Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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TOPIC NO. 1
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
A. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Labor relations and labor standards laws are not mutually exclusive.
They are complementary to, and closely interlinked with, each other. For
instance, the laws on collective bargaining, strikes and lockouts which are
covered by labor relations law necessarily relate to the laws on working
conditions found in Book III.
Who has the burden of proof to show that the dismissal of the
OFW is legal?
Burden of proof devolves on both recruitment agency and its foreign
principal.
DIRECT HIRING
What is direct hiring?
“Direct Hiring” refers to the process of directly hiring workers by
employers for overseas employment as authorized by the DOLE Secretary
and processed by the POEA, including:
1. Those hired by international organizations;
2. Those hired by members of the diplomatic corps;
3. Name hires or workers who are able to secure overseas employment
opportunity with an employer without the assistance or participation of any
agency.
TOPIC NO. 3
LABOR STANDARDS
A. HOURS OF WORK
1. COVERAGE/EXCLUSIONS
(Article 82, Labor Code)
MEAL BREAK
(Article 85, Labor Code)
What is the rule on time-off for regular meal?
Every employer is required to give his employees, regardless of sex, not less
than one (1) hour (or 60 minutes) time-off for regular meals.
WAITING TIME
(Article 84, Labor Code)
• What is covered by compensable working hours?
The following shall be considered as compensable hours worked:
a. All time during which an employee is required to be on duty or to be at
the employer’s premises or to be at a prescribed workplace; and
B. WAGES
• What is COLA?
NON-DIMINUTION OF BENEFITS
COMPANY PRACTICE
What is company practice?
Company practice is a custom or habit shown by an employer’s repeated,
habitual customary or succession of acts of similar kind by reason of which,
it gains the status of a company policy that can no longer be disturbed or
withdrawn.
To ripen into a company practice that is demandable as a matter of right,
the giving of the benefit should not be by reason of a strict legal or
contractual obligation but by reason of an act of liberality on the
part of the employer.
Example:
(a) Hinatuan Mining Corporation and/or the Manager v. NLRC,4
where the act of the employer in granting separation pay to resigning
employees, despite the fact that the Labor Code does not grant it, was
considered an established employer practice.
BONUS
What is the rule on its demandability and enforceability?
Bonus, as a general rule, is an amount granted and paid ex gratia to the
employee. It cannot be forced upon the employer who may not be obliged
to assume the onerous burden of granting bonuses or other benefits aside
from the employees’ basic salaries or wages. If there is no profit, there
should be no bonus. If profit is reduced, bonus should likewise be reduced,
absent any agreement making such bonus part of the compensation of the
1 G.R. No. L-57636, May 16, 1983, 122 SCRA 267; 207 Phil. 2235.
2 G.R. No. 74156, June 29, 1988, 163 SCRA 71.
3 G.R. No. 163419, Feb. 13, 2008.
4 G.R. No. 117394, Feb. 21, 1997.
WAGE DISTORTION/RECTIFICATION
What is wage distortion?
“Wage distortion” contemplates a situation where an increase in prescribed
wage rates results in either of the following:
1. Elimination of the quantitative differences in the rates of wages or
salaries; or
2. Severe contraction of intentional quantitative differences in wage or
salary rates between and among employee groups in an establishment as to
effectively obliterate the distinctions embodied in such wage structure
based on the following criteria:
a. Skills;
b. Length of service; or
c. Other logical bases of differentiation.
Wage distortion presupposes a classification of positions and ranking of
these positions at various levels. One visualizes a hierarchy of positions
with corresponding ranks basically in terms of wages and other
emoluments. Where a significant change occurs at the lowest level of
positions in terms of basic wage without a corresponding change in the
other level in the hierarchy of positions, negating as a result thereof the
distinction between one level of position from the next higher level, and
resulting in a parity between the lowest level and the next higher level or
rank, between new entrants and old hires, there exists a wage distortion.
xxx. The concept of wage distortion assumes an existing grouping or
REST PERIODS
1. WEEKLY REST DAY
• What is the duration of weekly rest period?
It shall be the duty of every employer, whether operating for profit or not,
to provide each of his employees a rest period of not less than twenty-
four (24) consecutive hours after every six (6) consecutive
normal work days.
A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day - 1 January
Araw ng Kagitingan - 9 April
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Labor Day - 1 May
Independence Day - 12 June
National Heroes Day - 25 August (Last Monday of
August)
Bonifacio Day - 30 November
Christmas Day - 25 December
Rizal Day - 30 December
LEAVES
2. MATERNITY LEAVE
PATERNITY LEAVE
PARENTAL LEAVE
(R.A. No. 8972)
• What is parental leave?
“Parental leave” is the leave benefit granted to a male or female solo
parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities
where physical presence is required.
SERVICE CHARGE
• What are the kinds of establishment covered by the law on
service charge?
The rules on service charge apply only to establishments collecting service
charges, such as hotels, restaurants, lodging houses, night clubs, cocktail
lounges, massage clinics, bars, casinos and gambling houses, and similar
enterprises, including those entities operating primarily as private
subsidiaries of the government.
SEPARATION PAY
What are the separation pays expressly provided under the
Labor Code?
The Labor Code prescribes the payment of separation pay only in the
following four (4) situations:
(1) When termination is due to authorized causes:
(1) installation of labor-saving devices;
(2) redundancy;
(3) retrenchment; or
(4) closing or cessation of business operations; and
(5) disease.
Illustrative cases.
Yrasuegui v. Philippine Airlines, Inc., where the dismissal of
petitioner (an international flight attendant) due to his obesity was held
valid as an analogous cause under Article 282(e) of the Labor Code. The
Supreme Court, however, as an act of
social justice and for reason of equity, awarded him separation pay
equivalent to one-half (1/2) month’s pay for every year of service, including
his regular allowances. The Court observed that his dismissal occasioned by
his failure to meet the weight standards of his employer was not for serious
misconduct and does not reflect on his moral character.
RETIREMENT PAY
a. ELIGIBILITY
Who are covered under the retirement pay law?
The following employees are eligible to avail of retirement benefits under
Article 287 of the Labor Code:
1. All employees in the private sector, regardless of their position,
designation or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages
J. WOMEN WORKERS
a. PROVISIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
c. PROHIBITED ACTS
• What are the prohibited acts against women under the Labor
Code?
