5. JURISDICTION OF LABOR ARBITERS.

Article 217, regarded as the most amended

provision of the Labor Code, defines the jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters. Its latest amendment by
Rep. Act No. 6715 in 1989 expanded this jurisdiction which is firmly predicated on employer-
employee relationship in cases involving all workers, whether agricultural or non-agricultural. In
unfair labor practice cases, which necessarily entail this relationship, the civil aspects of such
cases, including claims to all forms of damages and other affirmative relief's, are within the
jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters. (NUBE vs. Lazaro, supra). The Labor Arbiters jurisdiction over
termination disputes also includes all the affirmative relief's attached thereto, such as
reinstatement with adjustment of seniority rights and other privileges, award of back wages
inclusive of allowances and other benefits, separation pay, all forms of damages, and attorney's
fees in proper cases. All workers" claims involving wages, rates of pay, hours of work and other
terms and conditions of employment are cognizable by Labor Arbiters if accompanied with a
claim for reinstatement. This covers all other claims arising from employer-employee relations
involving an amount exceeding P5,000, regardless of a claim for reinstatement. If employer-
employee relation no longer exists and the claimant does not seek reinstatement, the case is still
cognizable by the Labor Arbiter provided the claim arises from such employment relationship.
(Star Security and Detective Investigation Agency vs. SOLE, 187 SCRA 358). All forms of
damages, including those originating from sanctions imposed by the Civil Code, such as torts,
human relations, breach of contract, etc., likewise fall within the jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters,
provided these arise from employer-employee relations. However, in regard to money claims one
should carefully determine the nature of the claim involved since the universe of a worker's
monetary claims does not comprise only those arising from employer-employee relationship.
Money claims of workers falling within the jurisdiction of labor arbiters are those which have
some reasonable causal connection with the employer-employee relationship. Thus, a complaint
for damages filed by employees against an employer for malicious prosecution has no such
causal connection. The applicable law is not the Labor Code but the Revised Penal Code.
Although a controversy is between an employer and an employee, labor arbiters have no
jurisdiction if the Labor Code is not involved. (Pepsi Cola Distributors of the Phil. vs. Gal-lang,
supra). Claims for actual, moral, exemplary and other forms of damages arising from employer-
employee relations fall under the jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters. The Labor Arbiter's original and
exclusive jurisdiction extends to cases involving any violation of Art. 264 of the Code regarding
prohibited activities during a strike or lockout, including the finding of legality or illegality of
these coercive measures.

6. JURISDICTION OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION. The

Commission (hereafter, NLRC for short) has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases
decided by Labor Arbiters. In the exercise of its appellate powers, the NLRC may connect,
amend or waive any err, defect, irregularity whether In substance or In form; and in any
proceeding before the Commission or any Labor Athiter, tl rules prevailing in courts of law or
equity shall not be controlling as it is the spirit and intention of the Labor Code that its tribunals
shall use every and all reasonable means to ascertain the facts of each case speedily and
objectively without regard to technicalities of law or procedure, all in the interest of due process.
(Arts. 218- c and 221, L.C.; New Pacific Timber and Supply Co. vs. NLRC, March 17, 2000)
This gives the NLRC a wide latitude of discretionary powers consistent with the requirement of
affording due process of law. The NLRC also has appellate jurisdiction over any decision or
resolution of the Regional Director or hearing officer in the exercise of the recovery power over
wages and simple money claims under Art. 129 of the Code, which may be appealed to it within
five days from receipt of a copy thereof. The NLRC shall resolve the appeal within ten calendar
days from submission of the last pleading required or allowed under its rules.