Friends of Free Workers

31/05/2026

Kasalukuyang nasa taping ng Abogado kasama sina Jemino, Toledo, at Del Rosario sa studio ng Bilyonaryo TV — kung saan matatalas ang mga tanong, maliwanag ang ilaw, at sana’y mas handa ang mga abogado kaysa sa kanilang makeup.

28/05/2026

While welcoming Tolentino, FFW said that labor governance requires a deep understanding of workers’ realities, especially amid challenges such as inflation, contractualization, digital platform work, artificial intelligence disruptions, and job insecurity.

The federation said it expects Tolentino to bring fresh energy and commitment to DOLE, emphasizing that industrial peace and social justice depend on strong cooperation among labor, employers and governme

MAJOR labor groups on Tuesday urged new Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino to act immediately on long-standing worker demands, including higher wages, job security, and stronger labor rights protections.

27/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DGXtsxP6T/?mibextid=wwXIfr

27/05/2026

In a letter to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, the Nagkaisa labor coalition said allowing online or remote voting would “effectively normalize the continued evasion of lawful arrest or physical absence from official duties by public officials facing serious criminal accusations.”

Senators praying during May 26, 2026 plenary session. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA MANILA, Philippines -- A coalition of labor groups on Wednesday said it strongly objects to proposals that

27/05/2026

🎙️🔊 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙄𝙂 𝙉𝙂 𝙎𝙀𝙆𝙏𝙊𝙍

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: NAPC-FLMWSC HAILS HISTORIC ICJ ADVISORY OPINION AFFIRMING THE RIGHT TO STRIKE UNDER ILO CONVENTION NO. 87

The National Anti-Poverty Commission – Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Sectoral Council (NAPC-FLMWSC) warmly welcome and strongly praises the historic advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 21 May 2026 affirming that the right to strike is protected under the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise.

The issue arose from a long-standing dispute within the ILO between workers’ groups and employers’ groups regarding whether Convention No. 87 implicitly guarantees the right to strike. While the Convention does not expressly mention the word “strike,” the ILO Committee of Experts had consistently interpreted freedom of association as necessarily including the right of workers to undertake strike action. Employers’ representatives challenged this interpretation, leading the ILO Governing Body in 2023 to formally request an advisory opinion from the ICJ.

According to Sectoral Representative Danilo Laserna, “this landmark pronouncement is a monumental victory for workers and trade unions across the globe.” “It firmly recognizes that the right to strike is an essential component of freedom of association and collective action, and that workers cannot genuinely defend their economic and social interests without the ability to collectively withhold their labor,” he added.

For decades, workers’ organizations worldwide have consistently asserted that the right to strike is inseparable from democratic labor rights and social justice. The ICJ’s advisory opinion finally settles longstanding attempts to weaken or undermine this fundamental right under international labor standards.

The NAPC-FLMWSC stands in solidarity with workers and trade unions worldwide in celebrating this historic triumph for labor rights and democracy. We also acknowledge the efforts taken by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on this momentous victory.

Know more: https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/ilo-receives-international-court-justice-advisory-opinion-convention-no-87

26/05/2026

Atty. Matula’s interview will Alvin on The appointment of DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino

Umaasa si Nagkaisa Labor Coalition Chairperson Atty. Sonny Matula na bibigyan ng ‘bagong dugo’ ng bagong talagang DOLE secretary na si ex-Sen. Francis Tolent...

21/05/2026

Right to Strike Protected Under ILO Convention 87

Nagagalak at malugod na tinatanggap ng FFW ang advisory opinion ng International Court of Justice (ICJ) na kumikilala sa karapatang magwelga bilang protektadong karapatan sa ilalim ng ILO Convention No. 87.

Noong 2023

Sa Pilipinas, hindi ito banyagang konsepto. Tahasang kinikilala ng Article XIII, Section 3 ng Konstitusyon ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa sa pag-uunyon, collective bargaining, at mapayapang concerted activities, kabilang ang karapatang magwelga alinsunod sa batas.

Ang welga ang huling tinig ng paggawa kapag bigo na ang dayalogo. Kung walang karapatang magwelga, masasabi nating: ang freedom of association ay parang kampanang walang tunog, di maririnig.

The Opinion concerns a long-standing difference of views as to whether the right to strike of workers and their organizations is protected under the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87).

21/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B9bzAmjwQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

19/05/2026

I agree with former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Tony Carpio.

I also subscribe more to a “living Constitution” approach rather than a rigidly frozen reading of constitutional text.

Tutukan natin ang Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution:

> “No warrant shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge…”

May warrant ba?

There are two ways of looking at it.

1. The strict textualist view — likely the line of Duterte and Bato’s lawyers:

(a) “Judge” means a judge of Philippine courts exercising judicial power under Article VIII of the Constitution; and
(b) therefore, an ICC judge falls outside the Philippine constitutional framework.

2. But here is my counterargument, substantially aligned with Justice Carpio’s thinking and a living-Constitution approach:

(a) The Constitution does not expressly say “Philippine judge.”

(b) The constitutional evil sought to be avoided is arbitrary arrest by executive officers.

(c) An ICC warrant is likewise issued by an independent judicial officer after personal evaluation of evidence and probable cause.

(d) Under Article II, Section 2, generally accepted principles of international law form part of the law of the land.

Crimes against humanity are erga omnes offenses—wrongs against humanity itself. They implicate obligations owed not only to one state, but to all humankind.

Section 17 of RA 9851 itself recognizes cooperation with “international tribunals.” Filipinos have even served as judges of the ICC.

Under a living-Constitution approach, constitutional language is read not as trapped in 1987, but as capable of responding to evolving legal realities, institutions, and international obligations—while still protecting fundamental liberties.

The Constitution is not a museum piece preserved in formaldehyde. It is a charter meant to govern a living society in an interconnected world.

Atty. Sonny Matula, FFW President

Former SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio explains the concept of "universal jurisdiction" over crimes against humanity, dismissing claims that a local warrant is needed first.