Article 137 of the Labor Code and its implementing rule consider unlawful
the followings acts of the employer:
1. To discharge any woman employed by him for the purpose of
preventing such woman from enjoying maternity leave, facilities
and other benefits provided under the Labor Code;
2. To discharge such woman on account of her pregnancy, or while on
leave or in confinement due to her pregnancy;
3. To discharge or refuse the admission of such woman upon returning to
her work for fear that she may again be pregnant;
4. To discharge any woman or any other employee for having filed a
complaint or having testified or being about to testify under the
Labor Code; or
5. To require as a condition for or continuation of employment that a
woman employee shall not get married or to stipulate expressly or tacitly
that upon getting married, a woman employee shall be deemed
resigned or separated, or to actually dismiss, discharge,
discriminate or otherwise prejudice a woman employee merely
• Who are the persons who may be held liable for sexual
harassment?
Work, education or training-related sexual harassment is committed by any
employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employer, teacher,
instructor, professor, coach, trainor, or any other person who, having
authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work or training
or education environment, demands, requests or otherwise requires any
sexual favor from another, regardless of whether the demand, request or
requirement for submission is accepted by the object of said act.
Further, any person who directs or induces another to commit any act of
sexual harassment as defined in the law, or who cooperates in the
commission thereof by another without which it would not have been
committed, shall also be held liable under the law.
L. HOUSEHELPERS
(Labor Code as amended by R.A. No. 7655,
Payment of wages:
If the Kasambahay leaves without cause, any unpaid salary due, not
exceeding the equivalent of 15 days work, shall be forfeited. In addition, the
employer may recover from the Kasambahay deployment expenses, if any,
if the services have been terminated within six (6) months from
employment.
c. Termination of employment initiated by the employer. - An
employer may terminate the employment of the Kasambahay at any time
before the expiration of the contract for any of the following causes:
(1) Misconduct or willful disobedience by the Kasambahay of the lawful
order of the employer in connection with the former's work;
(2) Gross or habitual neglect or inefficiency by the Kasambahay in the
performance of duties;
(3) Fraud or willful breach of the trust reposed by the employer on the
Kasambahay;
(4) Commission of a crime or offense by the Kasambahay against the
person of the employer or any immediate member of the employer's family;
(5) Violation by the Kasambahay of the terms and conditions of the
employment contract and other standards set forth under the law;
(6) Any disease prejudicial to the health of the Kasambahay, the employer,
or members of the household; and
(7) Other causes analogous to the foregoing.
If the employer dismissed the Kasambahay for reasons other than the
above, he/she shall pay the Kasambahay the earned compensation plus
indemnity in the amount equivalent to fifteen (15) days work.
d. Invalid ground for termination. - Pregnancy and marriage of the
Kasambahay are not valid grounds for termination of employment.
e. Employment Certification. - Upon the termination of employment,
the employer shall issue the Kasambahay, within five (5) days from request,
a certificate of employment indicating the nature, duration of the service
and work description.
• What is impairment?
“Impairment” refers to any loss, diminution or aberration of
psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function.
• What is disability?
“Disability” means (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially
limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical functions of
an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an
impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment.
• What is handicap?
“Handicap” refers to a disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from
an impairment or a disability that limits or prevents the function or activity
that is considered normal given the age and sex of the individual.
TOPIC NO. 4
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
A. EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP
1. Four-Fold Test
What is the 4-fold test of existence of employer-employee
relationship?
1. Selection and engagement of the employee;
2. Payment of wages or salaries;
3. Exercise of the power of dismissal; or
4. Exercise of the power to control the employee’s conduct.
These tests, however, are not fool-proof as they admit of exceptions.
The control test is the controlling test which means that the employer
controls or has reserved the right to control the employee not only as
to the result of the work to be done but also as to the means and
methods by which the same is to be accomplished.
2. KINDS OF EMPLOYMENT
a. PROBATIONARY EMPLOYMENT
b. REGULAR EMPLOYMENT
How does one become a regular employee?
Under the Labor Code, regular employment may be attained in either of
three (3) ways, namely:
1. By nature of work. - The employment is deemed regular when the
employee has been engaged to perform activities which are usually
necessary or desirable in the usual business or trade of the employer.
2. By period of service. - The employment is reckoned as regular when
the employee has rendered at least one (1) year of service, whether such
service is continuous or broken, with respect to the activity in which he is
employed and his employment shall continue while such activity exists.
3. By probationary employment. - The employment is considered
regular when the employee is allowed to work after a probationary period.
c. PROJECT EMPLOYMENT
What is the litmus test of project employment?
The litmus test of project employment, as distinguished from regular
employment, is whether or not the project employees were assigned to
carry out a specific project or undertaking, the duration and scope
of which were specified at the time the employees were engaged
for that project.
A true project employee should be assigned to a project which begins and
ends at determined or determinable times and be informed thereof at the
time of hiring.
d. SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT
Can a seasonal employee become a regular seasonal employee?
Yes, provided the following requisites are complied with:
1. The seasonal employee should perform work or services that are
seasonal in nature; and
2. They must have also been employed for more than one (1) season.
Can a regular seasonal worker file an illegal dismissal case in
the event he is not hired for the next season?
Yes. The reason is, being a regular seasonal employee, the employer should
re-hire him in the next season. During off-season, his employment is
deemed suspended and he is considered as being on leave of absence
without pay.
e. CASUAL EMPLOYMENT
What is the most important distinguishing feature of casual
employment?
The most important distinction is that the work or job for which he was
hired is merely incidental to the principal business of the employer and
such work or job is for a definite period made known to the employee at
the time of engagement.
When does a casual employee become regular?
Casual employee becomes regular after one year of service by operation of
law. The one (1) year period should be reckoned from the hiring date.
Repeated rehiring of a casual employee makes him a regular employee.
f. FIXED-TERM EMPLOYMENT
What are the requisites in order for fixed-term employment to
3. JOB CONTRACTING
Is job contracting valid if the contractor-supplied employees
are engaged to perform not merely peripheral but core
jobs with the principal?
Yes, per the 2012 case of Digital Telecommunications Philippines,
Inc. v. Digitel Employees Union (DEU), where the Court recognized
the management prerogative to farm out any of its activities, regardless of
whether such activity is
peripheral or core in nature.
