Executive Order No. 97

MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 97, September 19, 2025 ] ADOPTING THE OMNIBUS GUIDELINES ON THE EXERCISE OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND CIVIL LIBERTIES WHEREAS, Section 8, Article III of the Constitution provides that the rights of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged; WHEREAS, Section 3, Article XIII of the Constitution guarantees the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, and negotiations, as well as peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law; WHEREAS, Article 3, Chapter I of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 442 or the "Labor Code of the Philippines," as amended, provides that the State shall: (i) afford protection to labor, promote full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex, race or creed and regulate the relations between workers and employers; and (ii) assure the rights of workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, security of tenure, and just and humane conditions of work; WHEREAS, at the 108th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in June 2019, the International Labour Organization (ILO) established a High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) to assist the Philippine Government in addressing reported incidents of violence, red-tagging, and suppression of trade union rights, and to recommend immediate and effective actions in the following areas: (i) prevention of violence related to legitimate union activities; (ii) investigation and accountability for acts of violence against union members; (iii) operationalization of monitoring bodies; and (iv) assurance that all workers, without distinction, can freely form and join organizations of their choosing, in accordance with ILO Convention No. 87; WHEREAS, to implement the HLTM's recommendations, Executive Order (EO) No. 23 (s.

2023) created the inter-Agency Committee for the Protection of the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers ("Inter-Agency Committee") to: (i) take all necessary measures to address the four (4) identified areas of concern; and (ii) promote and safeguard workers rights to freedom of association, self-organization, and collective bargaining, with full regard for human, civil, political, economic, and social rights and liberties; WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Committee, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), issued Joint Memorandum Order (JMO) No. 1 (s. 2024) or the "Omnibus Guidelines on the Exercise of Freedom of Association and Civil Liberties" to govern the conduct of all stakeholders in promoting the effective exercise by private sector workers of their freedom of association and civil liberties; and WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all Executive departments, bureaus and offices, and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order: Section 1. Adoption of JMO No. 1 (s. 2024). JMO No. 1, annexed to this Order, is hereby adopted. For this purpose, the following agencies and instrumentalities are hereby directed to implement JMO No. 1, consistent with their relevant mandates under existing laws, rules and regulations: a. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); b. Department of the Interior and Local Government; c. Department of Justice; d. Department of National Defense; e. Department of Trade and Industry, including Investment Promotion Agencies; f. AFP, including Citizen Armed Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliaries and Special CAFGU Active Auxiliaries; g. Philippine National Police, including its Supervisory Offic

e for Security and Investigation Agencies; h. National Security Council, including NTF-ELCAC; and i. Other Security Personnel, as defined in JMO No. 1. 7!ᕼdMᗄ7 Section 2. Other Directives. To ensure effective implementation of JMO No. 1 across all concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, the following directives are hereby ordered, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations: a. All concerned agencies and instrumentalities shall integrate JMO No. 1 into their respective policies, training programs, operations manuals, and information and education materials; b. The DOLE, through the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, shall monitor the implementation and compliance of concerned agencies, and coordinate with the Inter-Agency Committee for periodic review and adjustments; and c. The Inter-Agency Committee shall provide regular reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, within six (6) months from the implementation of the EO, and every year thereafter. Section 3. Amendment of the Omnibus Guidelines. The Inter-Agency Committee may amend or supplement the Omnibus Guidelines as may be necessary for the effective implementation thereof, provided that such amendments shall remain consistent with the intent and policy framework of this Order. Section 4. Convergence. All concerned government departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local govenrment units and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to render full support to and cooperation in support of the implementation of this Order. Section 5. Funding. The funding requirements for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against current and available appropriations of concerned agencies, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued i

mplementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposals of said agencies, subject to usual budget preparation process. Section 6. Separability. If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. Section 7. Repeal. All other orders, guidelines, rules, regulations, and issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Section 8. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. DONE, in the City of Manila, this 19th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five. (Sgd.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. By the President: (Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Executive Secretary DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY ARMED FORCED OF THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT JOINT MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 1 Series of 2024 SUBJECT: OMNIBUS GUIDELINES ON THE EXERCISE OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND CIVIL LIBERTIES These Guidelines govern the conduct of all stakeholders in promoting the effective exercise by private sector workers of their freedom of association and civil liberties; their rights to organize and to collectively bargain, including the right to strike or lockout and to engage in lawful concerted actions as well as in public assemblies whether or not arising from or connected with a labor dispute, in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations. For purposes of these Guidelines, stakeholders shall include the following: 1. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); 2. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), including local government un

