QUEZON CITY—Reaffirming its commitment to cultivate a culture of excellence and promote its dedication in delivering labor justice, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) recognized top-performing Labor Arbiters and employees from the Regional Arbitration Branches (RABs) during the celebration of its 51 st anniversary at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center on November 27, 2025.

Ten Labor Arbiters and their staff nationwide received plaques, certificates, and cash prizes during the awarding ceremony spearheaded by the Presiding Commissioners and Commissioners.

The outstanding awardees, who were recognized for their exemplary performance in the settlement, disposition, and execution of cases for the period of January to October 2024, were:

NCRAB (Branch 27)

o Labor Arbiter Elium Banda, Jr.

o Labor Arbitration Associate (LAA) Emma Danganan

o Administrative Assistant V Gloria Espinas

o Sheriff Jovette Cagampan

RABVI (Bacolod City)

o Labor Arbiter Christine Bulanon-Gubalane

o LAA Cecile Ledesma

o Administrative Assistant V Edwin Demisana and Ma. Fatima Hipolito

o Sheriff Audrey Christi Ledesma

NCRAB (Branch 45)

o Labor Arbiter Sherwin Casurao

o LAA Mercenita Danao

o Administrative Assistant V Ellun Dellima

o Sheriff James Posada

RABXII (Koronadal City)

o Labor Arbiter Ma. Lourdes Romelli Juliano

o LAA Pobleo Allera

o Administrative Assistant V Jocelyn Parco

o Sheriff Jeston Errol Panganiban

NCRAB (Branch 32)

o Labor Arbiter Leilanie Braza-Oro

o LAA Donna Gerna

o Administrative Assistant V Sheremay Amurao

o Sheriff Ryan Jesus Mariano

RAB X (Cagayan de Oro City)

o Executive Labor Arbiter Sadat Datu

o LAA Jeremy DV. Cabrera

o Administrative Assistant V Hayrea Ely

o Sheriff Allan Rosh Catotal

NCRAB (Branch 40)

o Labor Arbiter Catherine Parado

o LAA Agnes Fernandez

o Administrative Assistant V Mary Joyce Inoncillo

o Sheriff Marc Cyrus Cruz

RAB VIII (Tacloban City)

o Executive Labor Arbiter Amelia Docena

o LAA Manuelita Ala

o Administrative Assistant V Jenny Anne Montealegre

o Sheriff Gerem Ace Ariza

NCRAB (Branch 7)

o Labor Arbiter Ann Morales-Sapasap

o LAA Jennifer Adame

o Administrative Assistant V Geral Olaguer

o Sheriff Marc Cyrus Cruz

Meanwhile, the Best RAB was awarded to the office of Labor Arbiter Marive Peque of RAB VII in Cebu City for having achieved the highest overall rating in the settlement, disposition, and execution of cases for January to October 2024. Also awarded were the staff of Labor Arbiter Peque, namely, LAA Maricel Famor, Administrative Officer IV Sarah Cabahug, and Sheriff Dexter Joy Ragas.

The awardees were also evaluated based on their attendance as certified by the Administrative Division, attendance during conciliation-mediation, timely issuance of case decisions and orders, and timeliness in filing of monthly accomplishment reports with the Research, Information, and Publications Division (RIPD).

In her message read by Second Division Presiding Commissioner Julia Cecily Sosito, Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan congratulated the awardees and noted the significant achievements of the entire NLRC for the year.

“This year has been truly rewarding for the Commission. We achieved our goals and delivered meaningful service to our stakeholders,” she said.

“Next year, our priority is our Execution Program. We aim to improve on how we execute the satisfaction of judgment awards,” she added.

The awards committee and selection board consisted of the NLRC Chairperson as the Committee Head, together with Commissioners and representatives from the National Association of Labor Arbiters, Inc. (NALAI), NLRC Employees Association, Association of Labor Arbitration Associates of the Philippines (ALAAP), and Stenographic Reporters Association (SRA) as members and staff from the Office of the Executive Clerk of Court IV, Research and Legal Department, RIPD, and Administrative Division as the Technical Working Group and Secretariat.

With the theme “Pagpupugay sa Manggagawang Filipino Ngayong Pasko”, the NLRC’s 51 st anniversary celebration also coincided with the agency’s Christmas Party and General Assembly. Other highlights of the event include group musical performances, raffle of appliances and cash prizes, and awarding of sportsfest and best lobby and hall decoration contest winners.

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