RULE I
DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. -                                                                     

RULE II
COVERAGE OF THE RIGHT TO SELF-ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the free and responsible exercise of the right to self-organization through the establishment of a simplified mechanism for the speedy registration of labor unions and workers associations, determination of representation status and resolution of inter/intra-union and other related labor relations disputes. Only legitimate or registered labor unions shall have the right to represent their members for collective bargaining and other purposes. Workers' associations shall have the right to represent their members for purposes other than collective bargaining.

SECTION 2. Who may join labor unions and workers' associations. - All persons employed in commercial, industrial and agricultural enterprises, including employees of government owned or controlled corporations without original charters established under the Corporation Code, as well as employees of religious, charitable, medical or educational institutions whether operating for profit or not, shall have the right to self-organization and to form, join or assist labor unions for purposes of collective bargaining: provided, however, that supervisory employees shall not be eligible for membership in a labor union of the rank-and-file employees but may form, join or assist separate labor unions of their own. Managerial employees shall not be eligible to form, join or assist any labor unions for purposes of collective bargaining. Alien employees with valid working permits issued by the Department may exercise the right to self-organization and join or assist labor unions for purposes of collective bargaining if they are nationals of a country which grants the same or similar rights to Filipino workers, as certified by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

For purposes of this section, any employee, whether employed for a definite period or not, shall beginning on the first day of his/her service, be eligible for membership in any labor organization.

All other workers, including ambulant, intermittent and other workers, the self-employed, rural workers and those without any definite employers may form labor organizations for their mutual aid and protection and other legitimate purposes except collective bargaining.

RULE III
  REGISTRATION OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

SECTION 1. Where to file. - Applications for registration of independent labor unions, chartered locals, workers' associations shall be filed with the Regional Office where the applicant principally operates. It shall be processed by the Labor Relations Division at the Regional Office in accordance with Sections 2-A, 2-C, and 2-E of this Rule.

Applications for registration of federations, national unions or workers' associations operating in more than one region shall be filed with the Bureau or the Regional Offices, but shall be processed by the Bureau in accordance with Sections 2-B and 2-D of this Rule.

SECTION 2. Requirements for application. - A. The application for registration of an independent labor union shall be accompanied by the following documents:

B. The application for registration of federations and national unions shall be accompanied by the following documents:

Labor organizations operating within an identified industry may also apply for registration as a federation or national union within the specified industry by submitting to the Bureau the same set of documents.

C. The application for registration of a workers' association shall be accompanied by the following documents:

D. Application for registration of a workers' association operating in more than one region shall be accompanied, in addition to the requirements in the preceding subsection, by a resolution of membership of each member association, duly approved by its board of directors.

E. The report of creation of a chartered local shall be accompanied by a charter certificate issued by the federation or national union indicating the creation or establishment of the chartered local.

SECTION 3. Notice of change of name of labor organizations; Where to file. - The notice for change of name of a registered labor organization shall be filed with the Bureau or the Regional Office where the concerned labor organization's certificate of registration or certificate of creation of a chartered local was issued.

SECTION 4. Requirements for notice of change of name.  - The notice for change of name of a labor organization shall be accompanied by the following documents:

SECTION 5. Certificate of Registration/Certificate of Creation of Chartered Local for change of name. - The certificate of registration and the certificate of creation of a chartered local issued to the labor organization for change of name shall bear the same registration number as the original certificate issued in its favor and shall indicate the following: (a) the new name of the labor organization; (b) its former name; (c) its office or business address; and (d) the date when the labor organization acquired legitimate personality as stated in its original certificate of registration/certificate of creation of chartered local.

SECTION 6. Report of Affiliation with federations or national unions; Where to file. - The report of affiliation of an independently registered labor union with a federation or national union shall be filed with the Regional Office that issued its certificate of registration.

SECTION 7. Requirements of affiliation. - The report of affiliation of independently registered labor unions with a federation or national union shall be accompanied by the following documents:

SECTION 8. Notice of Merger/Consolidation of labor organizations; Where to file. - Notice of merger or consolidation of independent labor unions, chartered locals and workers' associations shall be filed with and recorded by the Regional Office that issued the certificate of registration/certificate of creation of chartered local of either the merging or consolidating labor organization. Notice of merger or consolidation of federations or national unions shall be filed with and recorded by the Bureau.

SECTION 9. Requirements of notice of merger. - The notice of merger of labor organizations shall be accompanied by the following documents:

SECTION 10. Certificate of Registration. - The certificate of registration issued to merged labor organizations shall bear the registration number of one of the merging labor organizations as agreed upon by the parties to the merger.

The certificate of registration shall indicate the following: (a) the new name of the merged labor organization; (b) the fact that it is a merger of two or more labor organizations; (c) the name of the labor organizations that were merged; (d) its office or business address; and (e) the date when each of the merging labor organizations acquired legitimate personality as stated in their respective original certificate of registration.

SECTION 11. Requirements of notice of consolidation. - The notice of consolidation of labor organizations shall be accompanied by the following documents:

SECTION 12. Certificate of Registration. - The certificate of registration issued to a consolidated labor organization shall bear the registration number of one of the consolidating labor organizations as agreed upon by the parties to the consolidation.

The certificate of registration shall indicate the following (a) the new name of the consolidated labor organization; (b) the fact that it is a consolidation of two or more labor organizations; (c) the name of the labor organizations that were consolidated; (d) its office or business address; and (e) the date when each of the consolidating labor organizations acquired legitimate personality as stated in their respective original certificates of registration.

  RULE IV
PROVISIONS COMMON TO THE REGISTRATION OF
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AND WORKERS ASSOCIATION

SECTION 1. Attestation requirements. - The application for registration of labor unions and workers' associations, notice for change of name, merger, consolidation and affiliation including all the accompanying documents, shall be certified under oath by its Secretary or Treasurer, as the case may be, and attested to by its President.

SECTION 2. Payment of registration fee.  - A labor union and workers' association shall be issued a certificate of registration upon payment of the prescribed registration fee.

SECTION 3. Accompanying documents. - One (1) original copy and two (2) duplicate copies of all documents accompanying the application or notice shall be submitted to the Regional Office or the Bureau.

SECTION 4. Action on the application/notice.  - The Regional Office or the Bureau, as the case may be, shall act on all applications for registration or notice of change of name, affiliation, merger and consolidation within ten (10) days from receipt either by: (a) approving the application and issuing the certificate of registration/acknowledging the notice/report; or (b) denying the application/notice for failure of the applicant to comply with the requirements for registration/notice.

SECTION 5. Denial of Application/Return of Notice. - Where the documents supporting the application for registration/notice of change of name, affiliation, merger and consolidation are incomplete or do not contain the required certification and attestation, the Regional Office or the Bureau shall, within five (5) days from receipt of the application/notice, notify the applicant/labor organization concerned in writing of the necessary requirements and complete the same within thirty (30) days from receipt of notice. Where the applicant/labor organization concerned fails to complete the requirements within the time prescribed, the application for registration shall be denied, or the notice of change of name, affiliation, merger and consolidation returned, without prejudice to filing a new application or notice.

SECTION 6. Form of Denial of Application/Return of Notice; Appeal. - The notice of the Regional Office or the Bureau denying the application for registration/returning the notice of change of name, affiliation, merger or consolidation shall be in writing stating in clear terms the reasons for the denial or return. The denial may be appealed to the Bureau if denial is made by the Regional Office or to the Secretary if denial is made by the Bureau, within ten (10) days from receipt of such notice, on the ground of grave abuse of discretion or violation of these Rules.

SECTION 7. Procedure on appeal. - The memorandum of appeal shall be filed with the Regional Office or the Bureau that issued the denial/return of notice. The memorandum of appeal together with the complete records of the application for registration/notice of change of name, affiliation, merger or consolidation, shall be transmitted by the Regional Office to the Bureau or by the Bureau to the Office of the Secretary, within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the memorandum of appeal.

The Bureau or the Office of the Secretary shall decide the appeal within twenty (20) days from receipt of the records of the case.

SECTION 8. Effect of registration. - The labor union or workers' association shall be deemed registered and vested with legal personality on the date of issuance of its certificate of registration or certificate of creation of chartered local.

Such legal personality may be questioned only through an independent petition for cancellation of union registration in accordance with Rule XIV of these Rules, and not by way of collateral attack in petition for certification election proceedings under Rule VIII.

SECTION 9. Effect of change of name. - The change of name of a labor organization shall not affect its legal personality. All the rights and obligations of a labor organization under its old name shall continue to be exercised by the labor organization under its new name.

SECTION 10. Effect of merger or consolidation. - Where there is a merger of labor organizations, the legal existence of the absorbed labor organization(s) ceases, while the legal existence of the absorbing labor organization subsists. All the rights, interests and obligations of the absorbed labor organizations are transferred to the absorbing organization.

Where there is consolidation, the legal existence of the consolidating labor organizations shall cease and a new labor organization is created. The newly created labor organization shall acquire all the rights, interests and obligations of the consolidating labor organizations.