its (LGUs); 3. Department of Justice (DOJ); 4. Department of National Defense (DND); 5. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), including investment promotion agencies (IPAs); 6. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) and Special CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (SCAAs); 7. Philippine National Police (PNP), including its Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA); 8. National Security Council (NSC), including National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC); 9. Other Security Personnel, as define herein; and 10. Workers and Employers in the Private Sector. The abovementioned stakeholders commit to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the following laws, implementing rules and regulations, and administrative issuances: (a) Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended; (b) Batas Pambansa 880 (An Act Ensuring the Free Exercise by the People of their Right Peaceably to Assemble and Petition the Government for other Purposes); (c) Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of the Philippines); (d) Republic Act No. 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020); (e) Presidential Memorandum Order No. 393, s. 1991 (Directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to Reaffirm their Adherence to the Principles of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in the Conduct of Security/Police Operations); (f) Joint Circular No. 2-91, s.1991 (Directing the AFP and the PNP to Reaffirm their Adherence to the Principles of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in the Conduct of Security/Police Operations); (g) Administrative Order No. 35, s. 2012 (Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of Persons); (h) Executive Order No. 70, s. 2018 (Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating

a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of a National Peace Framework); (i) DOJ Department Order No. 009, s. 2023 (Clarification on the Rules Requiring Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Clearance in the Filing of Criminal Complaints Involving Workres and Harmonizing Section 4.7.4 (B), Chapter IV of the 2017 Revised Manual for Prosecutors with the Guidelines on the Conduct of the DOLE, DILG, DND, DOJ, AFP and PNP Relative to the Exercise of Workers' Rights and Activities); (j) Executive Order No. 23, s. 2023 (Reinforcing and Protecting the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers, Constituting an Inter-Agency Committee to Strengthen Coordination and Expedite the Investigation, Prosecution, and Resolution of Cases for Violations Thereof, Among Others); (k) DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-102, s. 2023 (Reinforcing and Protecting the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers); and A.M. No. 22-02-19-SC (Rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Related Laws). The abovementioned stakeholders shall also observe the applicable principles of international law and conventions which form part of the law of the land, particularly the following: i. United Nations Universal Declarations of Human Rights (CDHR); ii, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); iii. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); iv. ILO Protocols and Recommendations and International Labor Standards, in particular ILO Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize (No. 87) and ILO Convention on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining (No. 98); v. International Humanitarian Law (IHL); and vi. ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment (No. 190) I. GENERAL POLICY Workers and employers have the right to life, liberty, and property and to freely express their political opinions in accordance with law. These civil liberties guarantee the

meaningful exercise by workers and employers of their right to be free from violence pressure or threats of any kind. The State is primarily responsible in guaranteeing respect and protection of civil and political liberties as well as economic and social rights, including freedom of association. The State, and all workers' and employers' organizations have the shared responsibility of ensuring an enabling environment for exercising the freedom of association and the right to organize. Freedom of association and the right to organize are part of human rights and are essential foundations of a democratic society. The right to form and to join unions for the promotion and protection of one's interest is guaranteed under Article III, Section 8 and Article XIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution; Book V of the Labor Code; Article 2 of ILO convention 97; Article 23 of the UDHR; Article 22 of the ICCPR; and Article 8 of the ICESCR. In order to ensure observance of workers' rights in the private sector, the roles and responsibilities of the agencies under these Guidelines in relation to the promotion and protection of freedom of association and the right to organize are hereby reaffirmed, as follows: 1. Administration and enforcement of labor laws and resolution of labor disputes, particularly those related to freedom of association and the rights to organize and to bargain collectively, are within the sole jurisdiction of the DOLE and its attached agencies, pursuant to the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, and Book IV, Title VII of the Administrative Code of 1987. The DOLE is the sole agency responsible for labor education involving workers and employers in the private sector; 2. The exercise of the general supervision over local governments and the mandate of ensuring autonomy, decentralization and community empowerment is within the sole jurisdiction of the DILG pursuant to Book IV, Title XII of the Administrative Code of 1987. Matters involving peace and ord

