NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION (NLRC)

1. NATURE.
The NLRC is an administrative quasi-judicial body. It is an agency attached to the DOLE solely
for program and policy coordination only. It is in charge of deciding labor cases through
compulsory arbitration.

2. COMPOSITION OF THE NLRC.

The NLRC is composed of a Chairman and twenty-three (23) members called
“Commissioners.” The NLRC has tripartite composition. Eight (8) members thereof should be
chosen only from among the nominees of the workers sector and another eight (8) from the
employers sector. The Chairman and the seven (7) remaining members shall come from the
public sector, with the latter to be chosen preferably from among the incumbent Labor Arbiters.

3. COMMISSION EN BANC.
The Commission sits en banc only for the following purposes:
(1) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the hearing and disposition of cases before
any of its divisions and regional branches; and
(2) To formulate policies affecting its administration and operations.

Note: The NLRC does not sit en banc to hear and decide cases. The banc has no
adjudicatory power. The Commission exercises its adjudicatory and all other powers,
functions, and duties through its eight (8) Divisions.

4. NLRC’S EIGHT (8) DIVISIONS.

The NLRC is divided into eight (8) divisions, each one is comprised of three (3) members. Each
Division shall consist of one (1) member from the public sector who shall act as its Presiding
Commissioner and one (1) member each from the workers and employers sectors, respectively.

Note: The various Divisions of the Commission have exclusive appellate jurisdiction over
cases within their respective territorial jurisdictions.

JURISDICTION OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION (NLRC)

1. TWO (2) KINDS OF JURISDICTION.
The NLRC exercises two (2) kinds of jurisdiction:
1. Exclusive original jurisdiction; and
2. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction.

2. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.

The NLRC exercises exclusive and original jurisdiction over the following cases:
a. Petition for injunction in ordinary labor disputes to enjoin or restrain any actual or
threatened commission of any or all prohibited or unlawful acts or to require the performance of
a particular act in any labor dispute which, if not restrained or performed forthwith, may cause
grave or irreparable damage to any party.
b. Petition for injunction in strikes or lockouts under Article 264 of the Labor Code.
c. Certified cases which refer to labor disputes causing or likely to cause a strike or lockout in
an industry indispensable to the national interest, certified to it by the Secretary of Labor and
Employment for compulsory arbitration by virtue of Article 263(g) of the Labor Code.
d. Petition to annul or modify the order or resolution (including those issued during execution
proceedings) of the Labor Arbiter.

3. EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION.

The NLRC exercises exclusive appellate jurisdiction over the following:
a. All cases decided by the Labor Arbiters.
b. Cases decided by the DOLE Regional Directors or hearing officers involving small money
claims under Article 129 of the Labor Code.
c. Contempt cases decided by the Labor Arbiters.