Philippine Labor Law Glossary
Definition: A Med-Arbiter is an officer in a DOLE Regional Office or the Bureau of Labor Relations authorized to hear and decide representation cases, inter- and intra-union disputes and related labor-relations matters within the scope of the rules.
Full guide: How to Form and Register a Labor Union in the Philippines: Requirements, Steps and Rights
Sa Filipino · Filipino Explanation
Ano ang med-arbiter?
Ang med-arbiter ay opisyal sa isang DOLE Regional Office o sa Bureau of Labor Relations na awtorisadong duminig at magpasya sa mga representation case, inter- at intra-union dispute at kaugnay na usaping labor-relations sa saklaw ng mga panuntunan.
Iba ang med-arbiter sa labor arbiter — usaping representasyon at union ang saklaw niya, hindi ang mga kasong nasa jurisdiction ng NLRC.
What a Med-Arbiter Does
Under the implementing rules of Book V of the Labor Code, a Med-Arbiter is authorized to hear and decide representation cases, inter- and intra-union disputes and other related labor-relations disputes within the jurisdiction assigned by the rules.
The role is distinct from that of a Labor Arbiter, who adjudicates cases within the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Commission. Med-Arbiters primarily deal with representation and union-related disputes under DOLE’s labor-relations framework.
Common Matters
- Representation and certification-election disputes
- Inter-union disputes
- Intra-union disputes
- Other labor-relations matters assigned by the applicable rules
Common Misunderstanding
Misunderstanding: A Med-Arbiter and an NLRC Labor Arbiter perform the same function.
Correct approach: They operate under different parts of the labor-dispute system and generally handle different types of cases.
Related Terms
Sources and Legal Citations
- DOLE Department Order No. 40-03 — implementing rules of Book V and definition of Med-Arbiter. Supreme Court E-Library copy.
Sources rechecked as of: August 8, 2026
Disclaimer
Jurisdiction can depend on the exact nature and procedural posture of the union or representation dispute.