Ex-worker sues Eat Bulaga producer

MANILA, Philippines—An ex-technical staff member of an outfit producing a popular noontime show has filed a complaint against its officials for violation of the Social Security Act and other laws.

In an affidavit before the Quezon City prosecutors office, Ramil Cirujano filed a case against Television and Production Exponent Inc. officials, producer of “Eat Bulaga” on GMA 7.

Named as respondents in the case were TAPE president Antonio Tuviera, senior vice president for administration Leslie Dioniso, senior vice president for finance Zenaida Buenavista, and other officials.

Cirujano, who claimed to have worked for several years as an audio man for “Eat Bulaga,” alleged that the respondents violated provisions of Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Act and RA 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act.

In a complaint filed this week, Cirujano claimed he was fired from his job after he was unable to attend dry runs for the show in May 2009.

The complainant said his work as an audio man included testing audio equipment before any show, and to make sure that the personalities on stage always had enough audio equipment.

Cirujano claimed that he was not issued an appointment paper or a contract of employment, and that he asked to be given regularization papers.

He said in May 2009, memoranda were posted on office bulletin boards directing all personnel of the Engineering Department to stay after the show to attend dry runs.

“Sensing that I am not included in the memo, I did not attend all the dry runs but to my surprise, I was issued a memorandum of reprimand on May 27,” the complaint read.

The complainant said he was asked to explain his absence in the dry runs and that he also attended two administrative hearings along with other employees on several occasions.

Cirujano said he received a memorandum terminating him as an employee of the company in August 2009.

In the memorandum, the management said it did not find Cirujano’s explanations satisfactory as the memorandum pointed out that Cirujano did not give categorical reasons for his absences.

It added that Cirujano committed willful disobedience of the company’s orders.

But the former employee claimed that based on the chronology of events until his termination, “the mode upon which termination was conducted is indicative that I am a regular employee.”

He alleged that TAPE failed to enroll him in Philhealth and the Pag Ibig Fund. Cirujano also alleged that the company “continuously ignored our right to become regular employees which is violative of the Social Security Act.” –Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer