Law Summary
Administrative and Legal Support Structure
- The Chairman has exclusive administrative supervision over the Commission, branches, personnel, and labor arbiters.
- The Commission en banc is assisted by an Executive Clerk; its divisions by Deputy Executive Clerks.
- Commission Attorneys assist in appellate and adjudicatory functions, must be members of the Philippine Bar with at least one year labor relations experience.
- Commission Attorneys serve with terms coterminous with their assigned Commissioners and earn salaries comparable to Salary Grade 26.
- Labor Arbiters cannot function as Commission Attorneys or be detailed to Commissioners' offices.
Headquarters, Branches, and Extension Units
- The Commission and divisions 1-6 are headquartered in Metropolitan Manila.
- Divisions 7 and 8 are located in Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro respectively.
- Regional branches correspond to Department of Labor and Employment regional offices, with subregional and provincial units as needed.
- Sufficient labor arbiters shall be appointed to ensure effective operations.
Qualifications and Appointment of Commissioners and Labor Arbiters
- Chairman and Commissioners must be Philippine Bar members with 15 years legal practice and at least 5 years in labor-management relations.
- Labor Arbiters must be Philippine Bar members with 10 years legal practice and at least 5 years experience in labor relations.
- Officials hold office during good behavior until age 65; term may be extended to 70 upon Commission recommendation.
- Appointment is by the President: Commissioners from sector nominees corresponding to predecessor; Labor Arbiters upon Commission en banc recommendation.
- Labor Arbiters in their resident region at enactment are deemed appointed.
- Chairman appoints staff subject to Civil Service Law, with authority to upgrade salaries.
Salaries, Benefits, and Rank
- Chairman and Commissioners have ranks, salaries, and benefits equivalent to Presiding Justice and Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals.
- Labor Arbiters are equivalent in rank, salary, retirement, and benefits to Regional Trial Court Judges.
- No diminution of current salaries or benefits is allowed by these provisions.
Implementation and Other Provisions
- The creation of additional divisions is limited to a maximum of three years for implementation.
- Separability clause ensures invalidation of any provision does not affect the rest of the Act.
- Repeals any laws inconsistent with this Act, including prior provisions of the Labor Code.
- The Act took effect 15 days after its official publication, ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements.