National Federation of Labor (NFL) v. Eisma
National Federation of Labor (NFL) v. Eisma
Eisma whether or not respondent Judge had jurisdiction, and answered in the negative.
G.R. No. L-61236 January 31, 1984 He concluded that "the instant petition has merit and should be given due course.
Atmos
Topic: General principles; maximum aid and protection to labor
Petitioners: NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LABOR and ZAMBOWOOD MONTHLY EMPLOYEES
Issue: Which tribunal has exclusive jurisdiction over an action filed by an employee
UNION, ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
against his employer for recovery of unpaid salaries, separation benefits and
Respondents: THE HONORABLE CARLITO A. EISMA, LT. COL. JACOB CARUNCHO,
damages. The court of general jurisdiction or the Labor Arbiter of the National
COMMANDING OFFICER, ZAMBOANGA DISTRICT COMMAND, PC, AFP, and ZAMBOANGA
Labor Relations Commission?
WOOD PRODUCTS
Ponente: Fernando, C.J. Ruling:
FACTS:
The first and fundamental duty of courts is to apply the law. Construction and interpretation
Petitioner National Federation of Labor, on March 5, 1982, filed with the Ministry of come only after it has been demonstrated that application is impossible or inadequate
Labor and Employment, Labor Relations Division, Zamboanga City, a petition for without them.
direct certification as the sole exclusive collective bargaining representative of the
monthly paid employees of the respondent Zamboanga Wood Products Inc. at its
manufacturing plant in Lumayao, Zamboanga City. Such employees, on April 17, Jurisdiction over the subject matter in a judicial proceeding is conferred by the sovereign
1982 charged respondent firm before the same office of the Ministry of Labor for authority which organizes the court; and it is given only by law. Jurisdiction is never
underpayment of monthly living allowances. presumed; it must be conferred by law in words that do not admit of doubt.
Doctrine: It was contended that the acts complained of were incidents of picketing by
defendants then on strike against private respondent, and that therefore the exclusive
jurisdiction belongs to the Labor Arbiter pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 227, not to a court
of first instance. The first and fundamental duty of courts, in our judgment, is to apply the
law. Construction and interpretation come only after it has been demonstrated that
application is impossible or inadequate without them.