Facts:

• Mercy A. de Vera, operating as M. C. Book Store, is the petitioner against respondents Flordeliza Paloma Supitran, Cecilia C. Puray, F. A. Fuentes, and Geronimo Cordero.
• On January 6, 1958, de Vera filed a petition in the Court of First Instance of Manila.
• Supitran, a former bookkeeper, filed a complaint on September 10, 1957, seeking P1,759.44 for overtime, wage differentials, and maternity leave.
• Puray, a former saleslady, filed a complaint on October 24, 1957, claiming P4,237.06 for wage differentials, overtime, maternity leave, and separation pay.
• Fuentes and Cordero were the Administrator and Hearing Officer of the Regional Office of the Department of Labor.
• De Vera argued that the respondents exceeded their authority by hearing the claims, lacking judicial or quasi-judicial powers.
• A writ of preliminary injunction was sought to stop the hearings and declare the Regional Office's lack of jurisdiction.
• The respondents claimed authority under Republic Act No. 997, asserting quasi-judicial functions.
• On January 31, 1958, a stipulation of facts was entered, and on May 27, 1958, the Court ruled in favor of de Vera.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision, confirming that the Regional Office No. 3 of the Department of Labor lacked the authority to hear the claims.
• The Court determined that Reorganization Plan No. 20-A was...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Court's ruling was based on the conclusion that Reorganization Plan No. 20-A, which aimed to provide Regional Offices with jurisdiction over laborers' money claims, was not enacted as required by the Constitution.
• It referenced Section 21, Article VI of the 1935 Constitution, which mandates that a...continue reading