DOLE says ABS-CBN 'misrepresenting' position on company's labor practices

(Editor's note: This Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) statement on ABS-CBN was posted on its website on July 1, 2020. ABS-CBN is republishing it in full.)

The labor department denounces attempts by lawyers and officials of ABS CBN to misrepresent its position to deceive members of the House of Representatives in its bid to gain congressional approval for a new franchise.

We also take strong exceptions to claims that the department has found ABS CBN compliant with labor laws and standards, and that we approve of the seasonal work status for the broadcast firm’s program employees.

The facts bear us out. Our labor inspectors found violations of laws and standards by ABS CBN. And on account of those findings, the company took steps to correct those infractions.

It is therefore patently misleading to attribute to us the claim that ABS CBN is a compliant company. In fact, there are 67 pending cases against the company in the NLRC and the various courts.

We also warn the broadcast firm’s counsels against wrongfully presenting policy issuances of the department to the advantage of their client. The cited rule governing the employee-employer relationship in the broadcast industry 40 years ago, which is not aligned with the provisions of the Labor Code, does not anymore apply to date.

We also find most detestable the deliberate manner by which Policy Instruction No. 40 issued by the then Labor Minister in 1979 was volunteered to the House committee as basis for the work arrangement in ABS CBN. Misleading as it is, it conveniently leaves the impression that the policy was that of current Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

We are not letting this to pass.