RULE V
  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF LABOR UNIONS
  AND WORKERS ASSOCIATIONS

SECTION 1. Reporting requirements. - It shall be the duty of every legitimate labor unions and workers associations to submit to the Regional Office or the Bureau which issued its certificate of registration or certificate of creation of chartered local, as the case may be, two (2) copies of each of the following documents:

As understood in these Rules, the fiscal year of a labor organization shall coincide with the calendar year, unless a different period is prescribed in the constitution and by-laws.

  RULE VI
  DETERMINATION OF REPRESENTATION STATUS

SECTION 1. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote free trade unionism through expeditious procedures governing the choice of an exclusive bargaining agent. The determination of such exclusive bargaining agent is a non-litigious proceeding and, as far as practicable, shall be free from technicalities of law and procedure, provided only that in every case, the exclusive bargaining agent enjoys the majority support of all the employees in the bargaining unit.

SECTION 2. Determination of representation status; modes. - The determination of an exclusive bargaining agent shall be through voluntary recognition in cases where there is only one legitimate labor organization operating within the bargaining unit, or through certification, run-off or consent election as provided in these Rules.

RULE VII
VOLUNTARY RECOGNITION

SECTION 1. When and where to file. - In unorganized establishments with only one legitimate labor organization, the employer may voluntarily recognize the representation status of such a union. Within thirty (30) days from such recognition, the employer and union shall submit a notice of voluntary recognition with the Regional Office which issued the recognized labor union's certificate of registration or certificate of creation of a chartered local.

SECTION 2. Requirements for voluntary recognition. - The notice of voluntary recognition shall be accompanied by the original copy and two (2) duplicate copies of the following documents:

All accompanying documents of the notice for voluntary recognition shall be certified under oath by the employer representative and president of the recognized labor union.

SECTION 3. Action on the Notice. - Where the notice of voluntary recognition is sufficient in form, number and substance and where there is no other registered labor union operating within the bargaining unit concerned, the Regional Office, through the Labor Relations Division shall, within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice, record the fact of voluntary recognition in its roster of legitimate labor unions and notify the labor union concerned.

Where the notice of voluntary recognition is insufficient in form, number and substance, the Regional Office shall, within the same period, notify the labor union of its findings and advise it to comply with the necessary requirements. Where neither the employer nor the labor union failed to complete the requirements for voluntary recognition under Section 2 of this Rule within thirty (30) days from receipt of the advisory, the Regional Office shall return the notice for voluntary recognition together with all its accompanying documents without prejudice to its re-submission.

SECTION 4. Effect of recording of fact of voluntary recognition. - From the time of recording of voluntary recognition, the recognized labor union shall enjoy the rights, privileges and obligations of an existing bargaining agent of all the employees in the bargaining unit.

Entry of voluntary recognition shall bar the filing of a petition for certification election by any labor organization for a period of one (1) year from the date of entry of voluntary recognition. Upon expiration of this one-year period, any legitimate labor organization may file a petition for certification election in the same bargaining unit represented by the voluntarily recognized union, unless a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and voluntarily recognized labor union was executed and registered with the Regional Office in accordance with Rule XVII of these Rules.

RULE VIII
CERTIFICATION ELECTION

SECTION 1. Who may file. - Any legitimate labor organization may file a petition for certification election.

When requested to bargain collectively, an employer may file a petition for certification election with the Regional Office. If there is no existing registered collective bargaining agreement in the bargaining unit, the Regional Office shall, after hearing, order the conduct of a certification election.

SECTION 2. Where to file. - A petition for certification election shall be filed with the Regional Office which issued the petitioning union's certificate of registration/certificate of creation of chartered local.

The petition shall be heard and resolved by the Med-Arbiter.

Where two or more petitions involving the same bargaining unit are filed in one Regional Office, the same shall be automatically consolidated with the Med-Arbiter who first acquired jurisdiction. Where the petitions are filed in different Regional Offices, the Regional Office in which the petition was first filed shall exclude all others; in which case, the latter shall indorse the petition to the former for consolidation.

SECTION 3. When to file. - A petition for certification election may be filed anytime, except:

SECTION 4. Form and contents of petition. - The petition shall be in writing, verified under oath by the president of petitioning labor organization. Where the petition is filed by a federation or national union, it shall verified under oath by the president or its duly authorized representative. The petition shall contain the following:

SECTION 5. Raffle of the case. - Upon the filing of the petition, the Regional Director or any of his/her authorized representative shall allow the party filing the petition to personally determine the Med-Arbiter assigned to the case by means of a raffle. Where there is only one Med-Arbiter in the region, the raffle shall be dispensed with and the petition shall be assigned to him/her.

SECTION 6. Notice of preliminary conference. - Immediately after the raffle of the case or receipt of the petition, the same shall be transmitted to the Med-Arbiter, who shall in the same instance prepare and serve upon the petitioning party a notice for preliminary conference. The first preliminary conference shall be scheduled within ten (10) days from receipt of the petition.

Within three (3) days from receipt of the petition, the Med-Arbiter shall cause the service of notice for preliminary conference upon the employer and incumbent bargaining agent in the subject bargaining unit directing them to appear before him/her on a date, time and place specified. A copy of the notice of preliminary conference and petition for certification election shall be posted in at least two conspicuous places in the establishment.

SECTION 7. Forced Intervenor. - The incumbent bargaining agent shall automatically be one of the choices in the certification election as forced intervenor.

SECTION 8. Motion for Intervention.  - When a petition for certification election was filed in an organized establishment, any legitimate labor union other than the incumbent bargaining agent operating within the bargaining unit may file a motion for intervention with the Med-Arbiter during the freedom period of the collective bargaining agreement. The form and contents of the motion shall be the same as that of a petition for certification election.

In an unorganized establishment, the motion shall be filed at any time prior to the decision of the Med-Arbiter. The form and contents of the motion shall likewise be the same as that of a petition for certification election. The motion for intervention shall be resolved in the same decision issued in the petition for certification election.

SECTION 9. Preliminary Conference; Hearing. - The Med-Arbiter shall conduct a preliminary conference and hearing within ten (10) days from receipt of the petition to determine the following:

SECTION 10. Consent Election; Agreement. - In case the contending unions agree to a consent election, the Med-Arbiter shall not issue a formal order calling for the conduct of certification election, but shall enter the fact of the agreement in the minutes of the hearing. The minutes of the hearing shall be signed by the parties and attested to by the Med-Arbiter. The Med-Arbiter shall, immediately thereafter, forward the records of the petition to the Regional Director or his/her authorized representative for the determination of the Election Officer by the contending unions through raffle. The first pre-election conference shall be scheduled within ten (10) days from the date of entry of agreement to conduct consent election.

SECTION 11. Number of Hearings; Pleadings. - If the contending unions fail to agree to a consent election during the preliminary conference, the Med-Arbiter may conduct as many hearings as he/she may deem necessary, but in no case shall the conduct thereof exceed fifteen (15) days from the date of the scheduled preliminary conference/hearing, after which time the petition shall be considered submitted for decision. The Med-Arbiter shall have control of the proceedings. Postponements or continuances shall be discouraged.

Within the same 15-day period within which the petition is heard, the contending labor unions may file such pleadings as they may deem necessary for the immediate resolution of the petition. Extensions of time shall not be entertained. All motions shall be resolved by the Med-Arbiter in the same order or decision granting or denying the petition.

SECTION 12. Failure to appear despite notice. - The failure of any party to appear in the hearing(s) when notified or to file its pleadings shall be deemed a waiver of its right to be heard. The Med-Arbiter, however, when agreed upon by the parties for meritorious reasons may allow the cancellation of scheduled hearing(s). The cancellation of any scheduled hearing(s) shall not be used as a basis for extending the 15-day period within which to terminate the same.

SECTION 13. Order/Decision on the petition. - Within ten (10) days from the date of the last hearing, the Med-Arbiter shall issue a formal order granting the petition or a decision denying the same. In organized establishments, however, no order or decision shall be issued by the Med-Arbiter during the freedom period.

The order granting the conduct of a certification election shall state the following:

SECTION 14. Denial of the petition; Grounds. - The Med-Arbiter may dismiss the petition on any of the following grounds:

SECTION 15. Prohibited grounds for the denial/suspension of the petition. - All issues pertaining to the existence of employer-employee relationship, eligibility or mixture in union membership raised before the Med-Arbiter during the hearing(s) and in the pleadings shall be resolved in the same order or decision granting or denying the petition for certification election. Any question pertaining to the validity of petitioning union's certificate of registration or its legal personality as a labor organization, validity of registration and execution of collective bargaining agreements shall be heard and resolved by the Regional Director in an independent petition for cancellation of its registration and not by the Med-Arbiter in the petition for certification election, unless the petitioning union is not found in the Department's roster of legitimate labor organizations or an existing collective bargaining agreement is unregistered with the Department.

SECTION 16. Release of Order/Decision within ten (10) days from the last hearing. - The Med-Arbiter shall release his/her order or decision granting or denying the petition personally to the parties on an agreed date and time.

SECTION 17. Appeal. - The order granting the conduct of a certification election in an unorganized establishment shall not be subject to appeal. Any issue arising therefrom may be raised by means of protest on the conduct and results of the certification election.

The order granting the conduct of a certification election in an organized establishment and the decision dismissing or denying the petition, whether in an organized or unorganized establishment, may be appealed to the Office of the Secretary within ten (10) days from receipt thereof.

