PLDT challenges DOLE order to regularize over 7,000 employees

PLDT Inc. on Friday said it sought a review of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) decision affirming an earlier order for the telco giant to regularize more than 7,000 employees.

Pangilinan-led PLDT said it filed on Wednesday a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals (CA) seeking a review of DOLE’s recent decision.

DOLE said on Thursday it denied PLDT’s motion for reconsideration on the DOLE order issued January 10 directing the company to grant the employees regular work status.

“We received, through our legal counsel, the decision of the DOLE Secretary last Monday, April 30th. After studying the decision with the assistance of our legal counsel, we decided to seek a review of the decision by the Court of Appeals, "according to PLDT.

The telco noted certain aspects of the decision were “inconsistent with applicable law, jurisprudence, and the documentary and testimonial evidence” reportedly presented to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

"For this purpose, we filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals last Wednesday, May 2nd,” the company said.

The resolution Bello signed on April 24 dismissed PLDT and its 35 contractors’ appeal “for lack of merit” while the four of its contractors’ appeal were granted.

The contractors ordered to cease and desist from engaging in labor contracting were Activeone Health Inc., Aremay Enterprise, BBS-VPN Allied Services Corporation Philippines, Best Options Assistance, Inc., Comworks Inc., Consolidated Management Resources, Curo Teknika Inc., and Diar’s Assistance Inc. —Margaret Claire Layug/VDS, GMA News