LABOR-ONLY CONTRACTING.
When is there labor-only contracting?
(a) The contractor does not have substantial capital or investments in the
form of tools, equipment, machineries, work premises, among others, and
the employees recruited and placed are performing activities
which are usually necessary or desirable to the operation of the
company, or directly related to the main business of the
principal within a definite or predetermined period, regardless of
whether such job, work or service is to be performed or completed within or
outside the premises of the principal; OR
(b) The contractor does not exercise the right of control over the
performance of the work of the employee.
NOTE: Even if only one of the two (2) elements above is present, there is
labor-only contracting.
1. JUST CAUSES
What are the just causes under the Labor Code?
The just causes in the Labor Code are found in the following provisions
thereof:
(1) Article 282 - (Termination by the Employer) which provides for the
following grounds:
(a) Serious misconduct or willful disobedience by the employee of the
lawful orders of his employer or representative in connection with his work;
(b) Gross and habitual neglect by the employee of his duties;
(c) Fraud or willful breach by the employee of the trust reposed in him by
I. SERIOUS MISCONDUCT
1. REQUISITES.
For misconduct or improper behavior to be a just cause for dismissal, the
following requisites must concur:
1. It must be serious; and
2. It must relate to the performance of the employee’s duties; and
3. It must show that he has become unfit to continue working for the
employer.
All the above three (3) requisites must concur.
1. REQUISITES.
One of the fundamental duties of an employee is to obey all reasonable
rules, orders and instructions of the employer. In order to validly invoke
this ground, the following requisites must be complied with, to wit:
1. The employee’s assailed conduct must have been willful or intentional,
the willfulness being characterized by a wrongful and perverse attitude; and
2. The order violated must be based on a reasonable and lawful company
rule, regulation or policy and made known to the employee and must
pertain to the duties for which he has been engaged to discharge.
V. FRAUD
1. REQUISITES.
The following are the requisites of this ground:
1. There must be an act, omission, or concealment;
2. The act, omission or concealment involves a breach of legal duty, trust, or
confidence justly reposed;
3. It must be committed against the employer or his/her representative;
and
4. It must be in connection with the employees' work.1
2. GUIDELINES.
As a safeguard against employers who indiscriminately use “loss of trust
and confidence” to justify arbitrary dismissal of employees, the Supreme
Court, in addition to the above elements, came up with the following
guidelines for the application of the doctrine:
(1) The loss of confidence must not be simulated;
(2) It should not be used as a subterfuge for causes which are illegal,
improper or unjustified;
(3) It may not be arbitrarily asserted in the face of overwhelming evidence
to the contrary; and
(4) It must be genuine, not a mere afterthought, to justify earlier action
taken in bad faith.
The foregoing guidelines have been prescribed by the Supreme Court due to
the subjective nature of this ground which makes termination based on loss
of trust and confidence prone to abuse.
1 Per latest DOLE Department Order No. 147-15, series of 2015, September
07, 2015.
Rules on termination of managerial and supervisory employees
different from those applicable to rank-and-file
employees. Thus, with respect to rank-and-file personnel, loss of trust
and confidence as a ground for valid dismissal requires proof of
involvement in the alleged events in question and that mere
uncorroborated assertions and accusations by the employer will not be
sufficient. But as regards a managerial employee, the mere existence of
a basis for believing that he has breached the trust of his employer would
suffice for his dismissal.
2. AUTHORIZED CAUSES
What are the 2 classes of authorized cause termination?
Under the Labor Code, authorized causes are classified into two (2) classes,
namely:
(1) Business-related causes. – Referring to the grounds specifically
mentioned in Article 283 (298), to wit:
a. Installation of labor-saving device;
b. Redundancy;
c. Retrenchment;
d. Closure or cessation of business operations NOT due to serious business
losses or financial reverses; and
e. Closure or cessation of business operations due to serious business losses
and financial reverses.
(2) Health-related causes. – Referring to disease covered by Article
284 299 of the Labor Code.
What are the common requisites applicable to the authorized
causes under Article 283?
The following are the five (5) common requisites applicable to the ALL the
grounds under Article 283:
1. There is good faith in effecting the termination;
2. The termination is a matter of last resort, there being no other option
available to the employer after resorting to cost-cutting measures;
3. Two (2) separate written notices are served on both the affected
employees and the DOLE at least one (1) month prior to the intended
date of termination;
4. Separation pay is paid to the affected employees, to wit:
(a) If based on (1) installation of labor-saving device, or (2)
redundancy. - One (1) month pay or at least one (1) month pay for every
year of service, whichever is higher, a fraction of at least six (6) months
shall be considered as one (1) whole year.
(b) If based on (1) retrenchment, or (2) closure NOT due serious
II. REDUNDANCY
What are the additional requisites unique to this ground?
The additional requisites are as follows:
1. There must be superfluous positions or services of employees;
2. The positions or services are in excess of what is reasonably demanded
III. RETRENCHMENT
What are the additional requisites unique to this ground?
Per latest issuance of the DOLE, 3 the following are the additional
requisites:
1. The retrenchment must be reasonably necessary and likely to prevent
business losses;
2. The losses, if already incurred, are not merely de minimis, but
substantial, serious, actual and real, or if only expected, are reasonably
imminent;
3. The expected or actual losses must be proved by sufficient and
convincing evidence;4 and
4. The retrenchment must be in good faith for the advancement of its
interest and not to defeat or circumvent the employees' right to security of
tenure.
This is the only statutory ground in Article 283 which requires this kind of
proof. The other grounds of closure or cessation of business operations may
be resorted to with or without losses.
1 Per latest DOLE Department Order No. 147-15, series of 2015, September
07, 2015.
2 Id.
3 Id.
4 Balasabas v. NLRC, G.R. No. 85286, August 24,1992; Central Azucarerra
dela Carlota v. NLRC, G.R. No. 100092, December 29, 1995.
V. DISEASE
1. THE DEOFERIO DOCTRINE ON THE REQUISITES.
Disease is one of the authorized causes to terminate employment. In the
2014 case of Deoferio v. Intel Technology Philippines, Inc.,1 the
Supreme Court divided into two the requisites that must be complied with
before termination of employment due to disease may be justified, namely:
(1) Substantive requisites; and
(2) Procedural requisites.
