NLRC issues 2025 Rules of Procedure

By : Atty. Benzon A. Rambayon and Antonio Sebastian O. Rosales | 28 January 2026

The National Labor Relations Commission (“NLRC”) has issued the 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure, published on December 29, 2025 and took effect on January 13, 2026, replacing the 2011 Rules of Procedure and introducing major procedural reforms in labor cases.

The new rules aim to make labor adjudication more disciplined, efficient, and effective. They significantly tighten timelines, expand the use of digital processes, and restrict dilatory motions that have long delayed the resolution of labor cases.

The following are the most notable amendments:

On venue and jurisdiction

The new rules now give workers the option as to where they should file their complaints. All cases which Labor Arbiters have authority to hear and decide may now be filed in the Regional Arbitration Branch (“RAB”) having jurisdiction over the workplace or residence of the complainant, granting workers with accessibility and convenience. The term “workplace,” originally defined as the place where the employee was regularly assigned at the time the cause of action arose, has been broadened to reflect modern work arrangements such as telecommuting and flexible work setups. The term workplace now encompasses the place where the employee is assigned, where the employee is supposed to report back after a temporary detail, assignment, or travel, where the field employees, as well as mobile, ambulant, intermittent, or itinerant workers are assigned, or where they are supposed to regularly receive their salaries/wages or work instructions, and report the results of their assignments, and the alternative workplace of telecommuting workers, or those under similar work arrangements.[1]

On filing and service

The new rules conveniently allow the filing and service of pleadings personally, through registered mail, and through courier service.[2] Previously, all pleadings were filed only with the appropriate docketing unit of the relevant RAB or Commission. This promotes convenience, accessibility, and efficiency for litigants by reducing travel time, costs, and the need for personal appearance.

On stricter controls on non-lawyers 

To curb the presence of ambulance chasers in the halls of the NLRC taking advantage of the plight of workers and employees, the new rules prohibit unauthorized appearances by non-lawyers, who may be cited for contempt and prosecuted civilly, criminally, or administratively, and who are expressly barred from claiming attorney’s fees or any form of contingency fee. [3]

Further, the new rules prohibit lawyers from delegating to or permitting a non-lawyer, including a paralegal, to: (a) accept cases on behalf of the lawyer; (b) give legal advice or opinion; (c) act independently without the lawyer’s supervision or direction; (d) hold himself out as a lawyer, or be named in association with a lawyer in any pleading or submission to the NLRC; (e) appear before the NLRC or actively participate in formal legal proceedings on behalf of a client, except when allowed by the law or rules; (f) conduct negotiations with third parties unless under a lawyer’s supervision or direction; (g) sign correspondence containing a legal opinion; or (h) perform any of the duties that only lawyers may undertake.[4]

On the modes of serving summons to acquire jurisdiction over the respondent

One of the most persistent problems under the old rules was serving summons to respondents living in exclusive subdivisions or condominiums where security guards act as impenetrable barriers. Often, cases stall simply because jurisdiction over the person cannot be acquired. The new rules now provide that service may be effected personally through a competent adult at the respondent’s residence or office, or through designated community officers, such as security personnel or homeowners’ association officials.[5] 

On failure to file a Position Paper

The new rules clearly spell out the consequences of failing to file a position paper. If the complainant fails to submit one while the respondent does, the complaint may be dismissed without prejudice, unless otherwise declared. In cases where the complainant filed a second complaint, a second failure to file a position paper results in dismissal with prejudice notwithstanding the absence of any position paper from the respondent.

If it is the respondent who fails to file a position paper, such failure is deemed a waiver and the case shall be resolved based on the evidence on record.[6]

On appeal

The new rules are clear that failure to comply with any requirement for perfecting an appeal now results in outright dismissal of the same.[7] Moreover, the new rules now allow payment of appeal and other lawful fees not only to the RAB or DOLE Regional Office of origin, but also through a banking institution duly authorized by the NLRC to receive such payment.[8]

On the issuance of a writ of execution upon finality of judgment

The new rules mandate the issuance of a writ of execution upon finality of any decision, resolution, award, or order of the Labor Arbiter.[9] This is a safeguard designed to ensure the prompt and efficient enforcement of judgments.

Conclusion

The 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure mark a decisive shift toward faster, more disciplined, and more technology-driven labor adjudication. For workers, the reforms promise greater access to justice, clearer filing options, and quicker resolution of claims. For employers, the new framework imposes firmer procedural discipline, reduces dilatory tactics, and promotes the finality of decisions. Taken together, the amendments aim to restore confidence in the NLRC as an efficient and effective forum for resolving labor disputes.

[1] Section 1(b), Rule IV, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[2] Section 3, Rule III, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[3] Section 6(d), Rule III, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[4] Section 6(a), Rule III, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[5] Section 4, Rule V, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[6] Section 12, Rule V, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[7] Section 4, Rule VI, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[8] Section 8, Rule VI, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

[9] Section 1, Rule XI, 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Firm or any of its partners. This article shall not be construed as official legal advice from the Firm. 

Atty. Benzon A. Rambayon is an associate lawyer who earned his Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (magna cum laude) and his Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines College of Law.

Antonio Sebastian O. Rosales is a paralegal who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Management from De La Salle University. He is currently completing his Juris Doctor Degree at the University of Santo Tomas.

For further inquiries, please contact counsel@dargonlawfirm.com or call (02) 8426-1837.