Alexis Valdez, father of two children, has worked at Digitel as an engineer for 19 years. A member of the Digitel Employees' Union (DEU), Alexis is currently on a hunger strike.
Last April 16, Alexis joined some of the 93 protesting DEU members on a hunger strike to highlight their protest against the PLDT/Digitel management.
DEU, citing the Corporation Code, claims that the recent merger of PLDT and Digitel does not absolve PLDT of its responsibilities. The Corporation Code (Sec. 80) states: "The surviving or consolidated entity must, therefore, recognize the security of tenure and length of service of the workers of the merging or consolidating corporations."
Last March 19, 2013, a Writ of execution was issued by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz ordering commencement of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and reinstatement of affected employees. The writ was to enforce an earlier Supreme Court decision.
PLDT released a statement to Rappler stating that they have "exercised maximum tolerance" throughout the strike, but respect the right of the "former Digitel employees to freely express their views."
As of the filming of this video, Alexis had not eaten for 5 days.
Daniel Rudin, Manila - Rappler
Credits: Video and editing by Monica Ablao and Jom Tolentino. Produced by Daniel Rudin.