Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Diliman, Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No__ 3789

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.

Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Diliman, Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3789

House Bill No._

Introduced by HON. MAURICIO G. DOMOGAN

AN ACT DEFINING THE JURISDICTION OF LABOR CASES
BETWEEN THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATION COMMISSION
AND THE REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE,
ARTICLES 129 AND 217 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE
FOUR HUNDRED FORTY TWO (PD 442), AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 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. Article 129 of the Labor Code is hereby further 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 proceedings 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.

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


Art. 217, Jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters and the Commission.
2K

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

SEC. 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 modified and repealed.

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15)
days following its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,