SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo. 2013

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

Presidential Decree No. 26 dated 21 October 1972 extends franking privilege to
judicial tribunals, one of which was the Court of Industrial Relations (CIR), with respect to
correspondence connected with judicial proceedings. This is to enable said court to act
swiftly, since one of the causes for the delay of judicial proceedings is the lack of postage
stamps.

Two years after, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) was created
under PD 442 on November 1, 1974 and, in effect, abolished the Court of Industrial
Relations and the interim NLRC. However, the NLRC inherited the same functions and
adjudicatory jurisdiction of the abolished agencies.

The foregoing is even bolstered by the fact that the abolished CIR which was then
handling similar cases and exercising similar functions as what the NLRC under PD 442 is
handling and exercising right now, was categorically classified as a ‘court of justice” in the
landmark case of Metropolitan Transportation Service vs. Parades et al., G.R, No. L-1232,
January 12, 1948.

Indeed, the grant of franking privilege would be of great help to the NLRC
considering that its funds basically depend upon the appropriated budget and it is not
allowed to disburse any income it may earn. Earnings of the NLRC are remitted to the
National Treasury.

On the basis of the foregoing observation, early passage of the bill is hereby
earnestly sought.

RUFY6 B. RODRIG}

maximo. eg, JR.


‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2513

House Bill No.

AN ACT
GRANTING FRANKING PRIVILEGE TO THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS
COMMISSION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled,

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as “NLRC Franking Privilege Act.”

‘SEC. 2. All official communications and papers of the National Labor Relations Commission
(NLRC) addressed for delivery within the Philippines shall be received, transmitted and
delivered in the mails of the Philippines free of postage: Provided, that such privilege shall
only be utilized to assist and expedite the conduct of the official businesses, activities and
duties of the National Labor Relations Commission and shall not be used for matters which
are of a purely personal nature.

SEC. 3. All official mail matters availing of this franking privilege must be sealed in an official
envelope or wrapper indicating therein the name of the National Labor Relations
Commission with its official seal on the upper left hand corner and the printed penalty clause
on the lower right hand corner which reads: “Private or unauthorized use to avoid payment
of postage is penalized by fine or imprisonment or both.”

SEC. 4. There is hereby appropriated annually, out of any fund in the National Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this
Act

SEC. 5. The National Labor Relations Commission shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Penal Provision. - Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act shall be
punished by a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) nor more than Ten
Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00) and/or imprisonment of not less than One (1) month nor
more than Six (6) Months or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court.
Prosecution under this provision shall preclude prosecution for the same act under the
Revised Penal Code, and vice versa

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts hereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation,

Approved,