er and law enforcement are under the jurisdiction of the DILG through the PNP pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6975, "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990", as amended by Republic Act No. 8551, "Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998"; 3. Maintenance of peace and order within economic zone or freeport area is lodged with the concerned IPAs, in accordance with their mandate or charter; 4. Guarding against external and internal threats to national peace and security, and providing support for social and economic development shall be within the jurisdiction of the DND pursuant to Section 15, Chapter I, Subtitle II, Title VIII, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987; 5. Under the supervision and control of the DND, protection of the people and the State, and securing the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory are under the jurisdiction of the AFP pursuant to Article II, Section 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; 6. Coordination in the formulation of policies relating to or with implications on national security is under the authority of the National Security Council pursuant to Section 3, Chapter 2, Subtitle I, Title VIII, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987; 7. Prosecution of cases arising out or related to a labor dispute shall be within the jurisdiction of the DOJ as the prosecution arm of the government, pursuant to Book IV, Title VIII of the Administrative Code of 1987, subject to prior clearance from the DOLE and/or Office of the President and as provided for in DOJ Circular No. 15, Series of 1982, and DOJ Circular No. 9, Series of 1986, and DOJ Department Circular No. 009, Series of 2023; and 8. Consistent with the mandates of the aforementioned agencies, coordination of activities to implement the Whole-of-Nation approach in defeating the local community terrorist group and attaining inclusive and sustainable peace throughout the Philippines under the authorit

y of the NTF-ELCAC pursuant to Executive Order No. 70. Through intra- and inter-agency coordination, all concerned agencies and stakeholders shall at all times strictly adhere to the principles and protocols embodied in these Guidelines. No agency or stakeholders shall engage in labelling of workers, union members, trade unions or organizations. All stakeholders shall llikewise ensure the effective dissemination and implementation of these Guidelines through, among others, the development of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, inclusion of the Guidelines in the appropriate training curricula for their personnel or members; and its integration in the operational manuals of the respective agencies. Where there is an allegation or violation of freedom of association, the right to organize or any of the principles and protocols embodies in these Guidelines, the agency or stakeholders concerned has the obligation to investigate the same and undertake the appropriate remedial measures to hold the responsible personnel accountable in accordance woth pertinent laws and administrative regulations. II. PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE The freedom of association of workers and employers as well as its lawful exercise shall be promoted, respected, and protected at all times. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged (Article III, Section 8 of the Constitution). Freedom of association includes the following constitute rights and elements: 1. The right of workers and employers, without distinction whatsoever, to establish and, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, to join organizations of their own choosing without previous authorization. Public authorities shall refrain from any interference which would restrict this right or impede the lawful exercise the

reof (Article 2 and 3.2 of ILO Convention 87); 2. The right of workers' and employers' organizations to establish and join federations and confederations and the right of any such organization, federation or confederations, and the right of any such organization, federation or confederation to affiliate with international organization of workers and employers (Article 5 of ILO Convention 87); 3. The right to life and personal safety, including the right of workers' and employers' organizations to carry out their activities in full freedom in accordance with labor and other related laws, and to be protected from threats of or actual violence committed by persons or organizations opposed to their legitimate activities; 4. Freedom and security from arbitrary arrest and detention, including the right of persons and their properties or effects from unreasonable or unlawful searches or seizures without due process of law; 5. Freedom of opinion and expression, including the right of every worker and employer to freely and publicly express his/her personal opinions, orally or in writing, on matters affecting his/her rights; and 6. Freedom of assembly, including the right of workers' and employers' organizations to engage in peaceful concerted actions in accordance with law and with international labor standards. ᇈWᑭHIL III. SCOPE AND COVERAGE These Guidelines consolidate and supersede the Joint DOLE-PNP-PEZA Guidelines in the Conduct of PNP Personnel, Economic Zone Police and Security Guards, Company Security Guards and Similar Personnel During Labor Disputes issued on 23 May 2011, and the Guidelines on the Conduct of the DOLE, DOLG, DND, DOJ, AFP and PNP Relative to the Exercise of Workers' Rights and Activities issued on 07 May 2012. These Guidelines updates and streamlines the functions and responsibilities of stakeholders for efficient and effective coordination and common understanding in the administration and enforcement of labor laws, implementation of labor educati

