Survivorship Benefits to Legimate Spouse and Dependent Children of Deceased Retired Labor Arbiter

Sentate Office of the scorctarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 26 FEB -5 P3:48 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1778 S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT GRANTING SURVIVORSHIP BENEFITS TO THE SURVIVING LEGITIMATE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF A DECEASED RETIRED CHAIRPERSON, COMMISSIONER OR LABOR ARBITER OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Under Articles 213 to 224 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) is established as a quasi-judicial body that is empowered to resolve labor and management disputes. Its Chairperson, Commissioners, and Labor Arbiters perform functions related to the protection of the rights and welfare of both the employers and the employees, a vital duty in preserving the industrial and labor peace in the country. However, despite the gravity of their duties, the existing laws does not provide survivorship benefits to the families of NLRC officials who faced demise after retirement. With the enactment of Republic Act. 9946, members of the Judiciary and their beneficiaries were granted additional retirement and survivorship benefits. On the other hand, the chairperson, commissioners and labor arbiters of the NLRC were not covered by the increase in the retirement and survivorship grants. This inequity leaves the surviving legitimate spouses and dependent children of deceased and retired NLRC

officials without the same level of financial protection afforded to similarly situated public servants. In remedy, this proposed measure seeks to grant survivorship benefits to the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of a deceased retired Chairperson, Commissioner, or Labor Arbiter of the NLRC that is at par with the members of the Judiciary, thereby aligning with the State's policy of recognizing and rewarding meritorious public service. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LI A WRENCE "BONG" T. GO

: Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE FEB -5 P3:48 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1778 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT GRANTING SURVIVORSHIP BENEFITS TO THE SURVIVING LEGITIMATE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF A DECEASED RETIRED CHAIRPERSON, COMMISSIONER OR LABOR ARBITER OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. In case of death of the chairperson, commissioner or labor arbiter of

the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), who has retired, or was eligible for 3 optional retirement at the time of death, the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent 4 children of the deceased is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, all the retirement 5 benefits that the deceased chairperson, commissioner or labor arbiter of the NLRC would have received at the time of demise. For purposes of this Act, "dependent children" refers to a legitimate, illegitimate or 9 legally adopted child who is chiefly dependent on the said deceased chairperson, commissioner or labor arbiter, 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 any mental or physical defect or condition.

', i The surviving legitimate spouse shall continue to receive such retirement benefits until the death or remarriage of the said surviving spouse: Provided, That the surviving spouse and dependent children shall each equally share the retirement benefits.

SEC. 2. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be

6 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.

SEC. 3. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent

with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,