Julia Christine Botin

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177683927253020260212-tulfo-mv-trisha-kerstin-3-survivors-MT2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senator Raffy Tulfo, together with several survivors, holds a media briefing on the Basilan ferry tragedy involving MV Trisha Kerstin 3 at the Senate’s Sumulong Room on February 12, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Senator Raffy Tulfo, together with several survivors, holds a media briefing on the Basilan ferry tragedy involving MV Trisha Kerstin 3 at the Senate’s Sumulong Room on February 12, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday called for the end of the &quot;5-5-5&quot; scheme in work places, stressing that it is illegal. During Wednesday&#x27;s hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, Tulfo said he has received several complaints regarding this work setup. &quot;Magha-hire sila ng empleyado at dapat imbes na six months, kasi kapag six months magkakaroon ng benefits. Pagdating ng five months, sisibakin. And then ire-rehire, then another five months. And then after after that sisibakin ulit, then ire-rehire. That has been the practice of so many, especially sa service industry,&quot; Tulfo said. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/public-service/2026/3/17/dole-relaunches-online-portal-for-labor-concerns-1049">READ: DOLE rolls out revamped online portal for labor concerns</a></div>Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Benedicto Bitonio Jr. said they are aware of the scheme and there are rules disallowing this. &quot;Yun pong 5-5-5 ay hindi dapat nangyayari yun,&quot; Bitonio said. &quot;Pero kung nangyayari po ang unang intervention po ng Department of Labor and Employment kung nandodoon pa po sila ay inspection. Puwede pong makita yun sa inspection.&quot; Bitonio said employees can approach them for conciliation and mediation. They can also file a case before the National Labor Relations Commission. This, according to Tulfo, is easier said than done.&quot;Ang problema kasi sa inyong taga-DOLE, hindi kayo nag-iinspect. Kung mag-inspect man kayo, nakatakip yung mata niyo. Sinasabi ko na ito ilang beses, paglabas ng compound may bitbit na kayong envelope,&quot; the lawmaker remarked. In response, Bitonio said: &quot;Actually sa inspection process po, kailangan ay nandodoon yung, kung pumasok po ang inspector, kailangan nandodoon yung kinatawan ng employer at nandodoon din dapat ang kinatawan ng mga manggagawa at kung kinakailangan silang mag-interview, kailangan din silang umikot sa establishment.&quot;&quot;Kung mayroon po tayong mga inspector na hindi nakakagawa ng ganun, ay kailangan mayroong karampatang aksyong administrabo para sa kanila,&quot; he added.  Tulfo said DOLE should investigate all of their inspectors. According to Bitonio, they will conduct follow-up inspections to double check the assessment of an establishment. Senator Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, supported the call to end contractualization. &quot;Oras na para wakasan ang sistemang mapang-abuso at kilalanin ang halaga ng bawat uri ng manggagawa. Whether they are fighting against the unjust &#x27;endo&#x27; system for a rightful permanent position, or asking to be seen and protected under the Magna Carta of the Informal Economy, our goal is one and the same, disenteng trabaho, tamang benepisyo, at makatarungang pamumuhay para sa bawat Pilipino,&quot; the younger Tulfo told the committee.<div> </div><div>HEALTHCARE WORKERS </div>Tulfo also criticized the supposed non-payment of overtime work of some healthcare workers, &quot;Ang nangyayari kasi sa mga healthcare workers, nurses, PT, they&#x27;re asked to work 12, 15, 16 hours kasi nga kulang daw sa mga trabahador. So ngayon may overtime itong mga healthcare workers, ino-offset yung overtime in exchange doon sa bibigyan sila ng day off. Kawawa yung mga workers dito. Dapat ipagbawal yun,&quot; Tulfo said. DOLE said this practice is prohibited.&quot;Kailangan po kung nag-oovertime sa isang araw, dapat may overtime premium. Hindi dapat ikarga yung overtime niya doon sa regular na work hours niya,&quot; Bitonio responded. &quot;Or sasabihin bibigyan kita ng day off in exchange of those na-accumulate mo na overtime,&quot; Tulfo said.&quot;Circumvention po &#x27;yun,&quot; Bitonio replied.  Tulfo pointed out that there should only be a certain number of hours that healthcare workers should work.

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday called for the end of the "5-5-5" scheme in work places, stressing that it is illegal.

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday called for the end of the "5-5-5" scheme in work places, stressing that it is illegal.

Tulfo calls for end of '5-5-5' work scheme

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Tulfo calls for end of '5-5-5' work scheme

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 22, 2026 02:31 PM PHT

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Updated April 22, 2026 02:33 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Senate

5-5-5 work scheme

Raffy Tulfo

DOLE

Department of Labor and Employment

jobs

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