on, maintenance of peace and order, prosecution of cases, and securing sovereignty and the integrity of the national territory, in accordance with their respective mandates, programs and services. These Guidelines shall continue to be binding and effective regardless of any changes in the agency administration or leadership. IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS 1. Actual Violence - refers to an ongoing and intentional use of physical force or power against persons or a group or community of persons that results or is likely to result in injury or death, or destruction or damage to property, or both. 2. Areas of Operations - refers to geographical areas assigned to unit commanders of the PNP and AFP over which they have responsibility and in which they have authority to conduct police or military operations. 3. Certification Election - means the process of determining, through secret ballot, the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of the the employees in an appropriate bargaining unit for purposes of collective bargaining. 4. Concerted Actions - refer to activities undertaken by two or more persons arising from a labor dispute or from the exercise of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms in accordance with law. 5. Counter-insurgency - refers to comprehensive civilian and military efforts, strategies, plans and programs undertaken to address insurgency and its root causes and to halt or extinguish an organized movement aimed at the overthrow of a duly constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict. 6. Freedom of association - refers to the right of workers and employers to form or join an organization of their own choosing, without prior authorization, to collectively protect and promote their economic and social interests. 7. Harassment - refers to a range of unacceptable behaviors and practices, or threats thereof, whether a single occurrence or repeated, that aim at, result or likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic har

m, and includes gender-based violence harassment. 8. Investment promotion agency (IPA) - refers to a government entity overseeing the operations of different economic zones and freeports in accordance with their special laws. This includes the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZCSEZA), Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Tourism Infrfastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and all other similar existing authorities or thay may be created by law unless otherwise specifically exempted from the coverage of this Omnibus Guidelines. 9. Labelling - refers to the act of accusing, denouncing, attacking or persecuting any individual or organization as a communist, terrorist, or symphatizer without legal basis and due process of law. 10. Labor Dispute - refers to any controversy or matter concerning terms and conditions of employment or the association or representation of persons in negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing or arranging the terms and conditions of employment, regardless of whether the disputants stand in the proximate relation of employer and employee. 11. Labor Education - refers to the teaching of basic knowledge on labor rights and other skills relating to negotiation, labor-management relations, labor disputes resolution and other labor and employment related concerns. 12. Labor Organization - means any union or association of employees which exist in whole or in part for the purpose of collective bargaining or of dealing with employers concerning terms and conditions of employment. 13. Legitimate Labor Organization - refers to any

labor organization in the private sector registered or reported with the DOLE. 14. Legitimate Workers' Association - means an association of workers organized for the mutual aid and protection of its members or for any legitimate purpose other than collective bargaining, registered with the DOLE. 15. Lockout - means the temporary refusal of an employer to provide work as a result of an industrial or labor dispute. 16. Maximum Tolerance - means the highest degree of restraint that the military, police, and other peace-keeping authorities shall observe during a public assembly or in the dispersal of the same. 17. Militarization - to purposes of these Guidelines, it refers to military or police intrusion, involvement or presence in a workplace or in trade union campaigns. 18. Military/Police Operation - refers to planned activities undertaken independently of or in coordination with civilian entities to accomplish a military or police mission. 19. Picketing - means the right of workers to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and concerted actions consisting of the marching to and from before the premises of an establishment involved in a labor dispute, generally accompanied by the carrying and display of signs, placards or banners with statements relating to the dispute, in accordance with law. 20. Public assembly - means any rally, demonstration, march, parade, procession or any other form of mass or concerted action, other than picketing and other concerted action in strike areas by workers resulting from a labor dispute, held in a public place for the purpose of presenting a lawful cause; or for the expression of an opinion to the general public on any particular issue; or for the protesting or influencing any state of affairs whether political, economic or social; or for petitioning the government for redress of grievances in accordance with law. (Section 3, BP Blg. 880, October 22, 1985) For this purpose, a public place shall include any highway, boulevard, a

venue, road, street, bridge or other thoroughfare, park, plaza, square, and/or any open space of public ownership where people are allowed access. 21. Regional Office - refers to the office of the DOLE at the administrative regional level. 22. Security situation - refers to a condition or position with respect to the degree of protection against any danger, damage, loss and crime. 23. Strict Neutrality - refers to the approach that law enforcement officers, police officers, security personnel and other peace-keeping authorities shall observe in responding to a request for assistance which requires responding officers to consider the positions of all parties involved without favor, and avoiding the manifestation of any preference, whether overt or latent. 24. Other Security Personnel - includes the following: a. Barangay Tanod/Barangay Public Safety Office (SPO); b. IPA Police which refers to an employee of an IPA clothed with police authority responsible for ensuring peace and order as well as enforcement of laws, and rules and regulations inside an economic zone or freeport area; c. IPA Security Guard, who is a security guard of a licensed private security agency contracted by an IPA, and deployed to an economic zone or freeport area; d. Private security guard or security officer, either directly hired or posted by a licensed private security agency, contracted to provide security services for a company or locator in an economic zone or freeport area. 25. Strike - means any temporary stoppage of work by the concerted action of the employees as a result of an industrial or labor dispute. 26. Strike-bound Area - refers to the 50-meter radius from the establishment, warehouse, depot, plant or office, including any site or premises used as runaway shop of the employer struck against, as well as the immediate vicinity actually used by striking or picketing workers in moving to and from all points of entrance or exit of said establishment, warehouse, depot, plant or offi

