor standards provisions of the labor laws. Orders issued under Art. 128 (b) by representatives of the Secretary of Labor and Employment may be appealed to the Secretary of Labor and Employment himself. Decisions of the Secretary of Labor and Employment may then be brought before the CA and thereafter, to the SC. The authority of the DOLE Secretary under Art. 128 may be exercised regardless of the monetary value involved. The Secretary of Labor and employment may even order the stoppage of work or suspension of operations of the inspected establishment or parts of it. If the employer is at fault, he may be ordered to pay the employees wages during the work stoppage or suspension of operations. The requirement of due process must be observed. In Aboitiz Shipping Corp. v. De la Serna (GR No. 88538, April 25, 1990), it was held that a Regional Director of Dole has the power to order rectification of Labor Standards violation even if such violation is not mentioned in the employees complaint.

199

LABORSTANDARDSART.129,LC

7TheRegionalDirectorsauthorityunderArt.129issubjecttofourrequisitesnamely:1.The claim is presented by an employee or by personemployed in domestic or household service or a househelper.2.TheclaimarisesfromEREErelations.3.Theclaimantdoesnotseekreinstatement.4.TheaggregatemoneyclaimofeachemployeeorhousehelperdoesnotexceedP5000.If there is a claim for reinstatement or if the claimantsdemandexceedsP5,000,the laborarbiterhas jurisdictionover the casepursuant toArt.217 (6),except claims foremployees compensation, social security,Medicare,Philhealth and maternity benefits. Even as regards laborarbiter,however,ErEerelation isaprerequisiteasbasisoftheclaim.Adecisionrenderedunderthisarticle,beingadjudicatory,isappealabletotheNLRC.(AZUCENA)Note:Under Art. 129 of the LC, the Regional Director or ahearing officer of the DOLE hear and decide disputesinvolvingtherecoveryofwagesforas longtheaggregateclaim does not exceed P5000 and reinstatement is notsought. Designed to expedite enforcement of simplemoney claims, hearings are summary in nature anddecisionsmay be appealed to the Commission level oftheNLRC.

Article129oftheLC:RecoveryofWages,SimpleMoneyclaimsandBenefits

REGIONALDIRECTOR

BLRDIRECTOR

(COMMISSIONLEVEL)

NLRC

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

200

InterIntraUnion

Disputes8

REGIONALDIRECTOR

MEDARBITER

OFFICEOFTHESECRETARY

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

InterIntraUnionDisputes

Note:The rules allow one motion for reconsideration andthereafter, thedecisionof theBureauDirectoror theSecretary of Labor and Employmentwill be final andexecutory,butthisiswithoutprejudicetoapetitionforcertiorari (Rule 65)with the CA. Decisions of the CAmay thereafter be brought to the SC by petition forreviewoncertiorari(Rule45).

Section5(RuleXI,DO4003)Wheretofile:

Whentwoormorepetitionsinvolvingthesamepartiesandthesamecausesofactionarefiled,thesameshallbeautomaticallyconsolidated.

OtherInterIntraunionandrelatedlaborrelationsdisputesshallbeheardandresolvedbytheMedArbiterintheRegional Office.Complaints or petitions involving federations, national unions, industry unions, trade union centers and theirchartered local, affiliates or member organizations shall be filed with the Regional Office or the Bureau. ThecomplaintorpetitionshallbeheardandresolvedbytheBureau.

Petitionsforcancellationofregistrationoflaborunionswithindependentregistrations,charteredlocals,workersassociationsandpetitionsforderegistrationofcollectivebargainingagreementsshallberesolvedbytheRegionalDirector.He/shemayappointaHearingOfficerfromtheLaborRelationsDivision.

2. Federations, national unions, industry unions, its officers or member organizations shall be filed with theBureau.

1. Laborunionswith independent registrations, chartered locals,workersassociations, itsofficersormembersshallbefiledwiththeRegionalOfficethatissueditscertificateofregistrationorcertificateofcreationofcharteredlocal.

Complaintsorpetitionsinvolving:

The decisions of the MedArbiter and the RegionalDirectormaybeappealedtotheBLR.Thedecisionsofthe Bureau Director in the exercise of her originaljurisdiction may be appealed to the Office of theSecretary.

