Rationalizing the Benefits of the Chairperson, Commissioners, and Labor Arbiters of Nlrc

Senate an Office of the soccretir TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FEB 26 P2:04 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED 6Y: S. No. 1915 Introduced by SENATOR MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE BENEFITS OF THE CHAIRPERSON, COMMISSIONERS, AND LABOR ARBITERS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442 OR THE "LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES," AS AMENDED, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 910, AS AMENDED EXPLANATORY NOTE The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) plays a vital role in promoting industrial peace and upholding social justice in the Philippines. Under Section 223 of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 442 or the "Labor Code of the Philippines," its Chairperson, Commissioners, and Labor Arbiters enjoy parity in rank, salary, and benefits with members of the judiciary, specifically, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA), Associate Justices of the CA, and RTC Judges, respectively. In 2010, Republic Act (RA) No. 9946 amended RA No. 910 by expanding the retirement and other benefits of members of the Judiciary, including survivorship benefits to their families. In discharging its mandate, the NLRC consistently performs in an exceptional manner. In 2024, the Commission on Audit noted its effective implementation of the Labor Arbitration Program, and in 2025, it was recognized by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as one of the top-performing government agencies. Despite these contributions and the intent of the Labor Code, NLRC officials and their families face the iniquitous reality that they do not enjoy survivorship benefits

that could provide protection from the economic impacts of death. This is because, as an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, funding for their retirement and other benefits was transferred from the Government Service Insurance System to the DBM in 2008, inadvertently creating a gap that undermines their well- being and the spirit of the law. Thus, this bill restores the parity envisioned under the Labor Code by expressly granting NLRC officials and their beneficiaries the allowances and benefits enjoyed by members of the Judiciary, including survivorship benefits under RA 910, as amended. In passing this measure, we can uphold justice, honor the invaluable service of NLRC officials in advancing social justice, ensure the financial security and dignity of their families, and correct the unintended distortions in benefits that affect them. In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. miri MARK A. VILLAR

Senate Office of this Sorrelay TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) FEB 26 P2:04 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY 1915 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE BENEFITS OF THE CHAIRPERSON, COMMISSIONERS, AND LABOR ARBITERS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442 OR THE "LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES," AS AMENDED, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 910, AS AMENDED Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Article 223, Chapter I, Title II, Book Five of Presidential Decree

2 No. 442 or the "Labor Code of the Philippines," as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: "Art. 223. Salaries, Benefits, and Emoluments. - The [Chairman] CHAIRPERSON and members of the Commission shall have the same rank, receive an annual salary equivalent to, and be entitled to the same allowances, retirement, SURVIVORSHIP, and OTHER 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, SURVIVORSHIP, 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, RETIREMENT, and benefits of the aforementioned officials."

SEC. 2. The Chairperson, members, and Labor Arbiters of the National Labor

2 Relations Commission (NLRC) are hereby entitled to receive survivorship and other 3 benefits under Republic Act No. 910 or "An Act to Provide for the Retirement of Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, for the Enforcement of the 5 Provisions Hereof by the Government Service Insurance System, and to Repeal 6 Commonwealth Act Numbered Five Hundred and Thirty-Six," as amended. They shall 7 also be entitled to all other allowances, retirement, and other benefits and privileges 8 granted in favor of members of the judiciary or equivalent rank as may hereinafter be granted by law, rules, or regulations.

SEC. 3. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this

11 Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Labor and Employment, upon the recommendation of the NLRC, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, and administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the

completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,