Imee, a Filipino civil engineer, was directly hired by an international organization based in Singapore to work on one of its infrastructure projects. She entered into an employment contract directly with the organization without going through a Philippine recruitment agency or the Department of Migrant Workers. Before her departure, a fellow worker questioned the validity of her employment, arguing that Article 18 of the Labor Code prohibits employers from directly hiring Filipino workers from overseas employment.

Is Imee’s direct hiring valid? Explain. (Bar 2026 Syllabus)