SEAFDEC – AQD v. NLRC

SEAFDEC – AQD v. NLRC – G.R. No. 86773

Facts:

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) is a department of an international organization, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, organized through an agreement entered into in Bangkok, Thailand. Juvenal Lazaga was employed as a Research Associate. Lacanilao in his capacity as Chief of SEAFDEC-AQD sent a notice of termination to private respondent informing him that due to the financial constraints being experienced by the department, his services shall be terminated. SEAFDEC-AQD's failure to pay Lazaga his separation pay forced him to file a case with the NLRC. The LA and NLRC ruled in favor of Lazaga. SEAFDEC-AQD claimed that the NLRC has no jurisdiction over the case.

Issue: W/N NLRC has jurisdiction over the case? NO

Held: Petition Granted

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) is an international agency beyond the jurisdiction of public respondent NLRC. Being an intergovernmental organization, SEAFDEC including its Departments (AQD), enjoys functional independence and freedom from control of the state in whose territory its office is located.