2014 Labor Law, Q12

Which of the following groups does not enjoy the right to selforganization? (1%)
(A) those who work in a non-profit charitable institution
(B) those who are paid on a piece-rate basis
(C) those who work in a corporation with less than 10 employees
(D) those who work as legal secretaries

Quick check

Which category of employees is disqualified from exercising the right to self-organization under the doctrine of necessary implication?

Do employees of non-profit charitable institutions possess the constitutional right to self-organization?

Why are legal secretaries handling labor relations matters excluded from joining rank-and-file labor unions?

Are workers paid on a piece-rate basis legally entitled to form or join legitimate labor organizations?

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What is the statutory threshold requirement regarding workforce size for employees to exercise self-organization?

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1. Confidential Employee Exclusion
Under Article 255 of the Labor Code and established jurisprudence, confidential employees who assist or act in a confidential capacity to persons who formulate, determine, and effectuate management policies in the field of labor relations are disqualified from forming, joining, or assisting labor organizations. Under the doctrine of necessary implication, this disqualification prevents potential conflicts of interest and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive labor relations information to bargaining units.

2. Self-Organization Scope
The right to self-organization is guaranteed to all employees, including those working in non-profit charitable institutions, piece-rate workers, and employees of small commercial establishments employing fewer than ten workers. Except for managerial personnel, confidential employees, and members of the armed forces, police officers, and high-level public officials, all workers in the private sector enjoy the fundamental right to organize for collective bargaining or mutual aid and protection.

3. Legal Secretaries Status
Legal secretaries assigned to lawyers handling labor relations or management policy matters are classified as confidential employees due to their direct access to confidential labor policy strategies, legal opinions, and bargaining positions. Because their duties involve handling sensitive labor communications, they are statutorily excluded from exercising the right to self-organization to preserve employer confidentiality during labor disputes.

About these questions and answers
The questions reproduced here are the official texts of the Philippine Bar Examinations, published by the Supreme Court. They are reproduced for study purposes.The suggested answers are the author’s own.

They are not official answers, have no connection with the Supreme Court, the Office of the Bar Confidant, or any bar review institution, and are not endorsed by any of them. Official answer keys, where released, should be preferred over anything here.Nothing on this page is legal advice, and reading it creates no lawyer-client relationship. Do not rely on any suggested answer in an actual legal matter. Consult counsel on your own facts.Suggested answers reflect the law and jurisprudence the author considers applicable as of the date shown.

Where a question comes from an earlier examination, the suggested answer applies the law as it now stands, which may differ from the law in force when the question was given, and may therefore differ from what would have been the correct answer at that time. Where the difference is material, the answer notes it.The practice scoring feature measures wording overlap with the suggested answer. It is not a grade, carries no official weight, and says nothing about whether your reasoning is sound.Errors are possible. If you find one, please tell me and I will correct it.Last reviewed: October 2026