Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 254)
The Court of Industrial Relations has jurisdiction over the entire Philippines to consider, investigate, decide, and settle all questions, matters, controversies, or disputes arising between, and/or affecting employers and employees or laborers, and landlords and tenants or farm-laborers, and regulate the relations between them.
The Court consists of a Senior Judge and two other Judges, all appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the National Assembly.
The Judges must have the same qualifications provided in the Constitution for members of the Supreme Court.
They hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office.
They may be suspended or removed in the same manner and upon the same grounds as the Judges of the Courts of First Instance.
The Senior Judge receives an annual compensation of eleven thousand pesos, while the two other Judges receive ten thousand pesos each annually. They are also entitled to traveling expenses and per diems when performing official duties outside Manila.
The Department of Justice has executive supervision over the Court.
If a party requests reconsideration, or at the request of any Judge, the Judges shall sit together, and a majority concurrence is necessary for the decision, order, or award.
Yes, the President may temporarily assign them to act as Judges in any Courts of First Instance, but in such cases, they do not receive per diems.
They must take and subscribe an oath declaring that they shall faithfully and impartially perform their duties and that, except in the discharge of their duties, they will not disclose any evidence or matters brought before the Court.