GR 240144; (February, 2021) (Digest)
G.R. No. 240144 , February 03, 2021
DEL MONTE LAND TRANSPORT BUS, CO., PETITIONER, VS. RENANTE A. ARMENTA, ET AL., RESPONDENTS.
FACTS
Respondents, drivers and conductors hired by petitioner Del Monte Land Transport Bus, Co. (DLTB) from 2010-2013, filed a complaint for underpayment of wages and non-payment of holiday pay, rest day premium, service incentive leave, and 13th month pay. They claimed their daily salaries were P337.00, below the NCR minimum wage of P466.00, violating Department Order No. 118-12 (DO 118-12), which mandates a fixed and performance compensation scheme for public utility bus drivers and conductors. DLTB asserted it paid respondents based on hours worked plus commission as per DO 118-12 and presented Labor Standards Compliance Certificates (LSCC) issued to its operator, Del Monte Motor Works, Inc., by the DOLE-NCR Regional Director, certifying compliance with labor standards. DLTB also challenged the Labor Arbiter’s jurisdiction, arguing that under DO 118-12, the DOLE Regional Office has enforcement authority over such claims. The Labor Arbiter ruled in favor of respondents, awarding monetary claims. The NLRC reversed, dismissing the complaint for lack of jurisdiction, holding that the DOLE Regional Office, not the Labor Arbiter, has jurisdiction under DO 118-12. The Court of Appeals reinstated the Labor Arbiter’s decision, ruling that the claims for underpayment and benefits fell within the Labor Arbiter’s jurisdiction under Article 224 of the Labor Code.
ISSUE
Whether the Labor Arbiter or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office has jurisdiction over the labor standards claims (for underpayment of wages and non-payment of benefits) of the public utility bus drivers and conductors.
RULING
The Supreme Court ruled that the DOLE Regional Office has jurisdiction. The petition is granted. The Court reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated the NLRC decision dismissing the complaint for lack of jurisdiction. The Court held that Department Order No. 118-12, issued pursuant to the DOLE’s rule-making power, specifically provides in its Section 1, Rule VIII that compliance with the minimum wages and other benefits for public utility bus drivers and conductors “shall be enforced by the appropriate Regional Office of the DOLE having jurisdiction over the principal office of the owner/operator.” This is a special rule that prevails over the general jurisdiction of Labor Arbiters under Article 224 of the Labor Code. Since DLTB’s principal office is in Pasay City, NCR, the DOLE-NCR Regional Office has jurisdiction over the enforcement of respondents’ claims under DO 118-12. The LSCCs issued to DLTB’s operator further indicated that the matter fell under the DOLE’s visitorial and enforcement powers. The Labor Arbiter therefore lacked jurisdiction over the complaint. The dismissal is without prejudice to the respondents seeking relief through the proper forum, the DOLE-NCR Regional Office.