1.1. THE DEOFERIO RULE ON SUBSTANTIVE REQUISITES.
The following are the three (3) substantive requisites:
(1) An employee has been found to be suffering from any disease;
(2) His continued employment is prohibited by law or prejudicial to his
health, as well as to the health of his co-employees; and
(3) A competent public health authority issues a medical certificate that the
disease is of such nature or at such a stage that it cannot be cured within a
period of six (6) months even with proper medical treatment.2
1.2. THE DEOFERIO RULE ON PROCEDURAL REQUISITES.
3. DUE PROCESS
(a) Twin-Notice Requirement
(b) Hearing; Meaning of Opportunity to be Heard
1. REINSTATEMENT
LIMITED BACKWAGES
When is the award of backwages limited?
(1) When the dismissal is deemed too harsh a penalty;
(2) When the employer acted in good faith; or
(3) Where there is no evidence that the employer dismissed the employee.
Thus, the backwages will not be granted in full but limited to 1 year, 2 years
or 5 years.
PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION
When is preventive suspension proper to be imposed?
Preventive suspension may be legally imposed against an errant employee
only while he is undergoing an investigation for certain serious offenses.
Consequently, its purpose is to prevent him from causing harm or injury to
the company as well as to his fellow employees. It is justified only in
cases where the employee’s continued presence in the company
premises during the investigation poses a serious and imminent
threat to the life or property of the employer or of the employee’s
co-workers. Without this threat, preventive suspension is not
proper.
What are some relevant principles in preventive suspension?
Preventive suspension is not a penalty. Preventive suspension, by
itself, does not signify that the company has already adjudged the employee
guilty of the charges for which she was asked to answer and explain.
Preventive suspension is neither equivalent nor tantamount to
dismissal.
If the basis of the preventive suspension is the employee’s absences and
During the 30-day preventive suspension, the worker is not entitled to his
wages and other benefits. However, if the employer decides, for a justifiable
reason, to extend the period of preventive suspension beyond said 30-day
period, he is obligated to pay the wages and other benefits due the worker
during said period of extension. In such a case, the worker is not bound to
reimburse the amount paid to him during the extension if the employer
decides to dismiss him after the completion of the investigation.
Extension of period must be justified. During the 30-day period of
preventive suspension, the employer is expected to conduct and finish the
investigation of the employee’s administrative case. The period of thirty
(30) days may only be extended if the employer failed to complete the
hearing or investigation within said period due to justifiable grounds. No
extension thereof can be made based on whimsical, capricious or
unreasonable grounds.
Preventive suspension lasting longer than 30 days, without the benefit
of valid extension, amounts to constructive dismissal.
Indefinite preventive suspension amounts to constructive dismissal.
CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL
When is there constructive dismissal?
Constructive dismissal contemplates any of the following situations:
1) An involuntary resignation resorted to when continued employment
TOPIC NO. 5
A. DISCIPLINE
What are the components of the right to discipline?
The right or prerogative to discipline covers the following:
1) Right to discipline;
2) Right to dismiss;
3) Right to determine who to punish;
4) Right to promulgate rules and regulations;
5) Right to impose penalty; proportionality rule;
6) Right to choose which penalty to impose; and
7) Right to impose heavier penalty than what the company rules prescribe.
C. PRODUCTIVITY STANDARD
How may productivity standards be imposed?
The employer has the prerogative to prescribe the standards of productivity
which the employees should comply. The productivity standards may be
used by the employer as:
1. an incentive scheme; and/or
2. a disciplinary scheme.
As an incentive scheme, employees who surpass the productivity
standards or quota are usually given additional benefits.
As a disciplinary scheme, employees may be sanctioned or dismissed for
failure to meet the productivity standards or quota.
Illustrative cases:
In the 2014 case of International School Manila v. International
School Alliance of Educators (ISAE),1 the teacher was held guilty of
gross inefficiency meriting her dismissal on the basis of the Court’s finding
that she failed to measure up to the standards set by the school in teaching
Filipino classes.
In the 2012 case of Reyes-Rayel v. Philippine Luen Thai Holdings
Corp.,2 the validity of the dismissal of petitioner who was the Corporate
Human Resources (CHR) Director for Manufacturing of respondent
company, on the ground of inefficiency and ineptitude, was affirmed on the
basis of the Court’s finding that petitioner, on two occasions, gave wrong
information regarding issues on leave and holiday pay which generated
confusion among employees in the computation of salaries and wages.
In another 2012 case, Realda v. New Age Graphics, Inc.,3 petitioner, a
machine operator of respondent company, was dismissed on the ground,
among others, of inefficiency. In affirming the validity of his dismissal, the
D. GRANT OF BONUS
See discussion on this under Topic III (Labor Standards) above.
G. POST-EMPLOYMENT BAN
Is a non-compete clause valid?
Yes. The employer and the employee are free to stipulate in an employment
contract prohibiting the employee within a certain period from and after
the termination of his employment, from:
(1) starting a similar business, profession or trade; or
TOPIC NO. 6
B. GSIS LAW
(R.A. No. 8291)Who are compulsorily required to become
members of the GSIS?
1. All government personnel, whether elective or appointive, irrespective of
status of appointment, provided they are receiving fixed monthly
compensation and have not reached the mandatory retirement age of 65
years, are compulsorily covered as members of the GSIS and shall be
required to pay contributions.
2. However, employees who have reached the retirement age of 65 or more
shall also be covered, subject to the following rules:
An employee who is already beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65
shall be compulsorily covered and be required to pay both the life and
retirement premiums under the following situations:
a. An elective official who at the time of election to public office is below
65 years of age and will be 65 years or more at the end of his term of office,
including the period/s of his re-election to public office thereafter without
interruption.
b. Appointive officials who, before reaching the mandatory age of 65, are
appointed to government position by the President of the Republic of the
Philippines and shall remain in government service at age beyond 65.
c. Contractual employees including casuals and other employees with
an employee-government agency relationship are also compulsorily
covered, provided they are receiving fixed monthly compensation and
rendering the required number of working hours for the month.
What are the classes of membership in the GSIS?
D. EMPLOYEE’S COMPENSATION
COVERAGE AND WHEN COMPENSABLE
What is the State Insurance Fund [SIF]?
The State Insurance Fund (SIF) is built up by the contributions of
employers based on the salaries of their employees as provided under the
Labor Code.
