JM de Guzman makes TV comeback via ‘Ipaglaban Mo’

CEBU, Philippines -  After more than a year of absence from the limelight, JM de Guzman finally makes his acting comeback on television via the hit legal drama anthology “Ipaglaban Mo” today.

In the said episode, JM (Andoy) plays a fish porter, who led 30 of his co-workers in a labor rights protest and filed a complaint against their employer for not giving them special pays and incentives despite having worked at the company for three years.

As a result, Andoy and his group were fired from their jobs, but they continued their legal battle. They sued the company again for illegal dismissal and violation of Article 118 of the Labor Code, which states that it is unlawful for employers to discharge any employee who has filed any complaint against them.

The Labor Arbiters took the side of the employer, but the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed the first decision and ordered the management to give the fish porters their job back, pay their back wages, and grant them special pays and incentives.

However, the employer then filed a petition with the Supreme Court to junk the NLRC’s decision. What was the final decision of the court in this case? Did Andoy and his co-workers find justice after the twist and turns of their battle for their rights?

Also joining the cast in this week’s episode titled “Ibigay Ang Aming Karapatan,” directed by Garry Fernando, are Yam Concepcion, Leo Rialp, Bryan Santos, Ketchup Eusebio, and Janus del Prado.

Don’t miss “Ipaglaban Mo,” the drama anthology that empowers Filipinos with knowledge of their legal rights and obligations, hosted by lawyer. Jose Sison and Jopet Sison, this Saturday after “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN. For more updates follow @IpaglabanMo2 on Twitter, @IpaglabanmoABSCBN on Instagram, and like the Facebook page www.Facebook.com/IpaglabanMoABSCBN. (FREEMAN)