The appeal shall be verified under oath and shall consist of a memorandum of appeal, specifically stating the grounds relied upon by the appellant with the supporting arguments and evidence.

SECTION 18. Where to file appeal. - The memorandum of appeal shall be filed in the Regional Office where the petition originated, copy furnished the contending unions and the employer, as the case may be. Within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the appeal, the Regional Director shall cause the transmittal thereof together with the entire records of the case to the Office of the Secretary.

SECTION 19. Finality of Order/Decision. - Where no appeal is filed within the ten-day period, the Med-Arbiter shall enter the finality of the order/decision in the records of the case and cause the transmittal of the records of the petition to the Regional Director.

SECTION 20. Period to Reply. - A reply to the appeal may be filed by any party to the petition within ten (10) days from receipt of the memorandum of appeal. The reply shall be filed directly with the Office of the Secretary.

SECTION 21. Decision of the Secretary.  - The Secretary shall have fifteen (15) days from receipt of the entire records of the petition within which to decide the appeal. The filing of the memorandum of appeal from the order or decision of the Med-Arbiter stays the holding of any certification election.

The decision of the Secretary shall become final and executory after ten (10) days from receipt thereof by the parties. No motion for reconsideration of the decision shall be entertained.

SECTION 22. Transmittal of records to the Regional Office. - Within forty-eight (48) hours from notice of receipt of decision by the parties and finality of the decision, the entire records of the case shall be remanded to the Regional Office of origin for implementation. Implementation of the decision shall not be stayed unless restrained by the appropriate court.

SECTION 23. Effects of consent election. - Where a petition for certification election had been filed, and upon the intercession of the Med-Arbiter, the parties agree to hold a consent election, the results thereof shall constitute a bar to the holding of a certification election for one (1) year from the holding of such consent election. Where an appeal has been filed from the results of the consent election, the running of the one-year period shall be suspended until the decision on appeal has become final and executory.

Where no petition for certification election was filed but the parties themselves agreed to hold a consent election with the intercession of the Regional Office, the results thereof shall constitute a bar to another petition for certification election.

SECTION 24. Effects of early agreements. - The representation case shall not be adversely affected by a collective bargaining agreement registered before or during the last sixty (60) days of a subsisting agreement or during the pendency of the representation case.

SECTION 25. Non-availability of Med-Arbiter. - Where there is no Med-Arbiter available in the Regional Office by reason of vacancy, prolonged absence, or excessive workload as determined by the Regional Director, he/she shall transmit the entire records of the case to the Bureau, which shall within forty-eight (48) hours from receipt assign the case to any Med-Arbiter from any of the Regional Offices or from the Bureau.

RULE IX
  CONDUCT OF CERTIFICATION ELECTION

SECTION 1. Raffle of the case. - Within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the notice of entry of final judgment granting the conduct of a certification election, the Regional Director shall cause the raffle of the case to an Election Officer who shall have control of the pre-election conference and election proceedings.

SECTION 2. Pre-election conference.  - Within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the assignment for the conduct of a certification election, the Election Officer shall cause the issuance of notice of pre-election conference upon the contending unions and the employer, which shall be scheduled within ten (10) days from receipt of the assignment.

The pre-election conference shall set the mechanics for the election and shall determine, among others, the following:         

SECTION 3. Waiver of right to be heard. - Failure of any party to appear during the pre-election conference despite notice shall be considered as a waiver to be present and to question or object to any of the agreements reached in said pre-election conference. Nothing herein, however, shall deprive the non-appearing party or the employer of its right to be furnished notices of subsequent pre-election conferences and to attend the same.

SECTION 4. Minutes of pre-election conference. - The Election Officer shall keep the minutes of matters raised and agreed upon during the pre-election conference. The parties shall acknowledge the completeness and correctness of the entries in the minutes by affixing their signatures thereon. Where any of the parties refuse to sign the minutes, the Election Officer shall note such fact in the minutes, including the reason for refusal to sign the same. In all cases, the parties shall be furnished a copy of the minutes.

The pre-election conference shall be completed within thirty (30) days from the date of the first hearing.

SECTION 5. Qualification of voters; inclusion-exclusion. - All employees who are members of the appropriate bargaining unit sought to be represented by the petitioner at the time of the issuance of the order granting the conduct of a certification election shall be eligible to vote. An employee who has been dismissed from work but has contested the legality of the dismissal in a forum of appropriate jurisdiction at the time of the issuance of the order for the conduct of a certification election shall be considered a qualified voter, unless his/her dismissal was declared valid in a final judgment at the time of the conduct of the certification election.

In case of disagreement over the voters' list or over the eligibility of voters, all contested voters shall be allowed to vote. But their votes shall be segregated and sealed in individual envelopes in accordance with Sections 10 and 11 of this Rule.

SECTION 6. Posting of Notices. - The Election Officer shall cause the posting of notice of election at least ten (10) days before the actual date of the election in two (2) most conspicuous places in the company premises. The notice shall contain:

The posting of the notice of election, the information required to be included therein and the duration of posting cannot be waived by the contending unions or the employer.

SECTION 7. Secrecy and sanctity of the ballot. - To ensure secrecy of the ballot, the Election Officer, together with the authorized representatives of the contending unions and the employer, shall before the start of the actual voting, inspect the polling place, the ballot boxes and the polling booths.

SECTION 8. Preparation of ballots.  - The Election Officer shall prepare the ballots in English and Filipino or the local dialect, corresponding to the number of voters and a reasonable number of extra ballots. All ballots shall be signed at the back by the Election Officer and authorized representative of each of the contending unions and employer. Failure or refusal to sign the ballots shall be considered a waiver thereof and the Election Officer shall enter the fact of such refusal or failure in the records of the case as well as the reason for the refusal or failure to sign.

SECTION 9. Marking of votes. - The voter must put a cross (x) or check ( ) mark in the square opposite the name of the union of his choice or "No Union" if he/she does not want to be represented by any union

  If a ballot is torn, defaced or left unfilled in such a manner as to create doubt or confusion or to identify the voter, it shall be considered spoiled. If the voter inadvertently spoils a ballot, he/she shall return it to the Election Officer who shall destroy it and give him/her another ballot.

SECTION 10. Challenging of votes. - An authorized representative of any of the contending unions and employer may challenge a vote before it is deposited in the ballot box only on any of the following grounds:

SECTION 11. Procedure in the challenge of votes. - When a vote is properly challenged, the Election Officer shall place the ballot in an envelope which shall be sealed in the presence of the voter and the representatives of the contending unions and employer. The Election Officer shall indicate on the envelope the voter's name, the union or employer challenging the voter, and the ground for the challenge. The sealed envelope shall then be signed by the Election Officer and the representatives of the contending unions and employer. The Election Officer shall note all challenges in the minutes of the election and shall be responsible for consolidating all envelopes containing the challenged votes. The envelopes shall be opened and the question of eligibility shall be passed upon only if the number of segregated voters will materially alter the results of the election.

SECTION 12. On-the-spot questions. - The Election Officer shall rule on any question relating to and raised during the conduct of the election. In no case, however, shall the election officer rule on any of the grounds for challenge specified in the immediately preceding section.

SECTION 13. Protest; when perfected. - Any party-in-interest may file a protest based on the conduct or mechanics of the election. Such protests shall be recorded in the minutes of the election proceedings. Protests not so raised are deemed waived.

The protesting party must formalize its protest with the Med-Arbiter, with specific grounds, arguments and evidence, within five (5) days after the close of the election proceedings. If not recorded in the minutes and formalized within the prescribed period, the protest shall be deemed dropped.

SECTION 14. Canvassing of votes. - The votes shall be counted and tabulated by the Election Officer in the presence of the representatives of the contending unions. Upon completion of the canvass, the Election Officer shall give each representative a copy of the minutes of the election proceedings and results of the election. The ballots and the tally sheets shall be sealed in an envelope and signed by the Election Officer and the representatives of the contending unions and transmitted to the Med-Arbiter, together with the minutes and results of the election, within twenty-four (24) hours from the completion of the canvass.

Where the election is conducted in more than one region, consolidation of results shall be made within fifteen (15) days from the conduct thereof.

SECTION 15. Conduct of election and canvass of votes. - The election precincts shall open and close on the date and time agreed upon during the pre-election conference. The opening and canvass shall proceed immediately after the precincts have closed. Failure of any party or the employer or his/her/their representative to appear during the election proceedings shall be considered a waiver to be present and to question the conduct thereof.

SECTION 16. Certification of Collective Bargaining Agent. - The union which obtained a majority of the valid votes cast shall be certified as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of all the employees in the appropriate bargaining unit within five (5) days from the day of the election, provided no protest is recorded in the minutes of the election.

SECTION 17. Failure of election. - Where the number of votes cast in a certification or consent election is less than the majority of the number of eligible voters and there are no material challenged votes, the Election Officer shall declare a failure of election in the minutes of the election proceedings.

SECTION 18. Effect of failure of election. - A failure of election shall not bar the filing of a motion for the immediate holding of another certification or consent election within six (6) months from date of declaration of failure of election.

SECTION 19. Action on the motion. - Within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the motion, the Election Officer shall immediately schedule the conduct of another certification or consent election within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the motion and cause the posting of the notice of certification election at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of election in two (2) most conspicuous places in the establishment. The same guidelines and list of voters shall be used in the election.