There are two (2) separate and distinct State Insurance Funds: one
established under the SSS for private sector employees; and the other,
under the GSIS for public sector employees. The management and
investment of the Funds are done separately and distinctly by the SSS and
the GSIS. It is used exclusively for payment of the employees’ compensation
benefits and no amount thereof is authorized to be used for any other
purpose.
What are the agencies involved in the implementation of the
Employees Compensation Program (ECP)?
There are three (3) agencies involved in the implementation of the
Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP). These are: (1) The Employees’
Compensation Commission (ECC) which is mandated to initiate,
rationalize and coordinate policies of the ECP and to review appealed cases
from (2) the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and (3)
2. BARGAINING UNIT
What is a bargaining unit?
A “bargaining unit” refers to a group of employees sharing mutual interests
within a given employer unit, comprised of all or less than all of the entire
body of employees in the employer unit or any specific occupational or
geographical grouping within such employer unit. It may also refer to the
group or cluster of jobs or positions within the employer’s establishment
that supports the labor organization which is applying for registration.
2. GLOBE DOCTRINE.
This principle is based on the will of the employees. It is called Globe
doctrine because this principle was first enunciated in the United States
case of Globe Machine and Stamping Co.,1 where it was ruled, in
defining the appropriate bargaining unit, that in a case where the
company’s production workers can be considered either as a single
bargaining unit appropriate for purposes of collective bargaining or as three
(3) separate and distinct bargaining units, the determining factor is the
desire of the workers themselves. Consequently, a certification election
should be held separately to choose which representative union will be
chosen by the workers.
International School Alliance of Educators [ISAE] v.
CERTIFICATION ELECTION
What is certification election?
What are the requisites for the validity of the petition for
certification election?
The following requisites should concur:
1. The union should be legitimate which means that it is duly registered
and listed in the registry of legitimate labor unions of the BLR or that its
legal personality has not been revoked or cancelled with finality.
2. In case of organized establishments, the petition for certification
election is filed during (and not before or after) the 60-day
freedom period of a duly registered CBA.
3. In case of organized establishments, the petition complied with the
25% written support of the members of the bargaining unit.
4. The petition is filed not in violation of any of the four (4) bar rules [See
above discussion thereof].
RUN-OFF ELECTION
RE-RUN ELECTION
When should a re-run election be conducted?
A re-run election may be justified if certain irregularities have been
committed during the conduct of the certification election such as, inter
alia, disenfranchisement of the voters, lack of secrecy in the
voting, fraud or bribery, in which case, the certification election should
be invalidated. Such invalidation would necessitate the conduct of a re-run
election among the contending unions to determine the true will and desire
of the employee-electorates.
CONSENT ELECTION
What is consent election?
A “consent election” refers to the process of determining through secret
ballot the sole and exclusive representative of the employees in an
appropriate bargaining unit for purposes of collective bargaining and
negotiation. It is voluntarily agreed upon by the parties, with or without the
intervention of the DOLE.
1. AFFILIATION.
a. Mother union.
In relation to an affiliate, the federation or national union is commonly
known as the “mother union.” This term is not found in law but
oftentimes, the Supreme Court uses this term to describe a federation or a
national union.
b. Affiliate.
An “affiliate” refers to:
(1) An independent union affiliated with a federation or a national
union; or
(2) A local chapter which has been subsequently granted independent
registration but did not disaffiliate from the federation or national union
which created it.
c. A chartered local/local chapter, not an affiliate.
Based on the above definition and description, technically, a local chapter
created through the mode of chartering by a mother union under Article
234-A of the Labor Code, cannot be properly called an “affiliate” if it has
not acquired any independent registration of its own.
d. Purpose of affiliation.
The purpose is to further strengthen the collective bargaining leverage of
the affiliate. No doubt, the purpose of affiliation by a local union with a
mother union (federation or national union) is to increase by collective
2. DISAFFILIATION.
a. Right to disaffiliate.
The right of the affiliate union to disaffiliate from its mother federation or
national union is a constitutionally-guaranteed right which may be invoked
by the former at any time. It is axiomatic that an affiliate union is a separate
and voluntary association free to serve the interest of all its members -
consistent with the freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution.
b. Disaffiliation of independently-registered union and local
chapter, distinguished.
The disaffiliation of an independently-registered union does not affect its
legitimate status as a labor organization.
2. GRIEVANCE MACHINERY.
“Grievance machinery” refers to the mechanism for the adjustment and
resolution of grievances arising from the interpretation or implementation
of a CBA and those arising from the interpretation or enforcement of
company personnel policies.
3. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE.
“Grievance procedure” refers to the internal rules of procedure
established by the parties in their CBA with voluntary arbitration as the
terminal step, which are intended to resolve all issues arising from the
implementation and interpretation of their collective agreement. It is that
part of the CBA which provides for a peaceful way of settling differences
and misunderstanding between the parties.
The terms “grievance procedure” and “grievance machinery” may
be used interchangeably.
2. REPRESENTATION ASPECT.
The phrase “representation aspect” in Article 253-A of the Labor Code
3. UNION SECURITY
1. NATURE AND PURPOSE OF UNION SECURITY CLAUSE.
The “union security clause” allows the parties thereto to enter into an
agreement requiring compulsory membership in the bargaining
agent which successfully negotiated said CBA as a condition for
continued employment with the exception of employees who are
already members of another union at the time of the signing of the CBA.
“Union security” is a generic term which is applied to and comprehends
“closed shop,” “union shop,” “maintenance of membership” or any other
form of agreement which imposes upon the employees the obligation to
acquire or retain union membership as a condition to their continued
employment. In other words, the purpose of a union security
arrangement is to guarantee the continued existence of the
union through enforced membership for the benefit of the
workers.
Without this clause, the existence of the union is always subject to
uncertainty as its members may resign anytime resulting in the decimation
of its ranks. The union becomes gradually weakened and increasingly
vulnerable to company machinations. In this security clause lies the
strength of the union during the enforcement of the CBA. It is this clause
that provides labor with substantial power in collective bargaining.
Modification of arrangements.
The above classification admits of certain modified types which the parties
may agree upon in the CBA depending on the peculiar requirements of the
situation.
