Image courtesy of www.news.mb.com.ph
Source: www.news.mb.com.ph
GMA Network may find itself in hot water after Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the network may be held liable and penalized for the on-set injury that caused the death of veteran actor Eddie Garcia.
In an interview over CNN Philippines, Bello said there must be an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officer in every establishment to make the work place safe and compliant with health standards, as stated under the OSH Law.
The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) is already probing the accident.
“Iinspeksyunin nila kung tama ‘yung pagkahawak kay Mr. Eddie Garcia. Kung merong safety and health officer, baka nabigyan ng tamang treatment when he had that accident,” Bello told CNN Philippines.
Should GMA Network be found liable for any violation, the labor chief said the OSHC can file administrative charges against the network even without a complaint from Garcia’s family.
The network may be slapped with a monetary fine or “suspensions of operations”, depending on how grave the lapses were, Bello added.
The OSH law sets a maximum fine of P100,000 per day.
In a statement last June 10, GMA Network said it is looking into the absence of a medical team on the set.
On Thursday, the multi-awarded actor passed away at the Makati Medical Center after he suffered severe cervical fracture or broken neck.
Garcia sustained the fracture after he reportedly tripped and fell while shooting a television series in Tondo, Manila.
Garcia was cremated last Friday and the public viewing of his urn ended on Sunday.