SECTION 20. Proclamation and certification of the result of the election. - Within twenty-four (24) hours from final canvass of votes, there being a valid election, the Election Officer shall transmit the records of the case to the Med-Arbiter who shall, within the same period from receipt of the minutes and results of election, issue an order proclaiming the results of the election and certifying the union which obtained a majority of the valid votes cast as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent in the subject bargaining unit, under any of the following conditions:

The winning union shall have the rights, privileges and obligations of a duly certified collective bargaining agent from the time the certification is issued.

Where majority of the valid votes cast results in "No Union" obtaining the majority, the Med-Arbiter shall declare such fact in the order.

RULE X
RUN-OFF ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. When proper. - When an election which provides for three (3) or more choices results in none of the contending unions receiving a majority of the valid votes cast, and there are no objections or challenges which if sustained can materially alter the results, the Election Officer shall motu proprio conduct a run-off election within ten (10) days from the close of the election proceedings between the labor unions receiving the two highest number of votes; provided, that the total number of votes for all contending unions is at least fifty (50%) percent of the number of votes cast.

"No Union" shall not be a choice in the run-off election.

Notice of run-off elections shall be posted by the Election Officer at least five (5) days before the actual date of run-off election.

SECTION 2. Qualification of voters. - The same voters' list used in the certification election shall be used in the run-off election. The ballots in the run-off election shall provide as choices the unions receiving the highest and second highest number of the votes cast. The labor union receiving the greater number of valid votes cast shall be certified as the winner, subject to Section 20, Rule IX.

RULE XI
INTER/INTRA-UNION DISPUTES AND OTHER RELATED
  LABOR RELATIONS DISPUTES

SECTION 1. Coverage. - Inter/intra-union disputes shall include:                   

SECTION 2. Coverage. - Other related labor relations disputes shall include any conflict between a labor union and the employer or any individual, entity or group that is not a labor organization or workers' association. This includes: (1) cancellation of registration of unions and workers associations; and (2) a petition for interpleader.

SECTION 3. Effects of the filing/pendency of inter/intra-union and other related labor relations disputes. - The rights, relationships and obligations of the parties litigants against each other and other parties-in-interest prior to the institution of the petition shall continue to remain during the pendency of the petition and until the date of finality of the decision rendered therein. Thereafter, the rights, relationships and obligations of the parties litigants against each other and other parties-in-interest shall be governed by the decision so ordered.

The filing or pendency of any inter/intra-union dispute and other related labor relations dispute is not a prejudicial question to any petition for certification election and shall not be a ground for the dismissal of a petition for certification election or suspension of proceedings for certification election.

SECTION 4. Who may file. - Any legitimate labor organization or member(s) thereof specially concerned may file a complaint or petition involving disputes or issues enumerated in Section 1 hereof. Any party-in-interest may file a complaint or petition involving disputes or issues enumerated in Section 2 hereof.

Where the issue involves the entire membership of the labor organization, the complaint or petition shall be supported by at least thirty percent (30%) of its members.

SECTION 5. Where to file. - Complaints or petitions involving labor unions with independent registrations, chartered locals, workers' associations, its officers or members shall be filed with the Regional Office that issued its certificate of registration or certificate of creation of chartered local. Complaints involving federations, national unions, industry unions, its officers or member organizations shall be filed with the Bureau.

Petitions for cancellation of registration of labor unions with independent registration, chartered locals and workers association and petitions for deregistration of collective bargaining agreements shall be resolved by the Regional Director. He/She may appoint a Hearing Officer from the Labor Relations Division.

Other inter/intra-union disputes and related labor relations disputes shall be heard and resolved by the Med-Arbiter in the Regional Office.

  Complaints or petitions involving federations, national or industry unions, trade union centers and their chartered locals, affiliates or member organizations shall be filed either with the Regional Office or the Bureau. The complaint or petition shall be heard and resolved by the Bureau.

When two or more petitions involving the same parties and the same causes of action are filed, the same shall be automatically consolidated.

SECTION 6. Formal requirements of the complaint or petition. - The complaint or petition shall be in writing, verified under oath and shall, among others, contain the following:

SECTION 7. Raffle of the case. - Upon the filing of the complaint or petition, the Regional Director or any of his/her authorized representative in the Regional Office and the Docket Section of the Bureau shall allow the party filing the complaint or petition to determine the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer assigned to the case by means of a raffle. Where there is only one Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer in the region, the raffle shall be dispensed with and the complaint or petition shall be assigned to him/her.

SECTION 8. Notice of preliminary conference. - Immediately after the raffle of the case or receipt of the complaint or petition, the same shall be transmitted to the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be, who shall in the same instance prepare the notice for preliminary conference and cause the service thereof upon the party filing the petition. The preliminary conference shall be scheduled within ten (10) days from receipt of the complaint or petition.

Within three (3) days from receipt of the complaint or petition, the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be, shall cause the service of summons upon the respondent(s) named therein, directing him/her to file his/her answer/comment on the complaint or petition on or before the scheduled preliminary conference and to appear before the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer on the scheduled preliminary conference.

SECTION 9. Conduct of preliminary conference. - The Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be, shall conduct a preliminary conference and hearing within ten (10) days from receipt of the complaint or petition. He/She shall exert every effort to effect an amicable settlement of the dispute.

Where the parties agree to settle amicably, their agreements shall be specified in the minutes of the conference and a decision based on compromise shall be issued by the Med-Arbiter or the Regional Director, as the case may be, within five (5) days from the date of the mandatory conference.

Where no amicable settlement is reached, the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be, shall proceed with the stipulation of facts, limitation or definition of the issues, clarificatory questioning and submission of laws and jurisprudence relied upon in support of each other's claims and defenses.

SECTION 10. Conduct of Hearing(s). - The Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be, shall determine whether to call further hearing(s) on the complaint or petition.

Where the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be, decides to conduct further hearing(s), he/she shall require the parties to submit the affidavits of their witnesses and such documentary evidence material to prove each other's claims and defenses. The hearing(s) shall be limited to clarificatory questions by the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer and must be completed within twenty-five (25) days from the date of preliminary conference.

The complaint or petition shall be considered submitted for decision after the date of the last hearing or upon expiration of twenty-five (25) days from date of preliminary conference, whichever comes first.

SECTION 11. Affirmation of testimonial evidence. - Any affidavit submitted by a party to prove his/her claims or defenses shall be re-affirmed by the presentation of the affiant before the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer, as the case may be. Any affidavit submitted without the re-affirmation of the affiant during a scheduled hearing shall not be admitted in evidence, except when the party against whom the affidavit is being offered admits all allegations therein and waives the examination of the affiant.

SECTION 12. Filing of pleadings. - The parties may file his/her pleadings, including their respective position papers, within the twenty-five (25) day period prescribed for the conduct of hearing(s). No other pleading shall be considered or entertained after the case is considered submitted for decision.

SECTION 13. Hearing and resolution of the complaint or petition in the Bureau. - The Bureau shall observe the same process and have the same period within which to hear and resolve the complaints or petitions filed before it.

SECTION 14. Decision. - The Bureau and the Med-Arbiter or Regional Director, as the case may be, shall have twenty (20) days from the date of the last hearing within which to decide the complaint or petition. The decision shall state the facts, findings, conclusion, and reliefs granted.

SECTION 15. Release of Decision. - The notice of decision shall be signed by the Records Officer in the Bureau and by the Med-Arbiter or Hearing Officer in the Regional Office. Within twenty (20) days from date of last hearing, the decision shall be released to the parties personally on a date and time agreed upon during the last hearing.

SECTION 16. Appeal. - The decision of the Med-Arbiter and Regional Director may be appealed to the Bureau by any of the parties within ten (10) days from receipt thereof, copy furnished the opposing party. The decision of the Bureau Director in the exercise of his/her original jurisdiction may be appealed to the Office of the Secretary by any party within the same period, copy furnished the opposing party.

The appeal shall be verified under oath and shall consist of a memorandum of appeal specifically stating the grounds relied upon by the appellant, with supporting arguments and evidence.

SECTION 17. Where to file appeal. - The memorandum of appeal shall be filed in the Regional Office or Bureau where the complaint or petition originated. Within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the memorandum of appeal, the Bureau or Regional Director shall cause the transmittal thereof together with the entire records of the case to the Office of the Secretary or the Bureau, as the case may be.

SECTION 18. Finality of Decision. - Where no appeal is filed within the ten-day period, the Bureau and Regional Director or Med-Arbiter, as the case may be, shall enter the finality of the decision in the records of the case and cause the immediate implementation thereof.

SECTION 19. Period to reply. - A reply to the appeal may be filed by any party to the complaint or petition within ten (10) days from receipt of the memorandum of appeal. The reply shall be filed directly with the Bureau or the Office of the Secretary, as the case may be.

SECTION 20. Decision of the Bureau/Office of the Secretary. - The Bureau Director or the Secretary, as the case may be, shall have twenty (20) days from receipt of the entire records of the case within which to decide the appeal. The filing of the memorandum of appeal from the decision of the Med-Arbiter or Regional Director and Bureau Director stays the implementation of the assailed decision.

