Recently talk show host Jules Guiang lost his longtime job at state-run network PTV4 after commenting about the alleged violation on labor laws raised by some lawmakers during the ABS-CBN franchise renewal hearings.
On his Twitter account, Guiang posted about the accusation of Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor to ABS-CBN for its alleged unfair labor practices.
In his post, he reiterated the fact that the government itself has been practicing non-regularization of employees. He further proved his statement by using his experience with PTV4 as an example wherein in his eight years of service he is still a contractual employee without any benefits and an employer-employee status.
He claimed, “Check gov’ts backyard, thousands aren’t regularized. Ex: I’m on my 8th year in PTV w/o benefits, no employer-employee status. Job orders are a thing in gov’t & private sector..”
“We’re all for regularization, for a living wage, etc. I just find this argument hypocritical to be used against a network that is trying to renew their franchise. Maybe it’s a wake up call for the industry to treat their people fairly, pero wag ipitin and dos dahil dito,” he added.
Unfortunately, his statement displeased a government official which eventually led to his sudden separation from the network.
Following the government’s treatment of its employees, some Kapamilya artists reacted and condemned the officials’ own unlawful labor practices.
Comedian Ogie Diaz expressed his disbelief and questioned the lawfulness of the government while he expressed his support for Guiang.
Bilib pa din ako sa kanya. Kinukwestyon kasi ng 4 congressmen na di gawing regular ang mga contractual sa abs-cbn, pero antagal na niyang nganga pala sa ptv 4. Gobyerno yan ha? https://t.co/dth966s84U
— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) July 28, 2020
DJ Chacha called out for action to the lawmakers and urge them to resolve their own issues, while singer Gary Valencio returned the accusation to Congress.
Hi Sir @MikeDefensor sana aksyunan niyo rin yung problema ng mga empleyado sa @PTVph. Sama niyo na rin si Marcoleta, Remulla, pati ibang Kongresista para mabilis ang aksyon. https://t.co/z65N8GQFVL
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) July 28, 2020
Kaboom
https://t.co/8wbvPSaVqz
— GARY VALENCIANO (@GaryValenciano1) July 28, 2020
Amid the issues surfacing on ABS-CBN network’s alleged labor violations, the media giant already cleared that there is nothing illegal with hiring program employees and independent contractors.
ABS-CBN lawyer Atty. Josabeth Alonso said that the Department of Labor (DOLE) has cited no problem with getting non-regular employees.
Moreover, employees in the broadcast industry usually work based on the duration of the program they are working on and that program employees have the security of tenure while working on certain projects.