ce. 27. Public Assembly-bound Area - refers to at least one hundred (100) meter radius from the area of activity when the public assembly is being held. (Section 9, BP Blg.800). 28. Workplace - includes the worksite, office or premises where a worker is temporarily or habitually assigned. Where there is no fixed or definite workplace, the term shall include the place where the worker actually performs regular work, or where h/she regularly reports to render service or to take an assignment. It includes an alternative workplace where work, through the use of telecommunication and/or computer technology, is performed at a location away from the principal business of the employer including but not limited to the employee's residence, co-working spaces, and other places that allow for mobile working. V. CONDUCT OF THE DOLE RELATIVE TO THE EXERCISE OF WORKERS' FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, CONCERTED ACTIONS AND OTHER TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES 1. It is the policy of the State to promote free and responsible trade unionism as an instrument to achieve sound, dynamic and stable industrial peace, to enhance democracy, and to promote social justice. Toward this objective, the State shall encourage a truly democratic method of regulating the relations between the employers and employees by means of agreements freely entered into by them through collective bargaining. 2. The DOLE and its attached agencies have the mandate of implementing and executing policies, laws, regulations and programs on the promotion and maintenance of industrial, peace, fundamental principles and rights at work, including freedom of association, labor education, workers' participation in policy and decision-making processes, labor-management cooperation, trade unionism, collective bargaining, and social dialogue and tripartism, as principally found in the Constitution, the Labor Code and its implementing rules, and relevant ILO Conventions. 3. Any request that may be

received by DOLE and its attached agencies for resource persons orientations or seminars outside of its mandate and jurisdiction shall be referred to the proper agency for appropriate action. 4. In accordance with the principle of shared responsibility between workers and employers and the policy preference of resorting to voluntary and consensual modes of dispute resolution, the following sequential principles are hereby reiterated: (i) workers and employers share the primary responsibility of preventing or settling their differences at the enterprise level through dialogue, negotiation and use of available grievance mechanisms; (ii) State involvement in labor dispute resolution shall first be undertaken through facilitative means such as provision of information, conciliation and mediation, and (iii) where the controversy or dispute remains unresolved, the same shall be referred to arbitration, albeit preferably by way of voluntary arbitration. 5. Whenever the nature or gravity of an imminent or actual strike, picket, lockout ot other concerted action is such that it poses a high probability of threatening public peace, order and security, the DOLE may convene the heads or representatives of the concerned local government unit, IPA, PNP or AFP unit, other security units, and the local tripartite peace council, take the lead in opening and maintaining lines of communication between them and in exploring and coordinating all avenues necessary and feasible to peacefully settle the differences between disputing parties, and secure the commitment of all stakeholders in respecting each other's rights and obligations and in resolving the threat to public peace, order and security. 6. Whenever there is a strike, picket, lockout or other concerted action arising out of any labor dispute, the DOLE shall remain in the vicinity of the strike, picket or lockout area to ensure the observance of these Guidelines, until such time that a peaceful situation is ensured with the par

