Labor Arbiter has dismissed the labor complaint filed by delivery riders in Baguio City against Delivery Hero Logistics Philippines, Inc. (DHLPI), ruling that the riders are not employees of the company.
In a decision dated January 20, 2026, the Labor Arbiter determined that the complainants were engaged as independent service providers under a freelance agreement, rather than as employees. In arriving at the decision, the Labor Arbiter underscored the absence of control on the part of DHLPI over the manner by which riders perform their work.
While riders are required to observe platform guidelines—such as delivery protocols, app usage, and food-handling standards—these were characterized as operational safeguards intended to ensure service quality, rather than indicators of managerial control.
The ruling further highlighted that riders are free to determine when they log in to the platform, whether to accept or decline delivery requests, and whether to render services for other delivery platforms. Compensation is based on completed deliveries, and riders use their own vehicles, equipment, and resources.
Given the lack of an employer-employee relationship, the Labor Arbiter ruled that the labor tribunal has no jurisdiction over the monetary claims raised by the complainants. The case was therefore dismissed for lack of merit and jurisdiction.