The Bureau or Office of the Secretary may call the parties to a clarificatory hearing in aid of its appellate jurisdiction.

SECTION 21. Finality of Decision of Bureau/Office of the Secretary. - The decision of the Bureau or the Office of the Secretary shall become final and executory after ten (10) days from receipt thereof by the parties, unless a motion for its reconsideration is filed by any party therein within the same period. Only one (1) motion for reconsideration of the decision of the Bureau or the Office of the Secretary in the exercise of their appellate jurisdiction shall be allowed.

SECTION 22. Execution of decision. - The decision of the Med-Arbiter and Regional Director shall automatically be stayed pending appeal with the Bureau. The decision of the Bureau in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction shall be immediately executory upon issuance of entry of final judgment.

The decision of the Bureau in the exercise of its original jurisdiction shall automatically be stayed pending appeal with the Office of the Secretary. The decision of the Office of the Secretary shall be immediately executory upon issuance of entry of final judgment.

SECTION 23. Transmittal of records to the Regional Office/Bureau. - Within forty-eight (48) hours from notice of receipt of decision by the parties and finality of the decision, the entire records of the case shall be remanded to the Bureau or Regional Office of origin for implementation. The implementation of the decision shall not be stayed unless restrained by the appropriate court.

RULE XII
Election of Officers of Labor Unions and Workers Associations

SECTION 1. Conduct of election of union officers; procedure in the absence of provisions in the constitution and by-laws.  - In the absence of any agreement among the members or any provision in the constitution and by-laws of a labor union or workers' association, the following guidelines may be adopted in the election of officers.                             

SECTION 2. Dispute over conduct of election of officers. - Where the terms of the officers of a labor organization have expired and its officers failed or neglected to do so call for an election of new officers, or where the labor organization's constitution and by-laws do not provide for the manner by which the said election can be called or conducted and the intervention of the Department is necessary, at least thirty percent (30%) of the members of the labor organization may file a petition for the conduct of election of their officers with the Regional Office that issued its certificate of registration or certificate of creation of chartered local.

In the case of federations, national or industry unions and trade union centers, the petition shall be filed with the Bureau or the Regional Office but shall be heard and resolved by the Bureau.

This rule shall also apply where a conduct of election of officers is an alternative relief or necessary consequence of a petition for nullification of election of officers, impeachment/expulsion of officers, or such other petitions.

SECTION 3. Formal requirements and proceedings. - The formal requirements, processes and periods of disposition of this petition stated in Rule XI shall be followed in the determination of the merits of the petition and appeal.

SECTION 4. Pre-election conference and conduct of election. - The appointment of an election officer and the procedures and periods in the conduct of the pre-election conference and election proceedings prescribed in Rule IX shall also apply in the conduct of a pre-election conference and election of officers in any labor organization.

SECTION 5. Applicability of the provisions of the labor organization's constitution and by-laws.  - Where the conduct of election of officers is ordered by the Med-Arbiter, the Bureau or Office of the Secretary, the rules and regulations governing the filing of candidacies and conduct of election under the constitution and by-laws of the labor organization may be applied in the implementation of the decision, or new and additional rules may be adopted as agreed upon by the parties.

The entire proceedings shall be presided by the Election Officer from the Labor Relations Division of the Regional Office or the Bureau. He/She shall act as the COMELEC referred to in the labor organization's constitution and by-laws and obligate himself/herself to comply with his/her mandate under the decision to be implemented and the constitution and by-laws.

RULE XIII
  ADMINISTRATION OF TRADE UNION FUNDS AND ACTIONS
  ARISING THEREFROM

SECTION 1. Right of union to collect dues and agency fees. - The incumbent bargaining agent shall continue to be entitled to check-off and collect dues and agency fees despite the pendency of a representation case, other inter/intra-union disputes or related labor relations disputes.

SECTION 2. Visitorial power under Article 274. - The Regional or Bureau Director may inquire into the financial activities of any legitimate labor organization and examine their books of accounts and other records to determine compliance with the law and the organization's constitution and by-laws. Such examination shall be made upon the filing of a request or complaint for the conduct of an accounts examination by any member of the labor organization, supported by the written consent of at least twenty (20%) percent of its total membership.

SECTION 3. Where to file. - A request for examination of books of accounts of independent labor unions, chartered locals and workers associations pursuant to Article 274 shall be filed with the Regional Office that issued its certificate of registration or certificate of creation of chartered local.

A request for examination of books of accounts of federations or national unions and trade union centers pursuant to Article 274 shall be filed with the Bureau. Such request or complaint, in the absence of allegations pertaining to a violation of Article 241, shall not be treated as an intra-union dispute and the appointment of an Audit Examiner by the Regional or Bureau Director shall not be appealable.

SECTION 4. Actions arising from Article 241. - Any complaint or petition with allegations of mishandling, misappropriation or non-accounting of funds in violation of Article 241 shall be treated as an intra-union dispute. It shall be heard and resolved by the Med-Arbiter pursuant to the provisions of Rule XI.

SECTION 5. Prescription. - The complaint or petition for audit or examination of funds and book of accounts shall prescribe within three (3) years from the date of submission of the annual financial report to the Department or from the date the same should have been submitted as required by law, whichever comes earlier.

SECTION 6. Decision. - A decision granting the conduct of audit shall include the appointment of the Audit Examiner and a directive upon him/her to submit his/her report and recommendations within ten (10) days from termination of audit. The decision granting the conduct of audit is interlocutory and shall not be appealable. The decision denying or dismissing the complaint or petition for audit may be appealed within ten (10) days from receipt thereof pursuant to the provisions prescribed in Rule XI.

SECTION 7. Pre-audit conference. - Within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the decision granting the conduct of audit, the Regional Director shall summon the parties to a pre-audit conference conducted by the Audit Examiner to determine and obtain the following:

The first pre-audit conference shall be scheduled within ten (10) days from receipt by the Audit Examiner of the decision granting the conduct of an audit.

SECTION 8. Issuance of subpoena.  - The Regional Director may compel any party to appear or bring the required financial documents in a conference or hearing through the issuance of a subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum. He/She may also require the employer concerned to issue certifications of union dues and other assessments remitted to the union during the period of audit.

SECTION 9. Conduct of audit examination.  - Where book of accounts are submitted by the parties, the Audit Examiner shall:

Where no book of accounts are maintained by the officers of the labor organization, the Audit Examiner shall:     

The Audit Examiner shall conduct an inventory of all physical assets acquired by the labor organization, if any, and on the basis of his/her findings prepare his/her audited financial report or statement reflecting the true and correct financial accounts and balances of the labor organization with relevant annexes attached.

SECTION 10. Period of audit. - The Audit Examiner shall have sixty (60) days from the date of first pre-audit conference within which to complete the conduct of audit, unless the volume of financial records, the period covered by the audit and other circumstances warrant the extension thereof. In such a case, the Audit Examiner shall notify the Med-Arbiter or the Bureau Director, as the case may be, of such fact at least ten (10) days before the expiration of the sixty (60) day period.

SECTION 11. Audit Report. - The Audit Examiner shall make a report of his/her findings to the parties involved and the same shall include the following:

SECTION 12. Completion of audit. - A copy of the audit report shall be forwarded by the Audit Examiner to the Med-Arbiter or the Bureau Director, as the case may be, within ten (10) days from termination of the audit, together with the entire records of the case and all documents relative to the conduct of the audit.

SECTION 13. Decision after audit. - The Med-Arbiter or the Bureau Director shall render a decision within twenty (20) days from receipt of the audit report. All issues raised by the parties during the conduct of the audit shall be resolved by the Med-Arbiter. The decision shall be released in the same manner prescribed in Section 15, Rule XI.

When warranted, the Med-Arbiter or Bureau Director shall order the restitution of union funds by the responsible officer(s) in the same decision.

SECTION 14. Appeal. - Appeal from the decision of the Med-Arbiter denying the conduct of audit and from the results of the audit may be filed by any of the parties with the Bureau. Decisions rendered by the Bureau after the conduct of audit in the exercise of its original jurisdiction may be appealed to the Office of the Secretary. Both shall be resolved in accordance with the provisions of Section 16, Rule XI.

SECTION 15. Period of inquiry or examination. - No complaint for inquiry or examination of the financial and book of accounts as well as other records of any legitimate labor organization shall be entertained during the sixty (60) day freedom period or within thirty (30) days immediately preceding the date of election of union officers. Any complaint or petition so filed shall be dismissed.

RULE XIV
  CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

SECTION 1. Where to file. - Subject to the requirements of notice and due process, the registration of any legitimate independent labor union, chartered local and workers' association may be cancelled by the Regional Director, or in the case of federations, national or industry unions and trade union centers, by the Bureau Director, upon the filing of an independent complaint or petition for cancellation.

SECTION 2. Who may file.  - Any party-in-interest may commence a petition for cancellation of registration, except in actions involving violations of Article 241, which can only be commenced by members of the labor organization concerned.

SECTION 3. Grounds for cancellation. - The following shall constitute grounds for cancellation of registration of labor organizations:                           

SECTION 4. Action on the petition. - The petition shall be resolved by the Regional Director in accordance with Rule XI, unless the petition is based on paragraphs (d) and (j) of the foregoing section or non-compliance with the labor organization's reportorial obligations, in which case the petition shall be acted upon pursuant to the following Rule.

