It’s definite.
The local entertainment industry will lobby for the approval by the Senate this year of House Bill 4652, also known as the consolidated HB 1270 Eddie Garcia Law.
“Isa kami sa magla-lobby para maaprubahan na agad ‘yan (We will be one of the groups who will lobby the Senate to pass the measure),” exclaimed actor Rez Cortez, president of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (Mowelfund).
The bill was recently passed by the House of Representatives.
After a thorough study by Rep. Alfredo de los Santos (Ang Probinsiyano partylist) and Deputy Majority leader and Rep. Christopher de Venecia (Pangasinan, 4th District) who chairs the Committee on Creative Industry & Performing Arts and Vice-Chair, Committee on Appropriations, both led the approval of the bill.
“Sa palagay ko naman, lima na silang taga-showbiz na nasa Senado (I suppose the presence of five lawmakers from showbiz in the Senate will make a difference to uphold the measure),” said Rez in an online interview.
The five senators Cortez was referring to are Robin Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Grace Poe, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Lito Lapid who are involved in filmmaking.
“Nakausap ko na si Robin at umokey naman siya. Pati si Lito, kasama ko sa ‘Batang Quiapo,’ nakausap ko na rin at sabi niya, siya na ang bahala (I already talked to Robin and he okayed it. Even Lito who I am working with in ‘Batang Quiapo’ said he’d take care of it),” informed Rez.
Cortez plays a Muslim lead in the ABS-CBN drama series.
“Ako ang kaibigan ni Coco (Martin) sa simula pero magbabago ang pagkakaibigan namin (I am a friend of Coco in the beginning but would sing a different tune in the process),” he shared.
HB 1270 is a landmark piece of legislation in terms of its comprehensiveness and detail in the provision of protection and welfare standards for workers in the film, television, and radio industries.
“Being the filing author of HB 4652 which was consolidated and substituted by HB 1270, I can say that HB 1270 represents the collective wisdom of Congress on how to best address the occupational health, safety, and other working conditions in film, TV, and radio in a sustainable way that works for both the workers and the employers.
“As a probinsyano (parochial) fan of Philippine movies, television, and radio, I am elated that the Philippines is at the stage of its economic, social, and political development where it can give the workers a significant part of what is due them for all their hard work and sacrifices,” said de los Santos.
Meanwhile, de Vencia noted:
“Fortunately, Speaker Martin Romualdez and the House leadership team resolved to expedite the process this time around by picking the bill up from where it left off, so there will be more time for it to go through the legislative pipeline sooner and at a better pace.
“Salient features or provisions carried over from the bill’s earlier version include required provisions of work contracts, hours of work of 8 to 12 hours, inclusion of waiting time in hours of work, inclusion of travel time to and from out-of-town locations in compensable time, and rest period.
“The Eddie Garcia bill also has provisions on the application of minimum wage laws, provision of SSS, PAG-IBIG, and PhilHealth benefits, standard of care, basic necessities, health and safety, employment of minors, insurance, right to organize and collective bargaining, intellectual property rights, and a ban against the cabo system.
“Progress made on the bill now is good timing because it will add momentum to the recovery of the film, television, and radio industries as the national economy loosens up from the many restrictions imposed during the COVID pandemic state of calamity.
“Our hope is that the Eddie Garcia bill makes it to the desk of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for his signature within this Year 2023 so that full implementation ensures in January 2024.”