2. CLOSED-SHOP AGREEMENT.
A “closed-shop” may be defined as a scheme in which, by agreement
between the employer and its employees through their bargaining
union/agent, no person may be employed unless he or she is, becomes, and,
for the duration of the agreement, remains a member in good standing of
the bargaining union. Basically, this kind of agreement stipulates the
undertaking by the employer not to hire or employ any person who is not a
member of the bargaining union. Once employed, it is required that the
said person should remain a member of the bargaining union in good
standing as a condition for continued employment, at least during the
whole duration of the CBA.
V. DISCRIMINATION
1. COVERAGE OF PROHIBITION.
What is prohibited as unfair labor practice under the law is to discriminate
in regard to wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of
employment in order to encourage or discourage membership in any labor
organization.
2. CASE LAW.
The act of the employer in refusing to implement the negotiated wage
increase stipulated in the CBA, which increase is intended to be distinct and
separate from any other benefits or privileges that may be forthcoming to
the employees, is an unfair
labor practice. Refusal for a considerable number of years to give salary
adjustments according to the improved salary scales in the CBA is an unfair
labor practice.
II. DISCRIMINATION
1. CONCEPT.
Under Article 249(b), it is ULP for a labor organization, its officers, agents
or representatives to cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate
against an employee, including discrimination against an employee with
respect to whom
membership in such organization has been denied, or to terminate an
employee on any ground other than the usual terms and conditions under
which membership or continuation of membership is made available to
other members.
2. STRIKE.
“Strike” means any temporary stoppage of work by the concerted action of
the employees as a result of an industrial or labor dispute.
b. Forms and classification of strikes.
3. LOCKOUT.
“Lockout” means the temporary refusal by an employer to furnish work as a
result of an industrial or labor dispute.
It consists of the following:
1. Shutdowns;
2. Mass retrenchment and dismissals initiated by the employer.
3. The employer’s act of excluding employees who are union members.
4. PICKETING.
“Picketing” is the act of workers in peacefully marching to and fro before an
establishment involved in a labor dispute generally accompanied by the
carrying and display of signs, placards and banners intended to inform the
public about the dispute.
b. Basic requirements.
As to the personality of the union, the following requirements should be
shown before a strike may be validly declared and staged:
a. The union should be legitimate. A strike conducted by a union which
has not been shown to be a legitimate labor organization is illegal.
b. Grounds.
The employer may declare a lockout based on any of the two (2) grounds
that may similarly be invoked by the union in staging a strike, i.e., (1)
bargaining deadlock; and/or (2) unfair labor practice.
I. FIRST REQUISITE:
EXISTENCE OF VALID AND FACTUAL GROUND/S
1. VALID GROUNDS.
The law recognizes only 2 grounds in support of a valid strike, viz.:
1. Collective bargaining deadlock (Economic Strike); and/or
2. Unfair labor practice (Political Strike).
A strike not based on any of these two grounds is illegal.
2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of a strike vote is to ensure that the decision to strike broadly
V. FIFTH REQUISITE:
SUBMISSION OF THE STRIKE VOTE TO NCMB-DOLE
1. PURPOSE FOR REQUIRING A STRIKE VOTE REPORT.
The evident intention of the law in mandatorily requiring the submission of
the strike vote report is to afford the NCMB of opportunity to verify the
truth and veracity of the majority vote by the union members in support of
the intended strike.
2. WHEN TO SUBMIT THE STRIKE VOTE REPORT.
The strike vote report should be submitted to the NCMB-DOLE at least
seven (7) days before the actual staging of the intended strike, subject to
the observance of the cooling-off periods provided under the law.
5. RETURN-TO-WORK ORDER.
a. It is always part of assumption/certification order even if not
expressly stated therein.
The moment the DOLE Secretary assumes jurisdiction over a labor dispute
involving national interest or certifies it to the NLRC for compulsory
arbitration, such assumption or certification has the effect of automatically
enjoining the intended or impending strike or, if one has already been
commenced, of automatically prohibiting its continuation. The mere
issuance of an assumption or certification order automatically carries with
it a return-to-work order, even if the directive to return to work is not
expressly stated therein. It is thus not necessary for the DOLE Secretary to
issue another order directing the strikers to return to work.
It is error therefore for striking workers to continue with their strike
alleging absence of a return-to-work order since Article 263(g) is clear that
once an assumption/certification order is issued, strikes are enjoined or, if
one has already taken place, all strikers should immediately return to work.
Example:
University of Sto. Tomas v. NLRC, where the teachers ordered to
return to work could not be given back their academic assignments since
the return-to-work order of the DOLE Secretary was issued in the middle of
the first semester of the academic year. The Supreme Court affirmed the
validity of the payroll reinstatement order of the NLRC and ruled that the
NLRC did not commit grave abuse of discretion in providing for the
alternative remedy of payroll reinstatement. It observed that the NLRC was
only trying its best to work out a satisfactory ad hoc solution to a festering
and serious problem.
9. ILLEGAL STRIKE
(1) Violation of Article 264(e) of the Labor Code which provides that “[n]o
person engaged in picketing shall commit
any act of violence, coercion or intimidation or obstruct the free ingress to
or egress from the employer’s premises
for lawful purposes, or obstruct public thoroughfares.”
(2) Commission of crimes and other unlawful acts in carrying out the strike.
(3) Violation of any order, prohibition, or injunction issued by the DOLE
Secretary or NLRC in connection with the assumption of jurisdiction or
certification order under Article 263(g) of the Labor Code.
This enumeration is not exclusive as jurisprudence abounds where the term
10. INJUNCTIONS
TOPIC NO. 8
A. LABOR ARBITER
1. THE LABOR ARBITER.
The Labor Arbiter is an official in the Arbitration Branch of the National
Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) who hears and decides cases falling
under his original and exclusive jurisdiction as provided by law.
1. JURISDICTION
1. NATURE OF JURISDICTION OF LABOR ARBITERS -
ORIGINAL AND EXCLUSIVE.
The jurisdiction conferred by Article 217 upon the Labor Arbiters is both
original and exclusive, meaning, no other officers or tribunals can take
cognizance of, or hear and decide, any of the cases therein enumerated.