RULE XV
  CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE REPORTORIAL REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1. When proper.  - Where a registered labor organization in the private sector failed to submit the reports required under Rule V for five (5) consecutive years despite notices for compliance sent by the Labor Relations Division or the Bureau, the latter may cause the institution of the administrative process for cancellation of its registration, upon its own initiative or upon complaint filed by any party-in-interest.

SECTION 2. Procedure. - The Labor Relations Division of the Regional Office shall make a report of the labor organization's non-compliance and submit the same to the Bureau for verification with its records. The Bureau shall send by registered mail with return card to the labor organization concerned, a notice for compliance indicating the documents it failed to submit and the corresponding period in which they were required, with notice to comply with the said reportorial requirements and to submit proof thereof to the Bureau within ten (10) days from receipt thereof.

Where no response is received by the Bureau within thirty (30) days from the release of the first notice, another notice for compliance shall be made by the Bureau, with warning that failure on its part to comply with the reportorial requirements within the time specified shall cause the continuation of the proceedings for the administrative cancellation of its registration.

SECTION 3. Publication of notice of cancellation of registration. - Where no response is again received by the Bureau within thirty (30) days from release of the second notice, the Bureau shall cause the publication of the notice of cancellation of registration of the labor organization in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. The Bureau may conduct an investigation within the employer's premises and at the labor organization's last known address to verify the latter's existence.

SECTION 4. Cancellation of registration. - Where no response is received by the Bureau within thirty (30) days from date of publication, or where the Bureau has verified the dissolution of the labor organization, it shall order the cancellation of registration of the labor organization and cause its de-listing from the roster of legitimate labor organizations.

SECTION 5. Conditions for administrative cancellation of certificate of registration. - No registration of labor organization shall be cancelled administratively by the Bureau due to non-compliance with the reportorial requirements unless:

RULE XVI
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

SECTION 1. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote and emphasize the primacy of free and responsible exercise of the right to self-organization and collective bargaining, either through single enterprise level negotiations or through the creation of a mechanism by which different employers and recognized or certified labor unions in their establishments bargain collectively.

  SECTION 2. Disclosure of information. - In collective bargaining, the parties shall, at the request of either of them, make available such up-to-date financial information on the economic situation of the undertaking, which is normally submitted to relevant government agencies, as is material and necessary for meaningful negotiations. Where the disclosure of some of this information could be prejudicial to the undertaking, its communication may be made condition upon a commitment that it would be regarded as confidential to the extent required. The information to be made available may be agreed upon between the parties to collective bargaining.

SECTION 3. When single enterprise bargaining available. - Any voluntarily recognized or certified labor union may demand negotiations with its employer for terms and conditions of work covering employees in the bargaining unit concerned.

SECTION 4. Procedure in single enterprise bargaining. - A recognized or certified labor union that desires to negotiate with its employer shall submit such intention in writing to the employer, together with its proposals for collective bargaining.

The recognized or certified labor union and its employer may adopt such procedures and processes they may deem appropriate and necessary for the early termination of their negotiations. They shall name their respective representatives to the negotiation, schedule the number and frequency of meetings, and agree on wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of work for all employees covered in the bargaining unit.

SECTION 5. When multi-employer bargaining available. - A legitimate labor union(s) and employers may agree in writing to come together for the purpose of collective bargaining, provided:

SECTION 6. Procedure in multi-employer bargaining. - Multi-employer bargaining may be initiated by the labor unions or by the employers.

SECTION 7. Posting and registration of collective bargaining agreement. - Two (2) signed copies of collective bargaining agreement reached through multi-employer bargaining shall be posted for at least five (5) days in two conspicuous areas in each workplace of the employer units concerned. Said collective bargaining agreement shall affect only those employees in the bargaining units who have ratified it.

The same collective bargaining agreement shall be registered with the Department in accordance with the following Rule.

RULE XVII
  REGISTRATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

SECTION 1. Where to file. - Within thirty (30) days from execution of a collective bargaining agreement, the parties thereto shall submit two (2) duly signed copies of the agreement to the Regional Office which issued the certificate of registration/certificate of creation of chartered local of the labor union-party to the agreement. Where the certificate of creation of the concerned chartered local was issued by the Bureau, the agreement shall be filed with the Regional Office which has jurisdiction over the place where it principally operates.

Multi-employer collective bargaining agreements shall be filed with the Bureau.

SECTION 2. Requirements for registration. - The application for CBA registration shall be accompanied by the original and two (2) duplicate copies of the following documents which must be certified under oath by the representative(s) of the employer(s) and labor union(s) concerned

No other document shall be required in the registration of collective bargaining agreements.

SECTION 3. Payment of registration fee. - The certificate of registration of collective bargaining agreement shall be issued by the Regional Office upon payment of the prescribed registration fee.

SECTION 4. Action on the application. - The Regional Office and the Bureau shall act on applications for registration of collective bargaining agreements within five (5) days from receipt thereof, either by: (a) approving the application and issuing the certificate of registration; or (b) denying the application for failure of the applicant to comply with the requirements for registration.

Where the documents supporting the application are not complete or are not verified under oath, the Regional Office or the Bureau shall, within five (5) days from receipt of the application, notify the applicants in writing of the requirements needed to complete the application. Where the applicants fail to complete the requirements within ten (10) days from receipt of notice, the application shall be denied without prejudice.

SECTION 5. Denial of registration; grounds for appeal. - The denial of registration shall be in writing, stating in clear terms the reasons therefor and served upon the applicant union and employer within twenty-four (24) hours from issuance. The denial by the Regional Office of the registration of single enterprise collective bargaining agreements may be appealed to the Bureau within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice of denial. The denial by the Bureau of the registration of multi-employer collective bargaining agreements may be appealed to the Office of the Secretary within the same period.

The memorandum of appeal shall be filed with the Regional Office or the Bureau, as the case may be. The same shall be transmitted, together with the entire records of the application, to the Bureau or the Office of the Secretary, as the case may be, within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the memorandum of appeal.

SECTION 6. Period and manner of disposition of appeal. - The Bureau and the Office of the Secretary shall resolve the appeal within the same period and in the same manner prescribed in Rule XI of these Rules.

SECTION 7. Term of representation status; contract bar rule. - The representation status of the incumbent exclusive bargaining agent which is a party to a duly registered collective bargaining agreement shall be for a term of five (5) years from the date of the effectivity of the collective bargaining agreement. No petition questioning the majority status of the incumbent exclusive bargaining agent or petition for certification election filed outside of the sixty-day period immediately preceding the expiry date of such five-year term shall be entertained by the Department.

The five-year representation status acquired by an incumbent bargaining agent either through single enterprise collective bargaining or multi-employer bargaining shall not be affected by a subsequent collective bargaining agreement executed between the same bargaining agent and the employer during the same five-year period.

SECTION 8. Re-negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.  - All provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, except the representation status of the incumbent bargaining agent shall, as a matter of right, be renegotiated not later than three (3) years after its execution.

The re-negotiated collective bargaining agreement shall be ratified and registered with the same Regional Office where the preceding agreement was registered. The same requirements and procedure in the registration of collective bargaining agreements prescribed in the preceding rules shall be applied.

RULE XVIII
  CENTRAL REGISTRY OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AND
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

SECTION 1. Forms for registration. - Consistent with the policy of the State to promote unionism, the Bureau shall devise or prescribe such forms as are necessary to facilitate the process of registration of labor organizations and collective bargaining agreements or of compliance with all documentary or reporting requirements prescribed in these Rules.

SECTION 2. Transmittal of records; central registry. - The Labor Relations Division of the Regional Offices shall, within forty-eight (48) hours from issuance of a certificate of creation of chartered locals or certificate of registration of labor organizations and collective bargaining, transmit to the Bureau a copy of such certificates accompanied by a copy of the documents supporting registration.

The Labor Relations Division of the Regional Office shall also transmit to the Bureau a copy of every final decision canceling or revoking the legitimate status of a labor organization or collective bargaining agreement, indicating therein the date when the decision became final.

In cases of chartering and affiliation or compliance with the reporting requirements under Rule V, the Regional Office shall transmit within two (2) days from receipt thereof the original set of documents to the Bureau, retaining one set of documents for its file.

RULE XIX
  GRIEVANCE MACHINERY AND VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION

SECTION 1. Establishment of grievance machinery.  - The parties to a collective bargaining agreement shall establish a machinery for the expeditious resolution of grievances arising from the interpretation or implementation of the collective bargaining agreement and those arising from the interpretation or enforcement of company personnel policies. Unresolved grievances will be referred to voluntary arbitration and for this purpose, parties to a collective bargaining agreement shall name and designate in advance a voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators, or include in the agreement a procedure for the selection of such voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators, preferably from the listing of qualified voluntary arbitrators duly accredited by the Board.

In the absence of applicable provision in the collective bargaining agreement, a grievance committee shall be created within ten (10) days from signing of the collective bargaining agreement. The committee shall be composed of at least two (2) representatives each from the members of the bargaining unit and the employer, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties. The representatives from among the members of the bargaining unit shall be designated by the union.

