Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino issued a stern reminder on Tuesday, demanding that foreign workers and their local employers secure the mandatory labor permits before starting any employment in the Philippines.
The warning coincided with an ongoing Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) investigation into the employment status of Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball head coach Tab Baldwin.
In a press briefing, Tolentino clarified the distinct legal differences between an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and an Alien Employment Permit (AEP), noting that residency does not automatically grant the right to work.
“When you have the ACR, you’re allowed to reside in the Philippines. When you have the AEP, you’re allowed to work. That’s the difference,” Tolentino explained.
The Labor chief warned that working without a valid AEP constitutes a serious legal violation that exposes both the foreign national and the hiring institution to severe statutory penalties.
“There would be legal consequences… For instance, deportation is one of them. But under the rules of DOLE, before deportation, you have to serve a jail term of three months to three years,” Tolentino warned.
Additionally, Tolentino urged universities and schools to strictly monitor their foreign personnel, ensuring their professional activities do not breach legal boundaries or extend beyond their authorized institutional roles.
“I think they should be concerned about the scope of the employer-employee relationship, the status of the employee, involved work outside the campus… they should limit themselves to the four corners of the employment contract,” he said.
According to Tolentino, the scrutiny surrounding Baldwin highlights the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration and labor laws to maintain regulatory integrity across all sectors.
As the administrative probe continues, Baldwin’s legal counsel has been given until June 25 to submit a verified response and present the necessary paperwork ahead of a formal DOLE hearing slated for June 29.