MANILA – The Supreme Court Third Division has ruled in favor of the Talents Association of GMA (TAG), declaring 94 talents of GMA Network Inc., mostly from the News and Public Affairs department, as regular employees.

In its decision, the high court also found that 50 TAG members whose contracts were either not renewed or terminated during the pendency of the case were illegally dismissed, and awarded them separation pay and backwages.

TAG said the ruling ends an 11-year legal battle that began in 2014, when its members filed the case against what they considered their home network.

The association noted that the decision may still be appealed by GMA Network through a motion for reconsideration, in accordance with judicial procedure.

TAG cited the Supreme Court’s ruling, which stated: “Plain as day, there exists an employer-employee relationship between GMA and respondents. Respondents are regular employees of GMA.”

The group said the decision establishes jurisprudence protecting media workers and their entitlement to security of tenure and statutory benefits.

TAG also said it welcomed the ruling with sadness, noting that one of its members, James Arce, died in 2023 and did not live to see the outcome of the case.

The association called on media companies, particularly broadcast networks, to end contractualization through the talent system and to protect Filipino media workers.