ties' agreement. 7. Any request for assistance from the local chief executives, IPAs, workers and employers during a labor dispute shall be coursed through the DOLE. In case of actual strike, picket, or lockout, the DOLE and/or its attached labor dispute resolution agencies may request for assistance from the DILG, PNP, IPA, or AFP. The request may be in writing or with the use of any telecommunication technology or digital platform. The said request shall specify the acts to be performed or conducted by the agency concerned. 8. The service of lawful order or writ issued by the DOLE is the primary concern of the DOLE's duly authorized representatives nd/or sheriff. Before service of the order or writ, the DOLE representative and/or sheriff shall: a. Coordinate and dialogue with the leaders of the workers as well as the representative of management, and explain the nature and content of the order or writ to the enforced including the possible consequences of any defiance thereto. b. Coordinate with the PNP when violence is imminent; and c. In economic zones and freeport area, coordinate with the concerned IPA unit for the orderly and peaceful implementation of the order or writ. 9. The Offices of the DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations and Regional Directors shall act as national and regional local points and serve as channels for reporting a grave violations of the freedom of association and the right to organize as well as violations or instances of non-observance of these Guidelines. In cases of violations, such as incidents of labelling or invitations to workers alleged, perceived or identified as members of certain conflict armed groups, among others, the focal points shall immediately intervene and be present at the site to provide assistance and guarantee that workers' rights are not violated. 10. The DOLE shall act as Secretariat to the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council Monitoring Body (NTIPC MB) and the Regional Tripartite Monitoring Bodies (R

TMBs). The NTIPC MC and RTMBs shall monitor and document the implementation of these Guidelines, and verifym document or rfer, as the case may be, any reported incidents or allegations of threats, intimidation, and harassment committed against workers' organizations or their members in the exercise of their freedom of association and right to organize. 11. The DOLE shall act as Secretariat to the Inter-Agency Committee established pursuant to Executive Order No. 23 s. 2023, Reinforcing and protecting the Freedom of Association and Right to Organize of Workers, Constituting an Inter-Agency Committee to Strengthen Coordination and Expedite the Investigation, Prosecution, and Resolution of Cases for Violations Thereof, Among Others (EO 23-IAC). The DOLE shall ensure closer coordination with the EO 23-IAC member-agencies. and their respective regional offices to expedite the investigation, prosecution, and resolution of alleged violations of the freedom of association. VI. CONDUCT OF THE DILD AND PNP RELATIVE TO THE EXERCISE OF WORKERS' FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, CONCERTED ACTIONS AND OTHER TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES 1. The DILG, LGUs, and PNP shall refrain from directly involving themselves in legitimate trade union activities as well as indirect engagements with trade unions on matters that are civilian in nature and which fall under the mandate of DOLE. 2. The DILG, in consultation and coordination with DOLE, shall ensure the LGUs compliance with the principles of freedom of association and civil liberties through any of the following initiatives: a. Mandating labor education and training programs using modules jointly developed with DOLE for LGU officials and personnel on workers' rights including freedom of association. b. Establishing mechanisms for DILG to monitor LGU compliance with these Guidelines and hold them accountable for violations; or c. Encouraging LGUs to provide logistical and administrative support for workers'

organizations in exercising their rights, such as facilitating venues for meetings. 3. The DILG and LGUs shall not directly intervene in labor disputes. Loca chief executives or their authorized representatives shall seek assistance from the DOLE in setting any labor dispute in their respective LGUs. Any request for PNP assistance shall be coursed through the DOLE, which shall decide on the request. The request shall be made in writing or through the use of any telecommunication technology or digital platform. 4. The involvement of PNP personnel during strikes, pickets, lockouts, and other concerted actions shall be limited to the maintenance of peace and order, the enforcement of laws and the implementation of legal orders of the duly constituted authorities. 5. The PNP shall not intervene in labor disputes, except only in the following cases: a. When expressly requested in writing or through the use of any telecommunication technology or digital platform by the DOLE through its Regional Offices; or b. When a criminal act has been committed is being committed, or is about to be committed through overt acts, in accordance with Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, whether or not it arises out of the labor dispute; or c. When there is actual violence arising out of a labor dispute. In the cases covered by paragraphs b and c above the PNP shall immediately notify the DOLE of the circumstances and the actions taken to ensure the restoration and/or maintenance of peace and order. The DOLE shall monitor and assess the need for the actual and/or continued assistance of the PNP. 6. A PNP peace-keeping team or Civil Disturbance Unit shall be assigned in a strike, picket, or lockout area when requested in writing by the DOLE, subject to the following conditions: a. The peace-keeping team shall stay at least 50-meter radius away from the strike, picket, or lockout area, in case the 50-meter radius includes a public thoroughfare, traffic police shall ensure the

