Section 24 is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 24. Settlement of Disputes.
Section 5
SEC. 5. Section 24 is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 24. Settlement of Disputes.—The System shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising under this Act and any other laws administered by the System. "In case of conflicting claims for benefits payable under this Act or Commonwealth Act No. 186, as amended, the claim shall be paid in accordance with this Act. “ The Board may designate any member of the Board, or official of the System who is a lawyer, to act as hearing officer to receive evidence, make findings of fact and submit recommendation thereon. The hearing officer shall submit his findings and recommendations, together with all the documentary and testimonial evidence, to the Board within thirty working days from the time the parties have closed their respective evidence and filed their last pleading. The Board shall decide the case within thirty days from receipt of the hearing officer’s findings and recommendations: The cases heard directly by the Board shall be decided within thirty working days from the time they are submitted by parties for decision.”