Estrada warns violators of Eddie Garcia Law

SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada warned television and movie production outfits against violating the Eddie Garcia Law amid reports that some still conduct 20 to 22 hours of shooting.

In a statement on Monday, Estrada said the long shooting hours were «a blatant violation» of Section 9 of Republic Act (RA) 11996. The TV and cinema production firms could be held liable pending the issuance of the law's Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

He said the law was clear that workers in the entertainment industry should work only eight to 14 hours daily.

SEN. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada. Contributed Photo

«Anyone who violates the provisions of the Eddie Garcia law would be fined from P100,000 up to half a million pesos,» said Estrada, who pushed for the passage in the Senate of RA 11996.

A former action star, he learned that some production executives claimed that RA 11996 is not yet enforceable due to the lack of an IRR. The measure was signed into law last May 24.

«The hours of work shall be eight hours a day, which can be extended to a maximum of fourteen, exclusive of meal periods. In no case shall the total number of work hours be more than 60 hours a week,» he said.

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«They cannot circumvent the law by claiming that the Eddie Garcia law cannot be enforced without an IRR. This is untenable,» Estrada said.