SECTION 2. Procedure in handling grievances. - In the absence of a specific provision in the collective bargaining agreement or existing company practice prescribing for the procedures in handling grievance, the following shall apply:

Where the issue involves or arises from the interpretation or implementation of a provision in the collective bargaining agreement, or from any order, memorandum, circular or assignment issued by the appropriate authority in the establishment, and such issue cannot be resolved at the level of the shop steward or the supervisor, the same may be referred immediately to the grievance committee.

SECTION 3. Submission to voluntary arbitration. - Where grievance remains unresolved, either party may serve notice upon the other of its decision to submit the issue to voluntary arbitration. The notice shall state the issue or issues to be arbitrated, copy thereof furnished the board or the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators named or designated in the collective bargaining agreement.

If the party upon whom the notice is served fails or refuses to respond favorably within seven (7) days from receipt thereof, the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators designated in the collective bargaining agreement shall commence voluntary arbitration proceedings. Where the collective bargaining agreement does not so designate, the board shall call the parties and appoint a voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators, who shall thereafter commence arbitration proceedings in accordance with the proceeding paragraph.

In instances where parties fail to select a voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators, the regional branch of the Board shall designate the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators, as may be necessary, which shall have the same force and effect as if the parties have selected the arbitrator.

SECTION 4. Jurisdiction of voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators. - The voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators shall have exclusive and original jurisdiction to hear and decide all grievances arising from the implementation or interpretation of the collective bargaining agreements and those arising from the interpretation or enforcement of company personnel policies which remain unresolved after exhaustion of the grievance procedure.

They shall also have exclusive and original jurisdiction, to hear and decide wage distortion issues arising from the application of any wage orders in organized establishments, as well as unresolved grievances arising from the interpretation and implementation of the productivity incentive programs under R.A. 6971.

The National Labor Relations Commission, its regional branches and Regional Directors of the Department of Labor and Employment shall not entertain disputes, grievances or matters under the exclusive and original jurisdiction of the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators and shall immediately dispose and refer the same to the appropriate grievance machinery or voluntary arbitration provided in the collective bargaining agreement.

Upon agreement of the parties, any other labor dispute may be submitted to a voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators. Before or at any stage of the compulsory arbitration process, the parties may opt to submit their dispute to voluntary arbitration.

SECTION 5. Powers of voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators. - The voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators shall have the power to hold hearings, receive evidence and take whatever action is necessary to resolve the issue/s subject of the dispute.

The voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators may conciliate or mediate to aid the parties in reaching a voluntary settlement of the dispute.

SECTION 6. Procedure. - All parties to the dispute shall be entitled to attend the arbitration proceedings. The attendance of any third party or the exclusion of any witness from the proceedings shall be determined by the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators. Hearing may be adjourned for cause or upon agreement by the parties.

Unless the parties agree otherwise, it shall be mandatory for the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators to render an award or decision within twenty (20) calendar days from the date of submission for resolution.

Failure on the part of the voluntary arbitrator to render a decision, resolution, order or award within the prescribed period, shall upon complaint of a party, be sufficient ground for the Board to discipline said voluntary arbitrator, pursuant to the guidelines issued by the Secretary. In cases that the recommended sanction is de-listing, it shall be unlawful for the voluntary arbitrator to refuse or fail to turn over to the board, for its further disposition, the records of the case within ten (10) calendar days from demand thereof.

SECTION 7. Finality of Award/Decision. - The decision, order, resolution or award of the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators shall be final and executory after ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the copy of the award or decision by the parties and it shall not be subject of a motion for reconsideration.

SECTION 8. Execution of Award/Decision. - Upon motion of any interested party, the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators or the Labor Arbiter in the region where the movant resides, in case of the absence or incapacity for any reason of the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators who issued the award or decision, may issue a writ of execution requiring either the Sheriff of the Commission or regular courts or any public official whom the parties may designate in the submission agreement to execute the final decision, order or award.

SECTION 9. Cost of voluntary arbitration and voluntary arbitrator's fee.  - The parties to a collective bargaining agreement shall provide therein a proportionate sharing scheme on the cost of voluntary arbitration including the voluntary arbitrator's fee. The fixing of fee of voluntary arbitrators or panel of voluntary arbitrators, whether shouldered wholly by the parties or subsidized by the Special Voluntary Arbitration Fund, shall take into account the following factors:

Unless the parties agree otherwise, the cost of voluntary arbitration proceedings and voluntary arbitrator's fee shall be shared equally by the parties

Parties are encouraged to set aside funds to answer for the cost of voluntary arbitration proceedings including voluntary arbitrator's fee. In the event the said funds are not sufficient to cover such expenses, an amount by way of subsidy taken out of the Special Voluntary Arbitration fund may be availed of by either or both parties subject to the guidelines on voluntary arbitration to be issued by the Secretary.

SECTION 10. Maintenance of case records by the Board. - The Board shall maintain all records pertaining to a voluntary arbitration case. In all cases, the Board shall be furnished a copy of all pleadings and submitted to the voluntary arbitrator as well as the orders, awards and decisions issued by the voluntary arbitrator.

The records of a case shall be turned over by the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitrators to the concerned regional branch of the Board within ten (10) days upon satisfaction of the final arbitral award/order/decision.

RULE XX
  LABOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

SECTION 1. Labor education of workers and employees. - The Department shall develop, promote and implement appropriate labor education and research programs on the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.

It shall be the duty of every legitimate labor organization to implement a labor education program for its members on their rights and obligations as unionists and as employees.

SECTION 2. Mandatory conduct of seminars. - Subject to the provisions of Article 241, it shall be mandatory for every legitimate labor organization to conduct seminars and similar activities on existing labor laws, collective agreements, company rules and regulations and other relevant matters. The union seminars and similar activities may be conducted independently of or in cooperation with the Department and other labor education institutions.

SECTION 3. Special fund for labor education and research. - Every legitimate labor organization shall, for the above purpose, maintain a special fund for labor education and research. Existing strike funds may, in whole or in part, be transformed into labor education and research funds. The labor organization may also periodically assess and collect reasonable amounts from its members for such funds.

RULE XXI
  LABOR-MANAGEMENT AND OTHER COUNCILS

SECTION 1. Creation of labor-management and other councils. - The Department shall promote the formation of labor-management councils in organized and unorganized establishments to enable the workers to participate in policy and decision-making processes in the establishment, insofar as said processes will directly affect their rights, benefits and welfare, except those which are covered by collective bargaining agreements or are traditional areas of bargaining.

The Department shall promote other labor-management cooperation schemes and, upon its own initiative or upon the request of both parties, may assist in the formulation and development of programs and projects on productivity, occupational safety and health, improvement of quality of work life, product quality improvement, and other similar scheme.

In line with the foregoing, the Department shall render, among others, the following services:

SECTION 2. Selection of representatives. - In organized establishments, the workers' representatives to the council shall be nominated by the exclusive bargaining representative. In establishments where no legitimate labor organization exists, the workers representative shall be elected directly by the employees at large.

RULE XXII
CONCILIATION, STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

SECTION 1. Conciliation of labor-management disputes.  - The board may, upon request of either of both parties or upon its own initiative, provide conciliation-mediation services to labor disputes other than notices of strikes or lockouts. Conciliation cases which are not subjects of notices of strike or lockout shall be docketed as preventive mediation cases.

SECTION 2. Privileged communication. - Information and statements given in confidence at conciliation proceedings shall be treated as privileged communications. Conciliators and similar officials shall not testify in any court or body regarding any matter taken up at conciliation proceedings conducted by them.

SECTION 3. Issuance of subpoena. - The Board shall have the power to require the appearance of any parties at conciliation meetings.

SECTION 4. Compromise Agreements. - Any compromise settlement, including those involving labor standard laws, voluntarily agreed upon by the parties with the assistance of the Board and its regional branches shall be final and binding upon the parties. The National Labor Relations Commission or any court shall not assume jurisdiction over issues involved therein except in case of non-compliance thereof or if there is prima facie evidence that the settlement was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion. Upon motion of any interested party, the Labor Arbiter in the region where the agreement was reached may issue a writ of execution requiring a sheriff of the Commission or the courts to enforce the terms of the agreement.

SECTION 5. Grounds for strike or lockout. - A strike or lockout may be declared in cases of bargaining deadlocks and unfair labor practices. Violations of collective bargaining agreements, except flagrant and/or malicious refusal to comply with its economic provisions, shall not be considered unfair labor practice and shall not be strikeable. No strike or lockout may be declared on grounds involving inter-union and intra-union disputes without first having filed a notice of strike or lockout or without the necessary strike or lockout vote having been obtained and reported to the Board. Neither will a strike be declared after assumption of jurisdiction by the Secretary or after certification or submission of the dispute to compulsory or voluntary arbitration or during the pendency of cases involving the same grounds for the strike or lockout.

SECTION 6. Who may declare a strike or lockout. - Any certified or duly recognized bargaining representative may declare a strike in cases of bargaining deadlocks and unfair labor practices. The employer may declare a lockout in the same cases. In the absence of a certified or duly recognized bargaining representative, any legitimate labor organization in the establishment may declare a strike but only on grounds of unfair labor practices.

