Quezon City - The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) held a Consultation and Lecture on the Campaign Against Ambulance Chasing with 27 practicing lawyers on November 11, 2025, at the NLRC Main Office. This initiative aimed to ensure fairness, protect rights, and uphold the rule of law in the workplace. NLRC Commissioners and Labor Arbiters from NCR and Luzon also attended the consultation.

In her welcome remarks, Presiding Commissioner Dolores M. Peralta-Beley of the Fifth Division acknowledged the attendance of all participants as a testament to their commitment to upholding labor law. She highlighted that the dialogue is a vital venue for addressing challenges in legal practices and finding collaborative solutions. “We in the Commission hope that through this meaningful exchange, we can find common ground and work together to promote peace and uphold the rights of labor,” said PC Beley.

OIC/Presiding Commissioner Leonard Vinz O. Ignacio of the Fourth Division presented a lecture on Legal Ethics and Labor Practice. He cited relevant legal bases (i.e. Labor Law, NLRC Rules of Procedures, Magna Carta of Seafarers, Seafarer’s Protection Act) and relevant jurisprudence, focusing on critical issues such as contingent fee arrangements, ambulance chasing, champerty, and other forms of malpractice. He urged practitioners and government officials to practice labor ethics.

Following this, Commissioner Gina F. Cenit-Escoto of the First Division presented the NLRC’s Measures to Eliminate Fixers and Ambulance Chasers, outlining several initiatives designed to combat these practices. These measures include Establishment of a Public Assistance Center (PAC) to address inquiries from workers and management; establishment of a Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in the NLRC premises for the exclusive representation of indigent workers; establishment of an Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Legal Aid Center within the NLRC RABs to provide legal services and address legal questions, use of an NLRC Facebook Page to provide accurate information; implementation of an online filing system for SEnA Requests for Assistance (RFA), dissemination of information campaign against fixers and ambulance chasers; provision of assistance by Commission Attorneys to complainants in accomplishing complaint forms; and setting up of an Action Desk for Seafarers.

The lectures were followed by an Open Forum, where NLRC officials addressed questions raised by the lawyers. The discussions covered concerns such as the provision of office space for the IBP Legal Aid Center; the handling of crossed checks for attorney’s fees; administrative protocols for lawyers visiting the NLRC office; the issuance of orders of payment and inhibition; and the execution and enforcement of judgment awards. Inputs and suggestions received during the forum will be considered by the Commission in line with the ongoing amendment of the NLRC Rules of Procedure.

In her closing remarks, Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan emphasized the value of such consultations, where best practices and approaches to challenges are shared. She affirmed that the NLRC remains open to suggestions and comments, encouraging the continuous conduct of such dialogues to improve the Commission’s service delivery.

The event concluded with 19 lawyers signing the Manifesto towards industrial peace, entitled: “Isang Tinig, Isang Tindig, Isang Paninindigan, Isang Boses at Isang Adhikain.”

This Consultation and Lecture is one of the key activities lined up for the celebration of the Commission’s 51st Founding Anniversary and 2025 Labor Relations Week, bearing the theme “NLRC@51: Pagpupugay sa Manggagawa.”

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