Pag-IBIG files raps vs 57 employers

MANILA, Philippines - The Pag-IBIG Fund (Home Mutual Development Fund) has filed charges against 57 employers for non-registration of their employees in the first tri-semester of 2012, Pag-IBIG chief executive office and president Darlene Marie Berberabe said yesterday.

Berberabe said 19 of the 57 employers, who were charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9679 or the Pag-IBIG Fund Law of 2009, were from the National Capital Region (NCR) while the 38 others are from other parts of the country.

She said the charges were part of Pag-IBIG’s stepped up campaign against employees and companies who are not complying with RA 9679, which requires companies to register their employees earning at least P1,000 in Pag-IBIG.

“It is the Fund’s obligation to ensure that employers comply with their obligation to register their employees. Non-registration means that their employees are deprived of their benefits as employees and as Pag-IBIG Fund members,” Berberabe said.

Pag-IBIG general counsel Robert John Cosico expects more cases to be filed against employers found to have not registered their employees in the next few months.

Cosico said Pag-IBIG, through its strengthened partnership with local government units, has been able to identify employers who remain unregistered with them.

He said they are strongly urging unregistered employers to avail of its Penalty Condonation Program, register and settle the required contributions of its employees to avoid being charged for non-registration.

“Under the law, refusal or failure to comply with the Pag-IBIG law is punishable by imprisonment of not more than six years or a fine of not less than, but not more than twice, the amounts involved, or both,” Cosico said.

Pag-Ibig’s Penalty Condonation Program will run until June 30, 2012.