SECTION 7. Notice of strike or lockout. - In bargaining deadlocks, a notice of strike or lockout shall be filed with the regional branch of the Board at least thirty (30) days before the intended date thereof, a copy of said notice having been served on the other party concerned. In cases of unfair labor practice, the period of notice shall be fifteen (15) days. However, in case of unfair labor practice involving the dismissal from employment of any union officer duly elected in accordance with the union constitution and by-laws which may constitute union-busting where the existence of the union is threatened, the fifteen-day cooling-off period shall not apply and the union may take action immediately after the strike vote is conducted and the results thereof submitted to the appropriate regional branch of the Board.

SECTION 8. Contents of notice. - The notice shall state, among others, the names and addresses of the employer and the union involved, the nature of the industry to which the employer belongs, the number of union members and of the workers in the bargaining unit, and such other relevant data as may facilitate the settlement of the dispute, such as a brief statement or enumeration of all pending labor disputes involving the same parties.

In cases of bargaining deadlocks, the notice shall, as far as practicable, further state the unresolved issues in the bargaining negotiations and be accompanied by the written proposals of the union, the counter-proposals of the employer and the proof of a request for conference to settle the differences. In cases of unfair labor practices, the notice shall, as far as practicable, state the acts complained of and the efforts taken to resolve the dispute amicably.

In case a notice does not conform with the requirements of this and the foregoing section/s, the regional branch of the Board shall inform the concerned party of such fact.

SECTION 9. Action on Notice. - Upon receipt of the notice, the regional branch of the Board shall exert all efforts at mediation and conciliation to enable the parties to settle the dispute amicably. The regional branch of the Board may, upon agreement of the parties, treat a notice as a preventive mediation case. It shall also encourage the parties to submit the dispute to voluntary arbitration.

During the proceedings, the parties shall not do any act which may disrupt or impede the early settlement of the dispute. They are obliged, as part of their duty to bargain collectively in good faith and to participate fully and promptly in the conciliation meetings called by the regional branch of the Board.

A notice, upon agreement of the parties, may be referred to alternative modes of dispute resolution, including voluntary arbitration.

SECTION 10. Strike or lockout vote.  - A decision to declare a strike must be approved by a majority of the total union membership in the bargaining unit concerned obtained by secret ballot in meetings or referenda called for the purpose. A decision to declare a lockout must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the employer, corporation or association or the partners in a partnership obtained by a secret ballot in a meeting called for the purpose.

The regional branch of the Board may, at its own initiative or upon request of any affected party, supervise the conduct of the secret balloting. In every case, the union or the employer shall furnish the regional branch of the Board and the notice of meetings referred to in the preceding paragraph at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meetings as well as the results of the voting at least seven (7) days before the intended strike or lockout, subject to the cooling-off period provided in this Rule.

SECTION 11. Declaration of strike or lockout. - Should the dispute remain unsettled after the lapse of the requisite number of days from the filing of the notice of strike or lockout and of the results of the election required in the preceding section, the labor union may strike or the employer may lock out its workers. The regional branch of the Board shall continue mediating and conciliating.

SECTION 12. Improved offer balloting. - In case of a strike, the regional branch of the Board shall, at its own initiative or upon the request of any affected party, conduct a referendum by secret balloting on the improved offer of the employer on or before the 30th day of strike. When at least a majority of the union members vote to accept the improved offer, the striking workers shall immediately return to work and the employer shall thereupon re-admit them upon the signing of the agreement.

In case of a lockout, the regional branch of the Board shall also conduct a referendum by secret balloting on the reduced offer of the union on or before the 30th day of the lockout. When at least a majority of the board of directors or trustees or the partners holding the controlling interest in the case of partnership vote to accept the reduced offer, the workers shall immediately return to work and the employer shall thereupon readmit them upon the signing of the agreement.

SECTION 13. Peaceful picketing. - Workers shall have the right to peaceful picketing. No person engaged in picketing shall commit any act of violence, coercion or intimidation or obstruct the free ingress to or egress from the employer's premises for lawful purposes, or obstruct public thoroughfares.

No person shall obstruct, impede or interfere with, by force, violence, coercion, threats or intimidation, any peaceful picketing by workers during any labor controversy or in the exercise of the right to self-organization or collective bargaining or shall aid or abet such obstruction or interference. No employer shall use or employ any person to commit such acts nor shall any person be employed for such purpose.

SECTION 14. Injunctions. - No court or entity shall enjoin any picketing, strike or lockout, except as provided in Articles 218 and 263 of the Labor Code.

The Commission shall have the power to issue temporary restraining orders in such cases but only after due notice and hearing and in accordance with its rules. The reception of evidence for the application of a writ of injunction may be delegated by the Commission to any Labor Arbiter who shall submit his recommendations to the Commission for its consideration and resolution.

Any ex parte restraining order issued by the Commission, or its chairman or Vice-Chairman where the Commission is not in session and as prescribed by its rules, shall be valid for a period not exceeding twenty (20) days.

SECTION 15. Criminal prosecution. - The regular courts shall have jurisdiction over any criminal action under Article 272 of the Labor Code.

RULE XXIII
  CONTEMPT

SECTION 1. Direct contempt; Person guilty of misbehavior. - A person guilty of misbehavior in the presence of or so near the Secretary, the Chairman or any member of the Commission, Bureau Director or any Labor Arbiter as to obstruct or interrupt the proceedings before the same, including disrespect toward said officials, offensive personalities toward others, or refusal to be sworn or to answer as a witness or to subscribe an affidavit or deposition when lawfully required to do so may be summarily adjudged in direct contempt by said officials and punished by fines not exceeding five hundred pesos (P500.00) or imprisonment not exceeding five (5) days or both, if it be the Secretary, the Commission or members thereof, or a fine not exceeding one hundred pesos (P100.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) day, or both, if it be the Bureau Director or Labor Arbiter.

The person adjudged in direct contempt by a Labor Arbiter may appeal to the Commission while the person adjudged in direct contempt by the Bureau Director may appeal to the Secretary. The execution of the judgment shall be suspended pending the resolution of the appeal upon the filing by such person of a bond on condition that he will abide by and perform the judgment should the appeal be decided against him. The judgment of the Commission and the Secretary is immediately executory and inappealable.

SECTION 2. Indirect contempt. - Indirect contempt shall be dealt with by the Secretary, Commission, Bureau Director or Labor Arbiter in the manner prescribed under Rule 71 of the Revised Rules of Court.

RULE XXIV
EXECUTION OF DECISIONS, AWARDS OR ORDERS

SECTION 1. Execution of decisions, orders or awards.  (a) The Secretary or the Bureau or Regional Director, the Labor Arbiter, the Med-Arbiter or Voluntary Arbitrator may, upon his/her own initiative or on motion of any interested party, issue a writ of execution on a judgment within five (5) years from the date it becomes final and executory, requiring the Sheriff or the duly deputized officer to execute or enforce their respective final decisions, orders and awards.

(b) The Secretary and the Chairman of the Commission may designate special sheriffs and take any measure under existing laws to ensure compliance with their decisions, orders or awards and those of the Labor Arbiters and voluntary arbitrators, including the imposition of administrative fines, which shall not be less than five hundred (P500.00) pesos nor more than ten thousand (P10,000.00) pesos.

(c) Alternatively, the Secretary, the Commission, any Labor Arbiter, the Regional Director or the Director of the Bureau of Labor Relations in appropriate cases may deputize the Philippine National Police or any law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of final awards, orders or decisions.

RULE XXV
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Incidental motions will not be given due course. - In all proceedings at all levels, motions for dismissals or any other incidental motions shall not be given due course, but shall remain as part of the records for whatever they may be worth when the case is decided on the merits.

SECTION 2. Non-intervention of outsiders in labor disputes. - No person other than the interested parties, their counsels or representatives may intervene in labor disputes pending before the Regional Office, the Bureau, Labor Arbiters, the compulsory or voluntary arbitrators, the Commission, and the Secretary. Any violation of this provision will subject the outsider to the administrative fines and penalties provided for in the Code.

SECTION 3. When complaint deemed filed.  - A complaint is deemed filed upon receipt thereof by the appropriate agency which has jurisdiction over the subject matter and over the parties.

SECTION 4. Check-off from non-members.  - Pursuant to Article 248 (e) of the Code, the employer shall check-off from non-union members within a collective bargaining unit the same reasonable fee equivalent to the dues and other fees normally paid by union members without the need for individual check-off authorizations.

RULE XXVI
  TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Rules governing prior applications, petitions, complaints, cases. - All applications, petitions, complaints, cases or incidents commenced or filed prior to the effectivity of these amendatory Rules shall be governed by the old rules as amended by Department Order No. 9, series of 1997.

SECTION 2. Equity of the incumbent. - Industry unions or trade union centers registered by virtue of the old rules as amended by Department Order No. 9, series of 1997, shall maintain their legitimate status, with all rights and obligations appurtenant thereto.

ARTICLE II. All other rules, regulations, issuances, circulars and administrative orders inconsistent herewith are hereby superseded. If any part or provision of these Rules shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

ARTICLE III. The foregoing rules shall take effect two weeks after completion of publication in one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 17 Feb. 2003

(SGD.) PATRICIA A. STO. TOMAS
  Secretary