Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday warned that he will move to block the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) if the agency fails to improve its performance and remove erring field inspectors.
“I promise you, Sec. (Bienvenido) Laguesma, idi-defer ko ang budget niyo kapag walang nasibak na pabayang field inspector,” Tulfo declared during the Senate Committee on Labor hearing, where he serves as vice chair.
Tulfo blasted DOLE for allegedly turning a blind eye to abusive companies, saying many manufacturing firms in Metro Manila — which he personally inspected — continue to underpay workers, with some employees earning only PHP280 a day.
“Taas nga tayo ng sahod, pero kulang naman sa implementation. Para tayong naglolokohan dito,” he said.
The senator then demanded from Laguesma a list of field inspectors assigned in Metro Manila and the Camanava area, the companies they have monitored, and their corresponding performance reports, stressing that accountability must be enforced.
“Kung ginagawa ng taga-DOLE ang trabaho nila, nasapul na sana nila ang mga kumpanyang hindi nagpapasahod ng tama,” Tulfo said.
Labor Secretary Laguesma, for his part, said he takes Tulfo’s remarks seriously and assured the Senate of his commitment to act on the matter.