2. ILLUSTRATIVE CASE.
In Department of Foreign Affairs v. NLRC,1 involving an illegal
dismissal case filed against the Asian Development Bank (ADB), it was
ruled that said entity enjoys immunity from legal process of every form and
therefore the suit against it cannot prosper. And this immunity extends to
its officers who also enjoy immunity in respect of all acts performed by
them in their official capacity. The Charter and the Headquarters
Agreement granting these immunities and privileges to the ADB are treat
covenants and commitments voluntarily assumed by the Philippine
government which must be respected.
I. APPEAL IN GENERAL
1. APPEAL, MEANING AND NATURE.
The term “appeal” refers to the elevation by an aggrieved party to an
agency vested with appellate authority of any decision, resolution or order
disposing the principal issues of a case rendered by an agency vested with
original jurisdiction, undertaken by filing a memorandum of appeal.
3. REQUISITES.
The requisites for perfection of appeal to the NLRC are as follows:
(1) Observance of the reglementary period;
(2) Payment of appeal and legal research fee;
V. MEMORANDUM OF APPEAL
1. REQUISITES.
The requisites for a valid Memorandum of Appeal are as follows:
1. The Memorandum of Appeal should be verified by the appellant himself
in accordance with the Rules of Court, as amended;
2. It should be presented in three (3) legibly typewritten or printed copies;
3. It shall state the grounds relied upon and the arguments in support
thereof, including the relief prayed for;
4. It shall contain a statement of the date the appellant received the
appealed decision, award or order; and
5. It shall be accompanied by:
(i) proof of payment of the required appeal fee and legal research fee;
(ii) posting of a cash or surety bond (in case of monetary awards); and
(iii) proof of service upon the other party.
1. NATURE.
The NLRC is an administrative quasi-judicial body. It is an agency attached
to the DOLE solely for program and policy coordination only. It is in
charge of deciding labor cases through compulsory arbitration.
2. COMPOSITION OF THE NLRC.
The NLRC is composed of a Chairman and twenty-three (23) members
called “Commissioners.” The NLRC has tripartite composition. Eight
(8) members thereof should be chosen only from among the nominees of
the workers sector and another eight (8) from the employers sector.
The Chairman and the seven (7) remaining members shall come from the
public sector, with the latter to be chosen preferably from among the
incumbent Labor Arbiters.
3. COMMISSION EN BANC.
The Commission sits en banc only for the following purposes:
(1) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the hearing and
disposition of cases before any of its divisions and regional branches; and
(2) To formulate policies affecting its administration and operations.
The NLRC does not sit en banc to hear and decide cases. The en
banc has no adjudicatory power. The Commission exercises its
adjudicatory and all other powers, functions, and duties through
its eight (8) Divisions.
4. NLRC’S EIGHT (8) DIVISIONS.
The NLRC is divided into eight (8) divisions, each one is comprised of three
(3) members. Each Division shall consist of one (1) member from the public
sector who shall act as its Presiding Commissioner and one (1) member
each from the workers and employers sectors, respectively.
1. JURISDICTION
1. TWO (2) KINDS OF JURISDICTION.
The NLRC exercises two (2) kinds of jurisdiction:
1. Exclusive original jurisdiction; and
2. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction.
2. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
The NLRC exercises exclusive and original jurisdiction over the following
cases:
a. Petition for injunction in ordinary labor disputes to enjoin or
restrain any actual or threatened commission of any or all prohibited or
unlawful acts or to require the performance of a particular act in any labor
dispute which, if not restrained or performed forthwith, may cause grave or
irreparable damage to any party.
b. Petition for injunction in strikes or lockouts under Article 264 of
the Labor Code.
c. Certified cases which refer to labor disputes causing or likely to cause a
strike or lockout in an industry indispensable to the national interest,
certified to it by the Secretary of Labor and Employment for compulsory
arbitration by virtue of Article 263(g) of the Labor Code.
d. Petition to annul or modify the order or resolution (including those
issued during execution proceedings) of the Labor Arbiter.
3. EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION.
The NLRC exercises exclusive appellate jurisdiction over the following:
a. All cases decided by the Labor Arbiters.
b. Cases decided by the DOLE Regional Directors or hearing officers
involving small money claims under Article 129 of the Labor Code.
c. Contempt cases decided by the Labor Arbiters.
3. REMEDIES
1. EXTRAORDINARY REMEDIES.
a. Nature.
The power of the Commission (NLRC) to grant extraordinary remedies
mentioned in No. 3 above is not provided in the Labor Code or in any other
laws. It is a newly created remedy which saw light for the first time under
Rule XII of the 2011 NLRC Rules of Procedure. Past NLRC Rules did not
b. Grounds.
The petition filed under this Rule may be entertained only on any of the
following grounds:
(a) If there is prima facie evidence of abuse of discretion on the part of the
Labor Arbiter;
(b) If serious errors in the findings of facts are raised which, if not
corrected, would cause grave or irreparable damage or injury to the
petitioner;
(c) If a party by fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence has been
prevented from taking an appeal;
(d) If made purely on questions of law; or
(e) If the order or resolution will cause injustice if not rectified.
1. JURISDICTION
(ORIGINAL AND APPELLATE)
1. INTRODUCTION.
For purposes of clarity in the otherwise labyrinthine issue of jurisdiction
and procedure in the BLR, there is a need to cite first the cases over which
the following officials have their respective jurisdictions:
(1) Mediator-Arbiter (Med-Arbiter);
(2) DOLE Regional Director; and
(3) BLR Director.
The Mediator-Arbiter and the DOLE Regional Director exercise
2. CASES COVERED.
There are three (3) general classifications of the cases covered by
the jurisdiction of said officials, to wit:
(a) Inter-union disputes;
(b) Intra-union disputes; and
(c) Other related labor relations disputes.
1. NATURE OF PROCEEDINGS
1. NCMB IS NOT A QUASI-JUDICIAL AGENCY.
NCMB is not a quasi-judicial agency, according to the 2009 case of
Tabigue v. International Copra Export Corporation.2
“Quasi-judicial function” is a term which applies to the action,
discretion, etc. of public administrative officers or bodies, who are required
to investigate facts or ascertain the existence of facts, hold hearings, and
draw conclusions from them
as a basis for their official action and to exercise discretion of a judicial
nature.
2. NOT BEING A QUASI-JUDICIAL AGENCY, NCMB’S RULINGS
CANNOT BE ELEVATED TO, AND COGNIZABLE BY, THE
COURT OF APPEALS.