Generally, IntraInter Union disputes are heard inadministrative proceedings by the regional offices orthe BLR, depending on the labor organizationconcerned. DO No. 4003 provides that interintraunion disputes are resolve by MedArbiters in theregional offices with the exception of petitions forcancellationof registrationof labororganizationsandpetitionsforderegistrationofCBAswhichareresolvedbytheappropriateRegionalDirectororherappointedhearingofficer.

201

Representation

Issues9

MEDARBITER

BLRDIRECTOR

OFFICEOFTHESECRETARY

COURTOFAPPEALS

SUPREMECOURT

SettlementofRepresentationIssuesUnderArt.256oftheLaborCode

AninstancewhichcannotbeappealedisSection17,RuleVIIIofDept.OrderNo. 4003 (2003) on certification elections which provides that the ordergranting the conduct of a certification election in an unorganizedestablishments shallnotbe subject to appeal.Any issue arising therefrommay be raised by means of protest on the conduct and results of thecertificationelection.

Representation Issues are heard and resolved by MedArbiter of theappropriate regional office. The decisions of the MedArbiters may beappealed to the Secretary of labor and employment (seeArt. 259)whosedecisions inturnmaybequestionedbeforeCA(Rule65)andthereafterthedisputemaybebroughtbyanypartytotheSC(Rule45).Note:

202

203

CriminalActionforIllegalRecruitment(Section5,R.A.No.10022)

RTCIf the Resolution of theProsecutor finding probablecause forprosecution of illegalrecruitment isnot elevated forreview with the Secretary ofJustice, the Prosecutorwill filethe information with theRegionalTrialCourtfortrial.

DOJAny Adverse decision of theProsecutormaybeappealedtothe

SecretaryofJustice(DOJ).

ProsecutorsOffice

Filing of ComplaintAffidavit withProsecutorsOffice (ToConduct PreliminaryInvestigation)

CAAdversedecisionoftheSecretaryofJusticemaybeappealed to theCAbypetitionforcertiorariunderRule65.

Section5ofR.A.No.10022

WhocanfileanactionforIllegalRecruitment?

In the filing of cases for illegal recruitment oranyoftheprohibitedactsunderthissection,theSecretaryofLaborandEmployment,thePOEAAdministrator or their duly authorizedrepresentatives, or any aggrieved personmayinitiate the corresponding criminal action withtheappropriateoffice.

For thispurpose, theaffidavitsand testimoniesofoperativesorpersonnelfromtheDepartmentofLaborandEmployment,POEAandother lawenforcement agencies who witnessed the actsconstituting the offense shall be sufficient toprosecutetheaccused.

Intheprosecutionofoffensespunishableunderthis section, the public prosecutors of theDepartmentofJusticeshallcollaboratewiththeantiillegalrecruitmentbranchofthePOEAand,incertaincases,allowthePOEAlawyerstotakethe lead in the prosecution. The POEA lawyerswho act as prosecutors in such cases shall beentitledtoreceiveadditionalallowancesasmaybedeterminedbythePOEAAdministrator.

The filing of an offense punishable under thisAct shall be without prejudice to the filing ofcasespunishableunderotherexistinglaws,rulesorregulations."

CAFindingofconvictionbytheRTCmay be elevated to the CA byOrdinary Appeal or by writ oferrorunderRule41.The case may also be elevated to the CA by petition for certiorari under Rule 65 if proper grounds for it exists.

SCDecisionoftheCAmaybeappealedto the Supreme Court by petitionfor reviewoncertiorariunderRule45.

Section9ofR.A.No.8042VENUE:A criminal action arising fromillegal recruitment as defined

SCFindingofconvictionbytheRTCmaybeelevatedtotheSCbypetitionforreviewoncertiorariunderRule45.The casemay alsobe elevatedto the SC by petition forcertiorari under Rule 65 ifpropergroundsforitexists

herein

shall be filed with theRegionalTrialCourtof:1.Theprovinceorcitywheretheoffensewascommitted;or2. Where the offended partyactuallyresidesatthesametimeof the commission of theoffense.Provided: The court where thecriminal action is first filed shall

acquire jurisdiction to the exclusionofothercourts.

Provided further, that theaforestated provisions shall alsoapply to those criminal actions

that have already been filed incourt at the time of theeffectivityofthisAct.