G.R. No.

L-41106

September 22, 1977

LITEX EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, petitioner

VS.
GEORGE A. EDUVALA, in his capacity as Officer-in-Charge, BUREAU OF LABOR
RELATIONS
Department of Labor and FEDERATION OFFREE WORKERS (F.F.W), respondents

FERNANDO, J.:
Topic: Legislative intent, purpose and meaning.

FACT:
Petitioner sought to be nullified is an order of Respondent George A.
Eduvala, then the Officer-in-Charge of the Bureau of Labor Relations, requiring a
referendum election among the Petitioners. It is ascertain to their wishes as to their
affiliation with Federation of Free Workers. Petitioners contended that there was no
authorization for the Respondent to require referendum election, and the Respondent
and the Bureau were beyond jurisdiction.

ISSUE:
Whether or not there is a statute authorizing respondents and giving them
jurisdiction for holding of such referendum election.

HELD:Petition denied. Art. 226 of the Labor Code addressed this. Respondent and the
Bureau were within jurisdiction. The Labor Code is cited original and exclusive authority
to act.
Art. 226 of the Labor Code:
The Bureau of Labor Relations and the Labor Relations Division in the regional offices
of the Labor shall have and exclusive authority to act, at their own initiation or upon
request of either or both parties, on all inter-union or inrta-union conflicts and disputes
grievances of probe arising from or affecting labor-management relations in all work
places whether natural or non-agricultural, except those arising from the implementation
or interpretation of collective bargaining agreements which shall be subject to grievance
Procedure and/or voluntary arbitration.