free flow of traffic. b. In the exercise of their peace-keeping functions, members of the abovesaid team shall at all times be in their prescribed civil disturbance management uniform and with properly displayed nameplate. They shall: i. Respect human rights and dignity, and observe strict neutrality in responding to a request and in dealing with the parties involved, bearing in mind that the parties to the labor dispute are not their adversaries and that labor disputes are to be resolved by labor laws and processes and not by law enforcement officers; ii. Respect the constitutional guarantee on the rights to life, liberty, security, and due process as well as the right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures and illegal arrests and detentions. iii. Ensure that the strike-bound area is a gun-free and free from the other deadly weapons, explosives and other incendiary or similar devices; iv. Exercise maximum tolerance at all times in responding to a conflict, dispute, or incident, particularly when faced with a request to disperse a concerted action of the workers. Force shall not be used except in responding to an aggression that threatens to physically injure any person and only when all other peaceful and non-violent means have been exhausted. v. Not deliberately inflict any physical harm upon strikers and/or picketers or any person involved in the strike, picket, lockout or concerted action; vi. In case of death, serious physical injury or incapacity of any labor leader or member of the organization involved in the strike, picket, lockout or concerted action, the local police shall immediately activate a special investigation task group to conduct an in-depth investigation; and vii. Shall not fraternize with any of the parties involved in the controversy, and shall not accept any invitation from any management personnel or union official or personnel involved in the controversy except upon proper clearance from DOLE for the purpose of preventing vio

lence or by bringing about a peaceful resolution of the dispute. 7. When there is actual violence within the area of a strike, picket, lockout, or other concerned action, or when there is a general breakdown of public peace and order that poses a clear and present danger to the security and safety of the local populace, and the PNP has limited or inadequate personnel to avert or resolve the violence or danger, the PNP, in coordination with DOLE, may request the assistance of the AFP to help restore and protect public order and security. 8. In the conduct of PNP operations, the workers' rights and civil liberties must be respected, protected and advanced at all times. Toward this end, the PNP: a. Shall not label workers' organizations/associations, labor leaders, members or organizers as front or members of certain conflict armed group/s; b. Shall not hold or assist in any manner whatsoever in the conduct of information drives or seminars, especially during the 60-day freedom period until the actual conduct of certification election, to dissuade workers from organizing a union or participating in a certification election, or from voting or supporting a specific trade union organization. c. Shall not invite workers, organizers, or union officials to extract information on their alleged links or support to certain armed groups, except in furtherance of criminal investigations; and d. Shall not force them to renounce membership in their trade union organization. 9. Where PNP assistance is sought in the service of an order or writ issued by courts or other duly constituted authorities in relation to or arising out of labor disputes. It shall be the duty of the PNP to observe these Guidelines and to coordinate with the DOLE and/or its apprpriate agencies for the service of such order or writ. 10. No search or arrest arising from a labor dispute shall be made except through a valid court warrant, In case of arrests made without a warrant by a public officer or private pers

on on the basis of his/her knowledge that a crime or offense is about to be committed, is being committed, or has been committed, as provided for in Section 5, Rule 113 of the Rules of Court, or in case of obstruction to public thoroughfares or ingress to and egress from the employer's premises, or in case of possession of deadly weapons (such as knives, bolos, blunt or pointed instruments) in violation of Republic Act No. 10591, the persons arrested shall be delivered to the nearest police station and accordingly be charged in court. The arresting officer shall notify the DOLE within twenty-four (24) hours after the arrest was made. 11. The DILG, through the PNP, shall be responsible for the development and conduct of information and dissemination and learning sessions pertaining to law enforcement, maintenance of peace and order, and the operations of the PNP, security agencies, and security personnel. Any request that may be received by the DILG or PNP and its attached agencies for resource persons, orientations or seminars outside of its mandate or jurisdiction, including requests for labor education, shall be referred to the DOLE or proper agency for appropriate action. VII. CONDUCT OF THE DOJ RELATIVE TO THE EXERCISE OF WORKERS' FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND THE RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, CONCERTED ACTIONS AND OTHER TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES Reorganizing the primary jurisdiction of DOLE over labor disputes and pursuant to the DOJ Department Circular No. 009, s. 2023, the following guidelines on handling criminal complaints involving members of workers' organizations and trade unions shall be observed. 1. Cases/complaints that require DOLE Clearance a. It shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor to first secure a clearance from the DOLE and/or the Office of the President before taking cognizance of complaints for preliminary investigation and the filing in court of the corresponding criminal information of cases arising out or related to a la