Rule 43 of the Rules of Court applies only to awards, judgments, final
orders or resolutions of or authorized by any quasi-judicial agency in
the exercise of its quasi-judicial functions. Hence, NCMB’s decision, not
having been rendered by a quasi-judicial body, cannot be elevated to the
Court of Appeals under said rule.
3. PREVENTIVE MEDIATION
1. PREVENTIVE MEDIATION AS A REMEDY.
“Preventive mediation,” as a remedy, is not found in the Labor Code. But
under the law which created the NCMB, it is expressly stated that one of its
1. JURISDICTION
1. JURISDICTION OF THE DOLE REGIONAL DIRECTORS.
The DOLE Regional Directors have original and exclusive jurisdiction over
the following cases:
(a) Labor standards enforcement cases under Article 128;
(b) Small money claims cases arising from labor standards violations in the
amount not exceeding P5,000.00 and not accompanied with a claim for
reinstatement under Article 129;
(c) Occupational safety and health violations;
(d) Registration of unions and cancellation thereof, cases filed against
unions and other labor relations related cases;
(e) Complaints against private recruitment and placement agencies
(PRPAs) for local employment; and
(f) Cases submitted to them for voluntary arbitration in their capacity as
Ex-Officio Voluntary Arbitrators (EVAs) under Department Order
No. 83-07, Series of 2007.
2. ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.
The DOLE Regional Directors exercise original jurisdiction over the
following:
(a) Cases involving inspection of establishments to determine compliance
with labor standards (Visitorial Power); and (b) Cases involving issuance
of compliance orders and writs of execution (Enforcement Power).
3. VISITORIAL POWER OF REGIONAL DIRECTORS UNDER
ARTICLE 128(a).
Pursuant to their visitorial power under Article 128(a), the DOLE Regional
Directors shall have:
(a) access to employer’s records and premises at any time of the day or
night, whenever work is being undertaken therein; and
(b) the right:
(1) to copy from said records;
(2) to question any employee and investigate any fact, condition or matter
which may be necessary to determine violations or which may aid in the
enforcement of the Labor Code and of any labor law, wage order, or rules
and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
1. JURISDICTION.
As EVAs, the DOLE Regional Directors and their Assistants have
jurisdiction over the following cases:
(a) All grievances arising from the interpretation or implementation of the
CBA;
(b) All grievances arising from the interpretation or enforcement of
company personnel policies which remain unresolved after exhaustion of
the grievance procedure;
(c) Cases referred to them by the DOLE Secretary under the DOLE’s
Administrative Intervention for Dispute
Avoidance (AIDA) initiative (provided under DOLE Circular No. 1, Series
of 2006); and
F. DOLE SECRETARY
1. POWERS OF THE DOLE SECRETARY.
The DOLE Secretary, being the head of the Department of Labor and
Employment, is possessed of a number of powers, some of which are
mentioned in the syllabus, to wit:
1. Visitorial and enforcement powers;
2. Power to suspend/effects of termination;
3. Assumption of jurisdiction;
4. Appellate jurisdiction; and
5. Voluntary arbitration powers.
3. ASSUMPTION OF JURISDICTION
The DOLE Secretary is granted under Article 263(g) of the Labor Code, the
extraordinary police power of assuming jurisdiction over a labor dispute
which, in his opinion, will cause or likely to cause a strike or lockout in an
industry indispensable to the national interest, or the so-called “national
interest” cases. Alternatively, he may certify the labor dispute to the
NLRC for compulsory arbitration.
4. APPELLATE JURISDICTION
c. Interest disputes.
Bargaining deadlocks are often referred to as “interest disputes.” This
kind of disputes relates to disputes over the formation of collective
agreements or efforts to secure them. They arise where there is no such
agreement or where it is sought to change the terms of one and therefore
I.
III. JURISDICTION OVER OTHER LABOR DISPUTES
Under Article 262 of the Labor Code, upon agreement of the parties, the
Voluntary Arbitrator or panel of Voluntary Arbitrators may also hear and
decide all other labor disputes, including unfair labor practices
and bargaining deadlocks.
2. HOW INITIATED.
Based on the foregoing discussion, an arbitration may be initiated either by
way of:
(1) A Submission Agreement; or
(2) A Demand or Notice to Arbitrate invoking the arbitration clause in the
CBA; or
(3) An Appointment from the NCMB.
A “Submission Agreement” refers to a written agreement by the parties
submitting their case for arbitration, containing a statement of the issues,
the name of their chosen Voluntary Arbitrator and a stipulation and an
undertaking to abide by and comply with the resolution that may be
rendered therein, including the cost of arbitration.
A “Notice to Arbitrate” refers to a formal demand made by one party to the
other for the arbitration of a particular dispute in the event of refusal by
one party in a CBA to submit the same to arbitration
(c) REMEDIES
H. COURT OF APPEALS
1. RULE 65, RULES OF COURT
1. RULE 65 PETITION FOR CERTIORARI, THE ONLY MODE OF
ELEVATING A LABOR CASE TO THE COURT OF
APPEALS.
The only mode by which a labor case decided by any of the following labor
authorities/tribunals may reach the Court of Appeals is through a Rule 65
petition for certiorari.
(a) the DOLE Secretary;
(b) the Commission (NLRC); and
(c) the Director of the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) in cases decided by
him in his appellate jurisdiction (as distinguished from those he decides
in his original jurisdiction which are appealable to the DOLE Secretary).
The remedy of ordinary appeal to the Court of Appeals is not available
from their decisions, orders or awards. The reason for this rule is that their
decisions, orders or awards are final and executory and therefore
inappealable.
I. SUPREME COURT
J. PRESCRIPTION OF ACTIONS
1. MONEY CLAIMS CASES.
a. Prescriptive period is three (3) years under Article 291 of the
Labor Code. - The prescriptive period of all money claims and benefits
arising from employer-employee relations is 3 years from the time the
cause of action accrued; otherwise, they shall be forever barred.
b. All other money claims of workers prescribe in 3 years. - Article
291 contemplates all money claims arising from employer-employee
relationship, including:
1. Money claims arising from the CBA.
2. Incremental proceeds from tuition increases.
3. Money claims of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Note must be made that in the 2010 case of Southeastern Shipping v.
Navarra, Jr.,4 the 1-year prescriptive period in Section 28 of