MANILA - The Senate has passed on third reading Senate Bill No. 2505 or an act protecting the welfare of workers in the movie and television industry or the so-called “Eddie Garcia Law.”
 
Twenty-two senators voted in favor, with zero negative vote, and zero abstentions.
 
The proposed measure calls provides for protection of movie and TV workers in the workplace from abuse, harassment, hazardous working conditions, and economic exploitation and provisions on hours of work, employment contract, including job position/description, status, period of employment/service, wages and other wage-related benefits, social security and welfare benefits, basic necessity, health and safety, working conditions and standards, and insurance.
 
A number of entertainment workers were at the Senate gallery to witness the Session, including Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Philip Salvador, Tirso Cruz III, Iza Calzado, Herbert Bautista, Marjorie Barreto, Rez Cortez, Bembol Roco, Joyce Bernal, Dingdong Dantos, Marian Rivera, Mariel Rodriguez, and Ricky Davao, among others.
 
Lilibeth Romero, the wife of the late Eddie Garcia, was also present.
 
Martin Nievera led the singing of the National Anthem on Monday's session.
 
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, urged the House of Representatives to immediately adopt the Senate version, saying the measure is the legislators’ way of recognizing workers in the entertainment industry, whether in front or behind the camera.

• READ: Passage of 'Eddie Garcia bill' eyed before year-end
• READ: House approves 'Eddie Garcia bill'

“Isang malaking karangalan ang mabigyan ng pambihirang pagkakataon na tumayo at itaguyod ang pagpasa ng Senate Bill No. 2505 dahil hindi lamang ito katuparan ng sinimulan ng aking ama, katuparan din ito ng mithiin ng mga taga-industriya ng pelikula at telebisyon — ang suklian ang kanilang dedikasyon, propesyonalismo at talento ng mga benepisyong dapat sana ay noon pa nila tinatamasa,” Estrada said, who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor said. 

“Nakalulungkot isipin na ang pagpanaw ng beteranong aktor na si Eddie Garcia ang nagbunsod sa panukalang batas na ito. Sa isang banda, nakakapanatag ng loob na hindi na tayo nagpatumpik-tumpik pa at hahayaan na may magbuwis pa ng buhay nang dahil sa kakulangan ng mga safety precautions sa mga shooting locations,” he added.
 
In February 2023, the House of Representatives passed on third reading its own version of the Eddie Garcia bill, which was named after the veteran actor who died in 2019 after suffering from an accident while shooting a TV series.

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