bor dispute involving the exercise of workers' and trade unionists' freedom of association and their rights to organize, collective bargaining, concerted actions and other trade union activities; and b. The abovementioned cases arising out of or related to a labor dispute involving the exercise of workers and trade unionists' freedom of association and rights to organize, collective bargaining, concerted actions and other trade union activities may include cases with allegations of violence, coercion, physical, injuries, assault upon a person in authority and other similar acts of intimidation, obstructing the free ingress to and egress from a factory or place of operation of the machines of such factory, or the employer's premises. 2. Cases/complaints that do not require DOLE Clearance The following complaints or cases do not require a clearance from the DOLE and/or the Office of the President before the investigating prosecutor can take cognizance thereof for preliminary investigation or file the corresponding information in court: a. Cases or complaints arising out of or related to a labor dispute involving violations of general labor standards, including wages, which do not arise from the exercise of freedom of association or the rights to organize, collective bargaining, concerted actions, and other trade union activities; and b. Cases or complaints involving employers and employees, which do not involve a labor dispute and/or do not arise from the exercise of freedom of association or the rights to organize, collective bargaining, concerted actions, and other trade union activities. 3. Procedure for securing clearance The DOH and the DOLE shall ensure the efficient and effective operationalization of this clearance requirement. VIII. CONDUCT OF INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCIES RELATIVE TO THE EXERCISE OF WORKERS' FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND THE RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, CONCERTED ACTIONS AND OTHER TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES 1. The responsibility of en

suring peace and order within the economic zones and freeport areas is lodged with the IPA police. 2. The IPAs, through the DOLE, may request the assistance of the PNP to augment the capability of the IPA police for the maintenance of peace and order during labor disputes. The request may be made in writing or with through the use of any telecommunication technology or digital platform. The said request for assistance shall specify the acts to be performed or carried out by the IPA or locator concerned that require a PNP assistance. 3. An IPA Police and IPA Security Guards peace-keeping team may be formed to ensure peace and order during strikes, picket, lockouts or other concerted actions arising out of labor disputes. Thy shall likewise observe the above condition governing the engagement of PNP peace-keeping team, except the provision on maintaining the 50-meter radius distance from the strike, picket or lockout area. 4. The IPA concerned, as first responder and in coordination with DOLE, shall take all necessary and reasonable measures, observing the principles of strict neutrality and maximum restraint, to prevent violence or the escalation of actual violence during strike, picket, lockout or other concerned action arising out of labor disputes within the economic zone or freeport area. 5. Pursuant to the DOLE-DTI-PEZA Memorandum of Agreement on Promoting Industrial Peace in Special Economic Zones signed on 08 May 2023, the Ecozone Tripartite Working Committee (ETWC) shall serve as a communication channel and mechanism for undertaking joint programs, projects, and activities, including technical cooperation and capacity-building, among the government, labor and employer sectors toward enhancing labor-management relations and promoting social accountability, transparency and good governance in the administration of ecozones. 6. The IPAs shall implement programs and activities on labor-management education, including the promotion of the fundamental pricnciples a

nd rights at work, labor-management cooperation, and workers' participation formulated by DOLE. IPAs, in coordination with the DOLE, shall promote the exchange of best labor-management practices of locators within the economic zones and freeport areas. 7. DTI, through IPAs, shall be the sole agency responsible for the development and conduct of activities relative to investment promotion, operations and peace and order within the economic zones and freeport areas. Any request that may be received by the DTI or IPAs for resource persons, orientations or seminars outside of their mandates and jurisdiction shall be referred to the proper agency for appropriate action. IX. CONDUCT OF THE AFP RELATIVE TO THE EXERCISE OF WORKERS' FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND THE RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, CONCERTED ACTIONS AND OTHER TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES 1. The AFP shall refrain from directly involving themselves in legitimate trade union activities as well as in direct engagements with trade unions on matters that are civilian in nature and within the realm of legitimate trade union activities which fall under the mandate of DOLE. 2. The AFP shall not intervene in labor disputes, except only in the following cases: a. When there is an absence and/or lack of appropriate law enforcement agencies, the DOLE, through it Regional Offices, may formally request the AFP to be on stand-by to maintain peace and order within the vicinity of the strike, picket, lockout or other concerted action arising out of labor dispute until the arrival or appropriate law enforces. The request shall be made in writing or through the use of any telecommunication technology or digital platform; or b. When there is actual violence in the vicinity of the strike, picket, lockout, or other concerted action or there is a general breakdown of public peace and order that poses a clear and present danger to the security and safety of the local populace, and there is an absence and/or lack of appropriate law