Commonwealth Act No. 494 (CA 494) — An Act to Authorize the President of the Philippines to Suspend, Until We Date of Adjournment of the Next Regular Session of the National Assembly Either Wholly or Partially the Operation of Commonwealth Act Numbered Four Hundred and Forty-Four, Commonly Known as the Eight-Hour Labor Law.
Commonwealth Act No. 494 (CA 494) — An Act to Authorize the President of the Philippines to Suspend, Until We Date of Adjournment of the Next Regular Session of the National Assembly Either Wholly or Partially the Operation of Commonwealth Act Numbered Four Hundred and Forty-Four, Commonly Known as the Eight-Hour Labor Law.
Data as of July 4, 2026 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
Sec. 1. A state of war among the nations of the world with which the Philippines has been maintaining commercial and trade relations for many years has produced such serious repercussions in the economy of the nation as to create an emergency. In this situation, it is essential that the Government take stops to prevent a dislocation of the productive forces of the country. In order to avoid unnecessary injury to labor and industry by the inflexible application of the provisions of die Eight-Hour Labor Law, which may ultimately prove detrimental to public interest, the present state of emergency requires that the Government be given authority to suspend the operation of the said law if and when such action becomes necessary.
Sec. 2. To meet this emergency and until the date of adjournment of the next regular session of the National Assembly, the President of the Philippines is authorized to suspend, either wholly or partially and under such conditions as he may deem proper, the operation of Commonwealth Act Numbered Four hundred and forty-four, when in his judgment the public interest so requires.
Sec. 3. Within ten days after the opening of the next regular session of the National Assembly, the President shall report to the same whatever action may have been taken by him under the authority conferred in this Act.
