FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1290 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is common knowledge that the administration of labor justice is 
becoming exceedingly slow and extremely tedious and cumbersome. This does 
not conform with the Constitutional mandate to afford full protection to labor (Sec. 
3, Article XIII, 1987 Constitution) and the workers right to a speedy disposition 
of their case (See, Sec.16, Article III, Ibid). The urgency of addressing this 
current problem is highlighted by the fact that in the various modes of labor 
dispute settlements, the workers in the private sector heavily rely on the officials 
of the Department of Labor and Employment. 
This Bill seeks to strengthen the provisions on the mandatory periods for 
resolution of labor cases by providing specific penalties against labor officials for 
their non-compliance therewith. 
Foregoing premises considered, early approval of this Bill is earnestly 
requested. 
MANNYV LAR 
.~ ,It 
• 1., 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1290 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE PROVISION ON THE MANDATORY PERIODS FOR 
THE RESOLUTION OF LABOR CASES BY IMPOSING CERTAIN PENALTIES 
AGAINST LABOR OFFICIALS FOR THEIR NON-COMPLIANCE THEREWITH, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ARTICLE 277 OF THE LABOR CODE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Paragraph (i), Article 277 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as 
amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines" is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
"ARTICLE 277. Miscellaneous Provisions.-
(a) xxx 
(b) xxx 
(c) xxx 
(d) xxx 
(e) xxx 
(f) xxx 
(g) xxx 
(h) xxx 
(i) To ensure speedy labor justice, the periods provided in 
this Code within which decisions or resolutions of labor 
[relations] cases or matters should be rendered shall be 
mandatory. For this purpose, a case or matter shall be 
deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the 
filing of the last pleading or memorandum required by the 
rules of the Commission or by the Commission itself, or 
the Labor Arbiter, or the Director of the Bureau of Labor 
Relations or Med-Arbiter, or the Regional Director OR 
HIS HEARING OFFICERS. 
Upon expiration of the corresponding period, a 
certification UNDER OATH stating why a decision or 
resolution has not been rendered within the said period 


shall be issued forthwith by the Chairman of the 
Commission, the Executive Labor Arbiter, or the Director 
of the Bureau of Labor Relations or Med-Arbiter, or the 
Regional Director OR HIS HEARING OFFICERS, as the 
case may be, and a copy thereof served upon the parties 
AND THEIR COUNSEL, IF ANY. 
Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory 
period, the aforesaid officials shall, without prejudice to 
[any liability], THE PENALTIES PROVIDED UNDER 
THIS PARAGRAPH [which may have been incurred as a 
consequence thereof], see to it that the case or matter 
shall be decided or resolved without any further delay. 
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANDATORY 
PERIODS FOR RESOLUTIONS OF LABOR CASES 
PROVIDED UNDER THIS CODE SHALL SUBJECT THE 
AFORESAID OFFICIALS TO ANY OR ALL OF THE 
FOLLOWING PENALTIES: 
1. THE SALARY OF ANY SUCH OFFICIAL WHO FAILS 
TO RENDER HIS DECISION OR RESOLUTION 
WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD SHALL BE, OR 
CAUSED TO BE, WITHHELD UNTIL THE SAID 
OFFICIAL COMPLIES THEREWITH; 
2. SUSPENSION FOR NOT MORE THAN NINETY (90) 
DAYS; OR 
3. DISMISSAL 
FROM 
THE 
SERVICE 
WITH 
DISQUALIFICATION TO HOLD ANY APPOINTIVE 
PUBLIC OFFICE FOR FIVE (5) YEARS. 
PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT THE PENALTIES 
HEREIN PROVIDED SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO 
ANY LIABILITY WHICH ANY SUCH OFFICIAL MAY HAVE 
INCURRED UNDER OTHER EXISTING LAWS OR RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS 
AS 
A 
CONSEQUENCE 
OF 
VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 
SE;CTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuance, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,