NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) is a quasi-judicial agency attached 
to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It is mandated to adjudicate labor and 
management disputes involving both local and overseas workers through compulsory 
arbitration and alternative modes of dispute resolution. 
According to the 2021 Performance Report of the NLRC, they were able to maintain a 
high level of disposition of cases, and posted gains in reducing the number of pending cases. 
The NLRC posted an overall output of 32,433 cases for compulsory arbitration comprising of 
24,262 as original cases from the Regional Arbitration Branches (RABs), and 8,171 as 
appealed cases from the Commission Proper. In terms of inflow versus outflow of cases, 
27,037 original cases were received for 2021, 24,262 or 90% of which were disposed of by 
the Regional Arbitration Branches (RABs). On the other hand, of the 8,031 appealed cases 
received for the current year, 8,171 or 102% were disposed of by the Commission Proper. 
Under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9347, it is stated that 
SEC. 4. Article 216, as amended, is hereby further amended to read 
as follows: 
"ART. 216. Salaries, benefits and other emoluments. The Chairman 
and members of the Commission shall have the same rank, receive 
an annual salary equivalent to, and be entitled to the same 
allowances, retirement and benefits as, those of the Presiding 
Justice and Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals, 
respectively. Labor Arbiters shall have the same rank, receive an 
annual salary equivalent to and be entitled to the same allowances, 
retirement and other benefits and privileges as those of the judges 
of the regional trial courts. In no case, however, shall the provision 
of this Article result in the diminution of the existing salaries, 
allowances and benefits of the aforementioned officials." 
While there have been laws granting additional retirement and survivorship benefits to 
the Judiciary, the NLRC is not covered by said laws.  
In view of the foregoing immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 11, 2023
8:00 am
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
GRANTING SURVIVORSHIP BENEFITS TO THE SURVIVING LEGITIMATE SPOUSE, 
CHILDREN, AND/OR PARENTS/NEXT-OF-KIN OF A DECEASED CHAIRPERSON, 
COMMISSIONER, OR LABOR ARBITER OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS 
COMMISSION 
Be in enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Survivorship Benefits. — Upon the death of Chairperson, or any 
Commissioner or Labor Arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission, if such 
Chairperson, Commissioner or Labor Arbiter has retired or was in the service at the time of 
death, the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of said Chairperson, 
Commissioner, or Labor Arbiter shall be entitled to receive on a monthly basis all the 
retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or entitled to receive at the time of death 
under the provisions  of the  applicable  retirement  laws  then  in  force. A "dependent" means 
a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child who is chiefly dependent on the above-
enumerated deceased officials, if such dependent is not more than twenty-one (21) years of 
age, unmarried and not gainfully employed, or if such dependent, regardless of age, is 
incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect. The surviving legitimate 
spouse shall continue to receive such retirement benefits during his/her lifetime or until he/she 
remarries. The surviving spouse and dependent children shall equally share the retirement 
benefits. Provided, That if the surviving spouse is receiving benefits under existing retirement 
laws, he or she shall only be entitled to the difference between the amount provided for in this 
Act and the benefits that he or she is receiving. Provided further, That in case the deceased 
Chairperson, Commissioner, or Labor Arbiter was unmarried, survivorship benefits shall be 
paid as follows: 
(a) When the deceased retiree was a solo parent, as defined under RA No.
8972, otherwise known as the ‘Solo Parent’s Welfare Act of 2000’, and
survived by dependent children or other children under the care of the
deceased retiree as stipulated under RA No. 9262, otherwise known as the
‘Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004’, including
children who have reached the age of majority but are unable to fully take
care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty,
exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability asa
defined under RA No. 7610, otherwise known as the ‘Special Protection of
Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act’, the
dependent  children shall be entitled to receive on a monthly basis all the
retirement benefits that the deceased retiree was receiving at the time of
death under the provisions if applicable retirement laws then in force, the
minor dependent children shall be disqualified from receiving the benefits
upon reaching the age of majority, any subsequent death or disqualification
of any of the dependent children shall not result in the accrual of the
forfeited benefits to the other beneficiaries.
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(b)  When the retiree died without issue, the surviving parents, if any, or unless 
otherwise disqualified by law, any person or persons nominated by the 
Chairman, Commissioner, or Labor Arbiter, shall, prior to or on the date of 
retirement receive on a monthly basis all the retirement benefits that the 
deceased retiree was receiving at the time of the death under the provisions 
of applicable retirement laws then in force; Provided, that the nominee shall 
be limited to two (2) persons only: Provided, further, any subsequent death 
or disqualification of any of the foregoing beneficiaries shall not result in the 
accrual of the forfeited benefits to their beneficiaries. 
 
SECTION. 2. Retroactivity. – The benefits mentioned in Section 1 hereof shall be granted to 
any and all Chairperson, Commissioners, and Labor Arbiters who retired, resigned, or died on 
or after the effectivity of Republic Act. No. 9347 on 26 July 2006. 
 
SECTION. 3. Funding. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall 
be charged against the savings of the NLRC for the current year. Thereafter, such sums as 
may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 4. Repeating Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,