SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
1~) 7 a 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
NlIV 27 P 3 :23 
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 PO 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 aI., 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. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
NOV 27 P 3 :23 
, 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1973 
Rt~('EIVEI) ll¥:-.r~. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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, ac;;tivities 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 funds 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,OOO.OO) nor more than Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,OOO.OO) 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 provision 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,