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Limitation On The Conferment of Quasi-Judicial Powers
Limitation On The Conferment of Quasi-Judicial Powers
Limitation On The Conferment of Quasi-Judicial Powers
FACTS
Manuel Gonzales (private respondent) claimed that he
was employed as a driver of Bill Miller (petitioner),
manager of the Miller Motors, from December 1, 1956
up to October 31, 1957. Gonzales alleged that he was
arbitrarily dismissed without being paid separation pay.
In pursuing his claim, Miller filed a complaint before the
Department of Labors Regional Office no. 3 to recover
separation pay plus damages. Upon receipt of said
complaing, Chief Hearing Officer Atanacio Mardo
required Bill Miller to file an answer. While this
complaint is pending before the Department of Labor,
Miller filed a case before the Court of First Instance
(CFI) praying for a judgment that would prohibit
Hearing Officer Mardo from proceeding on the
complaint. The CFI in turn required Mardo and Gonzales
to file their answer. In reply, Mardo and Gonzales moved
for the dismissal of Millers complaint on the ground of
lack of jurisdiction, improper venue, and nonexhaustion of administrative remedies. According to the
respondents, the Reorganization Plan no. 20-A, which
was prepared and submitted by the GOVERNMENT
SURVEY
AND
REOGRANIZATION
COMMISSION
conferred upon the Regional Offices of the Department
of Labor exclusive and original jurisdiction over all
cases affecting money claims arising from violations of
labor standards or working conditions, pursuant to
Republic Act no. 997, as amended by Republic Act no.
1241.
The specific provision relied upon the respondents (as
well as the other parties in this consolidated case) is
Section 4 of Republic Act 997, as amended by Republic
Act no. 1241, which empowers the GOVERNMENT
RESURVEY AND REORGANIZATION COMMISSION:
the
instant