Estrada: Violators of Eddie Garcia law on work hrs to be fined up to P500,000

A scene from the movie “Sevap” is seen on a camera display, on a film set, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, June 16, 2022. (File photo from Reuters/Dado Ruvic)

MANILA,  Philippines — Production outfits that continue to violate the Eddie Garcia law could be held liable even pending the issuance of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada warned on Monday.

According to Estrada, he received information “that some production outfits continue to be engaged in 20 to 22 hours of shooting” which, he said, is a blatant violation of Section 9 of Republic Act 11996.

Some production executives supposedly claim that the law is not yet enforceable due to the lack of any existing IRR, said the senator, citing the same  information.

“Malinaw ang nakasaad sa batas: Itinatakda na sa walo hanggang labing-apat na oras lang kada araw ang dapat na working hours ng mga manggagawa sa entertainment industry,” Estrada said in a statement.

(The law clearly states that the working hours of workers in the entertainment industry should be limited to eight to fourteen hours per day.)

“Ang hindi pagsunod sa probisyon ng ngayon ay ganap ng batas na Eddie Garcia law ay may karampatang multa na P100,000 hanggang kalahating milyong piso,” he stressed.

(The non-compliance with the provisions of the now fully enacted Eddie Garcia law carries a corresponding fine of ₱100,000 to ₱500,000.)

Signed last May, Republic Act 11996 aims to protect the welfare of workers in the movie and television industry.

The law was named after the 90-year-old veteran actor, who died on June 20, 2019 or days after  he suffered neck fracture while filming for an upcoming television series.

Estrada reiterated that under the law, the hours of work “shall be eight hours a day which can be extended to a maximum of fourteen, exclusive of meal periods.”

“In no case shall the total number of work hours be more than 60 hours a week,” said  the senator, who sponsored the measure as then chairman of the Senate committee on labor.

“They cannot circumvent the law by claiming that the Eddie Garcia law cannot be enforced without an IRR. This is untenable,” he added.

Estrada cited a Supreme Court ruling issued on October 6, 2008, which held that implementing rules are not necessary to give legal effect to the provisions of a law.

He likewise pointed to Section 33 of RA 11996, which states that it shall take effect 15 days following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

The law was uploaded in the Official Gazette last May 28, four days after it was signed into law, he further noted.

“Uulitin ko, mayroon ng umiiral na batas at ang sinumang lalabag dito ay dapat handang tanggapin ang kaukulang parusa kapag sila ay napatunayang nagkasala,” Estrada said.

(I will repeat, there is an existing law, and anyone who violates it must be prepared to accept the corresponding penalties if they are proven guilty.)

NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.