LABOR LAW mechanisms that govern the 

individual and
LABOR
It is the exertion by human beings of
physical or mental efforts, or both, towards the
production of goods and services. (Poquiz, 2012,
p. 1) The State affirms labor as a primary social
economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare. (1987
Constitution, Art. II, Sec. 18)
LABOR LAW
The law that governs the rights and duties of the
employer (Er) and employees (Ee) with
respect to:  to labor, this Court must ensure equal work
1. The terms and conditions of employment,
and  promoting their welfare and reaffirming it as a
2. Labor disputes arising from collective
bargaining or other concerted activity respecting
such terms and conditions.
CLASSIFICATION OF LABOR
LAWS
collective interactions of Ers, Ees or
their representatives. 
E.g. Collective bargaining negotiations
Social Legislation - All laws passed by the State
to promote public welfare. Laws that provide
particular kinds of protection or benefits to
society or segments thereof in furtherance of
social justice. It includes statutes intended to
enhance the welfare of the people even where
there is no Er-Ee relationship. 
E.g. GSIS Law, SSS Law, Phil health benefits, 
Agrarian Laws
Protection to labor - In affording full protection
opportunities regardless of sex, race or creed
giving maximum aid and protection to labor,
primary social economic force in furtherance of
social justice and national development. 
Case at point: 
(Angelina Francisco v. NLRC. G.R. No.
170087, August 31, 2006).

1. Labor Standards –The minimum

requirements prescribed by existing laws, rules
Limitation to Protection of Labor:  
and  regulations as to the terms and conditions
of employment relating to wages, hours of  1. Recognition of management rights. (St.
work, cost-of-living allowance, and other Luke’s Medical Center Ees Ass’n v.  NLRC,
monetary and welfare benefits, including  G.R. No. 162053, March 7, 2007)  
• Occupational, safety and health standards.   2. Principle of Non-Oppression. (NCC, Art.
1701) 

DECLARATION OF BASIC
POLICY
Case at point:  
The State shall:  
Maternity Children’s Hospital vs. Secretary of
Labor, G.R. No. 78909, June 30, 1989) • e.g. 1. Afford full protection to labor;  
wages, hours of work, 13th month pay
2. Promote full employment;  
2. Labor Relations – Defines and regulates the
status, rights and duties, and the institutional 3. Ensure equal work opportunities regardless of
sex, race, or creed;  
4. Regulate the relations between workers and
Er; and,   and Milagros Sy v. NLRC and Silvestre
5. Assure the rights of workers to self-
organization, collective bargaining, security of
tenure, and just and humane conditions of work.
(LC, Art. 3) 
SOURCES OF LABOR LAWS
1. Constitution;  Article 22, International Covenant on Civil and
2. Labor Code and other related special
legislation (including their respective IRR);
3. Contracts;  Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Article
4. CBA;  of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
5. Company practices; and, 
6. Company policies;
CONSTRUCTION IN FAVOR OF
LABOR
All doubts in the implementation and
interpretation of the provisions of this Code
including its implementing rules and regulations,
shall be resolved in favor of labor. (LC, Art. 4)
In case of doubt, all labor legislation and all
labor contracts shall be construed in favor of the
safety and decent living for the laborer. (NCC,
Art. 1702) But protection to labor does not mean
oppression or destruction of capital. The Er’s act
will be sustained when it is in the right. (Eastern
Shipping Lines v. POEA, G.R. No. 76633,
October 18, 1988)
COMPASSIONATE JUSTICE
In calling for protection to labor, the
Constitution does not condone wrong doing by
the employee. However, it urges a moderation of
the sanctions that maybe applied to him in the
light of the many disadvantages that weigh
heavily on him like an albatross on his neck. It is
disregarding rigid rules and giving due weight to
all equities of the case. (Gandara Mill Supply
Germano, G.R. No. 126703, December 29,
1998)
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
AND CONCEPTS
1. International Instruments 
Political Rights (ICCPR) 
Articles 6, 7, 8, 9, International Covenant on
11, International Convention on the Elimination
International Labor Organizations Conventions
(ILO 87, 98, 100, 111, 138, etc.)
2. 1987 Constitutions 
3. Labor Code 
4. New Civil Code
1987 CONSTITUTION (STATE
POLICIES, BILLS OF RIGHTS
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE)
Article II, Secs. 9, 10, 18, 20 
Section 9. The State shall promote a just and
dynamic social order that will ensure the
prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people from poverty through policies
that provide adequate social services, promote
full employment, a rising standard of living, and
an improved quality of life for all. 
Section 10. The State shall promote social
justice in all phases of national development.
1. ARTICLE 2 – SECS.9,10,18,20
Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary
social economic force.  It shall protect the rights
of workers and promote their welfare. 
Section 20. The State recognizes the
indispensable role of the private sector,
encourages private enterprise, and provides
incentives to needed investments.
2. ARTICLE 3 – SECS. 1, 8, 10, 16, 18(2)
Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the
freedom of speech, of expression, or of the
press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble and petition the government for
redress of grievances.  NWPC, G.R. No. 96169 (1991) Tirazona vs.
Case at point:  
[Bascon v CA, G.R. No. 144899 (2004)]
Section 8. The right of the people, including
those employed in the public and private sectors,
to form unions, associations, or societies for
purposes not contrary to law shall not be
abridged.  
The right to form associations shall not be
impaired except through a valid exercise of
police power. [Bernas, the 1987 Philippine
Constitution: a Comprehensive Reviewer]
Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of
contracts shall be passed.  decision-making processes affecting their rights
Case at point:  and benefits as may be provided by law.
Leyte Land Transportation Co. vs. Leyte
Farmers & Workers Union, G.R.  No. L-1377
(1948)]
Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a
speedy disposition of their cases before all
judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.  including conciliation, and shall enforce their
Section 18 (2). No involuntary servitude in any
form shall exist except as a punishment for a
crime whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted.
 
