Senator Raffy Tulfo has raised alarm over the continued "5-5-5" scheme, which practices firing and re-hiring employees to prevent them from being regularized.

During Wednesday's Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development hearing, Tulfo called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to take stronger action against such illegal practice that he said is being used by employers to evade employee regularization and deny them benefits and job security.

Tulfo questioned DOLE in its enforcement of labor laws, pressing them "why are you allowing this to happen?"

“Talamak pa rin ang 5-5-5 scheme sa mga kumpanya, lalo na sa fast food at manufacturing industries (The 5-5-5 scheme is still widespread in companies, especially in the fast food and manufacturing industries)," the senator said.

"Ang siste, magha-hire sila ng empleyado at pagdating ng ika-limang buwan ay sisibakin ang mga ito at muling ire-rehire para hindi ma-regularize at magkaroon ng benepisyo (The system involves hiring employees and firing them once they reach their fifth month, only to rehire them later to prevent them from becoming regularized and receiving benefits)," he added.

Although DOLE Asec. Benedicto Bitonio Jr. said there are already existing rules in place that prohibit such practices, Tulfo maintained that enforcement on the ground remains insufficient.

"Ang problema sa inyong mga taga-DOLE, kung mag-inspect man kayo, nakatakip ang mga mata ninyo at paglabas ng compound may bitbit na kayong envelope (The problem with you at DOLE is that even when you do conduct inspections, your eyes are closed, and you leave the compound carrying envelopes),"he insinuated.

Tulfo also noted that inspectors often limit their engagement to company management and human resources personnel, which practically allow violations to go undetected.

"Ang nangyayari, kapag pumapasok kayo sa kumpanya, ang kinakausap niyo lang ay HR at management. Kaya kapag may violation, nakakalusot. Why not talk to the workers? (When you enter a company, you only talk to HR and management. That’s why violations slip through. Why not talk to the workers?)" he asked, urging the department to impose sanctions on erring inspectors, particularly those who fail to perform their duties diligently or who conspire to conceal illegal activities.

"Gusto ko na may ma-sampolan—either sibak o kasuhan. Only then saka titino ang ilang inspectors. Sa ngayon kasi walang napapanagot, kaya tuloy-tuloy ang mga paglabag (I want to see someone made an example of—either fired or charged. Only then will these inspectors straighten up. Right now, no one is being held accountable, so the violations continue)," he added.