Section 3June 24, 2006, Sec./Art. 3

Article 215 of the Labor Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

"ART. 215. Appointment and Qualifications. - The Chairmans and other Commissioners shall be members of the Philippine Bar and must have been engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines for at least fifteen (15) years, with at least five (5) years experience or exposure in the field of labor-management relations, and shall preferably be residents of the region where they SHALL hold office. The Labor Arbiters shall likewise be members of the Philippine Bar and must have been engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines for at least ten (10) years, with at least five (5) years experience or exposure in THE FIELD OF labor-management relations.

"The Chairman, and the other Commissioners and the Labor Arbiters shall hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of sixty-five (65) years, unless sooner removed for cause as provided by law or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. Provided, however, That the President of the Republic of the Philippines may extent the services of the Commissioners and Labor Arbiters up to the maximum age of seventy (7) years upon the recommendation of the Commission en banc.

"The Chairman, the Division Presiding Commissioners and other Commissioners shall all be appointed by the President. Appointment to any vacancy in a specific division shall come only from the nominees of the sector which nominated the predecessor. The Labor Arbiters shall also be appointed by the President, upon recommendation of the Commission en banc to a specific arbitration branch, preperably in the region where they are residents, and shall be subject to the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations: Provided, that the labor arbiters who are presently holding office in the region where they are residents shall be deemed appointed thereat.

"The Chairman and the Commission, shall appoint the staff and employees of the Commission, and its regional branches as the needs of the service may require, subject to the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations, and upgrade their current salaries, benefits and other emoluments in accordance with law."