3. ARTIICLE 13 – SECS. 2, 3, 13, 14
Section 2.The promotion of social justice shall
include the commitment to create economic
opportunities based on freedom of initiative and
self-reliance. 
Case at point: 
Alalayan vs. National Power Corporation, G.R.
No. L-24396 (1968) 
Employees Confederation of the Philippines vs.
Philippine EDS Techno-Service Inc., G.R. No.
169712 (2009) Agabon vs. NLRC, G.R. No.
158693 (2004)
Section 3. The State shall afford full protection
to labor, local and overseas, organized and
unorganized, and promote full employment and
equality of employment opportunities for all. 
It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to
self-organization, collective bargaining and
negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities,
including the right to strike in accordance with
law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure,
humane conditions of work, and a living wage.
They shall also participate in policy and
Section 3. Xxx 
The State shall promote the principle of
shared responsibility between workers and
employers and the preferential use of voluntary
modes in settling disputes,
mutual compliance therewith to foster industrial
peace. 
The State shall regulate the relations between
workers and employers, recognizing the right of
labor to its just share in the fruits of production
and the right of enterprises to reasonable returns
to investments, and to expansion and growth. 
Section 13. The State shall establish a special Article 4, Labor Code. Construction in favor
agency for disabled person for their of labor. All doubts in the implementation and
rehabilitation, self-development, and self- interpretation of the provisions of this Code,
reliance, and their integration into the including its implementing rules and regulations,
mainstream of society.  shall be resolved in favor of labor.
Section 14. The State shall protect working Case at point: 
women by providing safe and healthful working
conditions, taking into account their maternal Misamis Oriental II Electric Service
functions, and such facilities and opportunities Cooperative vs. Virgilio Cagalawan, G.R. No.
that will enhance their welfare and enable them 175170 (2012 
to realize their full potential in the service of the Hocheng Philippines Corporation v. Farrales,
nation. G.R. No. 211497 (2015 
CIVIL CODE Maynilad Water Supervisors Association vs.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc., G.R. No.
Article 1700. The relations between capital and 198935 (2013)]
labor are not merely contractual. They are so
impressed with public interest that labor Article 1703. No contract which practically
contracts must yield to the common good. amounts to involuntary servitude, under any
Therefore, such contracts are subject to the guise whatsoever, shall be valid.
special laws on labor unions, collective
bargaining, strikes and lockouts, closed shop,
wages, working conditions, hours of labor and TOPIC
similar subjects. 
SUB-TOPIC / ARTICLES
Case at point: 
SAMPLE CASES
PAL Employees Savings and LoanAssn., Inc.
vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 105963 (1996) Innodata SECTION OF THE ARTICLE
Philippines, Inc. vs. Quejada-Lopez, G.R. No.
162839 (2006) 
Cirtek Employees Labor Union-FFW v Cirtek
Electronics, G.R. No. 190515 (2010)]
Case at point: 
PAL Employees Savings and LoanAssn., Inc.
vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 105963 (1996) Innodata
Philippines, Inc. vs. Quejada-Lopez, G.R. No.
162839 (2006) Cirtek Employees Labor Union-
FFW v Cirtek Electronics, G.R. No. 190515
(2010)] Cirtek Employees Labor Union-FFW v
Cirtek Electronics, G.R. No. 190515 (2010

Article 1702. In case of doubt, all labor

legislation and all labor contracts shall be
construed in favor of the safety and decent living
for the laborer.