Section 17Sec./Art. 17

Powers and Authorities of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the power and authority:

(a) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the hearing and disposition of cases before it and its Adjudicators, as well as those necessary to carry out its functions;

(b) To administer oaths, summon the parties to a controversy, issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of such books, papers, contracts, records, statements of accounts, agreements, and others as may be material to a just determination of the case;

(c) To hold any person in contempt directly or indirectly and impose appropriate penalties therefore in accordance with law.

Any person committing any act of misbehavior in the presence of or so near any member of the Commission or any Adjudicator as to obstruct or interrupt the proceedings before the same, including disrespect toward said officials, offensive acts 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 guilty of direct contempt by said officials and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos (₱5,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding five (5) days, or both if it be committed against the Commission or any member thereof; and, if the offense is committed against an Adjudicator, it shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding One thousand pesos (₱1,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) day, or both.

The person adjudged in direct contempt by the Adjudicator may appeal to the Commission and 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/she will abide by and perform the judgment of the Commission should the appeal be decided against him/her. Judgment of the Commission on direct contempt is immediately executory and unappealable. Indirect contempt shall be dealt with by the Commission or Adjudicator in the manner prescribed under Rule 71 of the Revised Rules of Court (ROC).

(d) To enjoin or restrain, after due notice and hearing, any actual or threatened commission of any or all prohibited or unlawful acts or to require the performance of a particular act in any dispute within its jurisdiction which, if not restrained or performed forthwith, may cause grave or irreparable damage to any party or render ineffectual any decision in favor of such party. In no case shall a temporary or permanent injunction be issued except after a finding of fact by the Commission, to the effect that:

(1) Prohibited or unlawful acts have been threatened and will be committed and will be continued unless restrained, but no injunction or temporary restraining order shall be issued on account of any threat, prohibited or unlawful act, except against the person or persons, association or organization making the threat or committing the prohibited or unlawful act or actually authorizing or ratifying the same after actual knowledge thereof;

(2) Substantial and irreparable injury to complainants property will follow;

(3) As to each item of relief to be granted, greater injury will be inflicted upon complainant by the denial of relief than will be inflicted upon defendants by the granting of relief;

(4) Complainant has no adequate remedy at law; and

(5) Public officers charged with the duty to protect complainants property are unable or unwilling to furnish adequate protection.1avvphi1

(e) To exercise such other powers as are implied, necessary, or incidental to carry out the express powers granted to the Commission.