Practice question
An inspector finds unpaid statutory wages owed to current employees, each exceeding PHP 5,000. The employer objects solely because of that amount. Assume all Article 128 requisites are otherwise met. What follows?
- Article 128 always stops at PHP 5,000.
- The inspector must disregard every wage finding.
- Every inspection automatically becomes a criminal trial.
- The amount alone does not defeat the amended Article 128 enforcement authority.
- Only the employees’ union may investigate.
Legal references
- Labor Code, DOLE consolidated 2022 edition, Articles 219, 258–260, 262–264, 274 and 278–279: https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/15242/PHL15242%202022.pdf; Article 128.
- DOLE Department Order No. 238, series of 2023, original order text reproduced at Labor Law PH Library, Rules III, VIII–IX: https://library.laborlaw.ph/dole-department-order-no-238-series-of-2023/
- DOLE official issuance notice, DO 238-23, April 13, 2023: https://dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-no-238-23-rules-on-the-administration-and-enforcement-of-labor-standards-pursuant-to-article-128-of-the-labor-code-of-the-philippines-as-renumbered-and-republic-act-no.-11058/
- Manggagawa sa Komunikasyon ng Pilipinas v PLDT, G.R. Nos. 244695, 244752 and 245294, February 14, 2024, main decision, Article 128 authority and evidentiary limits: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2024/feb2024/gr_244695_2024.html
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