Labor Law Made Easy

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

A lot of employers, business leaders, HR professionals and payroll administrators in NCR have been asking me for advice on what to do or how to act given that the TRO issued by RTC Pasig has been extended.

My short answer has always been:

“Let’s wait for the official DOLE advisory since this is a very peculiar circumstance.”

While it’s true that the Labor Code explicitly prohibits any TRO from being issued by regular courts against any wage order, the Rule of Law allows any law to be properly challenged for its constitutionality through a judicial review.

“Laws are not set in stone.”

Thankfully, our labor leaders have come to terms with this legal maxim. Otherwise, there will be widespread industrial unrest. We are in the middle of a national economic and political crisis.

Based on the latest update, DOLE has intervened and filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Pasig RTC.

Bottom line, it hasn’t issued any official advisory for the guidance of NCR employers.

So continuing with my advice:

In the absence of any official DOLE advisory, NCR employers have several (main) options.

First, comply with the wage order despite the extended TRO.

Second, rollback the wage increase, if such was already implemented, subject to the outcome of the case and any future DOLE advisory.

Third, if it hasn’t yet been implemented, comply with the TRO, and hold any increase while awaiting the outcome of the Motion for Reconsideration and any future DOLE advisory on the matter.

Each of these options have their pros and cons. But I submit that these options are all legally permissible under the circumstances, provided that they are adopted properly and carefully by employers (especially the rollback).

At the end of the day, it’s the judgment call of each employer which is the best course of action for their companies and employees. Situations vary. Needs differ. Sentiments are not the same. One size doesn’t fit all.

What I do strongly recommend is to have an honest and open dialogue between the management and the workers and their unions. Discuss, empathize with each others concerns, and put any agreement in writing.

When legalities are uncertain, I always point to the Law on Human Relations as my North Star:

"Every person must,
in the exercise of his rights and
in the performance of his duties,
act with justice,
give everyone his due,
and observe honesty
and good faith."

(Article 19 of the Civil Code of the Philippines)

It is the foundational rule for human relations.

Atty. Pol Sangalang
Labor Law Coach

Sa dayalogo kasama ang NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition, pinuri ni SENTRO Secretary General Josua Mata ang personal na pagpunta ni Secretary Francis N. Tolentino sa Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 upang ihain ang Motion for Reconsideration.

Aniya, nagpapakita ito ng matatag na suporta ng DOLE sa mga manggagawa at nagbibigay ng mensahe na may kakampi ang labor sector sa pamunuan ng Kagawaran.

17/08/2026

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14/08/2026

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30/05/2026

Our FREE Labor Law Educational AI Assistant is BACK ONLINE again! 👍🎉🙌🍾

Ask Atty PoL — Labor Law Made Easy®

It’s our custom GPT (educational AI tool) developed under OpenAI (ChatGPT) platform.

It is created, designed, customized and copyrighted by Atty. Pol Sangalang based on his human intellectual strategy, legal expertise, professional experience, brand identity, and instructional framework. All rights reserved.

“Labor Law Made Easy®” is a registered service mark of Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers.

Here's a shortcut link:
https://bit.ly/laborlawme

DISCLAIMERS:

1. It’s not legal advice; it’s only for general labor law education and information.

2. For case specific concerns, please consult a lawyer (preferably our law firm).

3. Our law firm is not collecting, processing or controlling any personal or confidential information of its users.

4. It’s still a work-in-progress; it can commit mistakes. Please verify its sources.

5. It's currently FREE and not for re-sale.

20/05/2026

The link is down.

We’re trying to fix it.

Here’s the direct link.

Try to paste it on your ChatGPT account.

Hope it works.

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-68f9891736748191915a461decd346c0-ask-atty-pol-labor-law-made-easy-r

Please bear with us.

ChatGPT helps you get answers, find inspiration, and be more productive.

13/05/2026

REGISTER NOW!

Topic: Managing Labor Issues and Cases
Date: June 20, 2026, Saturday
Time: 10:00AM to 12:00NN
Venue: ONLINE via ZOOM

CONTENT:
1. Introduction
1.1 Management and Employee Rights
1.2 SeNA and NLRC
2. What are classified as Infractions or Violation
2.1 Labor Code
2.2 Company Code of Discipline
2.3 Employment Contracts
2.4 Damages to the company
3. Due Process
3.1 Incident Report
3.2 Notice to Explain (NTE)
3.2.1 Requirement
3.2.2 Non-Acceptance
3.3 Hearing
3.3.1 Further inquiry and investigation
3.3.2 In Aid of Legislation
3.4 Notice of Decision (NOD)
3.4.1 Requirement
3.4.2 Non-Acceptance
4. SeNA and NLRC
4.1 Common SeNA Cases
4.2 Reminders and requirements

To register, click the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyCw_7_Rue7yqrisGmVpOftR6QMQzNfrn5n14vcHFLG6ZECQ/viewform?usp=header

02/05/2026