Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session,

House Bill No.

Introduced by

HON. LEOVIGILDO B. BANAAG (1* District, Agusan del Norte)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To further facilitate the administration and enforcement of the Provisions
of the Labor Code as Amended, it is proper to transfer the jurisdiction from NLRC
to the Regional Office of the Department of Labor and Employment by removing
the FIVE THOUSAND CEILING found in Article 129 of the said Code. Thus, in
order for the Regional Director to acquire jurisdiction over labor-related claims, it
is proper to introduce the phrase “REGARDLESS OF THE. AMOUNT OF
CLAIM".

The bill also proposes the relocation of the jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters in
handling all money claims, with exception, to reduce the inflow of cases to the
NLRC.

With this amendment, the administration and enforcement of cases
involving recovery of wages, money claims, and other benefits will now be made
faster. In effect, there will also be a speedy disposition of labor related cases.

The approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

BAN,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

3850

House Bill No.

Introduced by

HON. LEOVIGILDO B. BANAAG (1° District, Agusan del Norte)

AN ACT

DEFINING THE JURISDICTION OF LABOR CASES BETWEEN THE
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION (NLRC) AND THE
REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE, ARTICLES 128
AND 217 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBER FOUR HUNDRED FORTY
TWO (PD 442), AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

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

SEcTION 1. Article 129 of the Labor Code is hereby amended, to read
as follows:

Recovery of wages, simple money claims, and other benefits.—
Upon complaint of any interested party, the Regional Director of the
Department of Labor and Employment or any of the duly authorized hearing
officers of the Department, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF CLAIM, is
empowered through summary proceec'ings and after due notice, to hear and
decide any matter involving the recovery of wages and other monetary claims
and benefits, including legal interest, owing to an employee or person
employed in domestic or household service or household helper under this
Code, arising from employer-employee relations, Provided, That such
complaint does not include a claim for reinstatement.


SECTION 2. Article 217 (a) (6) of the Labor Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:

Art. 217. Jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters and the Commission
Xxx

(a) (6) Exceptions. — Except claims for Employees Compensation, Social
Security, Medicare and Maternity Benefits, all other claims, arising from
employer-employee relations, including those of persons in domestic or
household service, INVOLVING ALL MONETARY CLAIMS ACCOMPANIED
WITH A CLAIM FOR REINSTATEMENT.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. All laws, acts, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or other issuances or parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its
approval and publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,