DOLE chief confident P85 wage hike in Metro Manila will prevail despite TRO

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino on Sunday expressed confidence that the law would ultimately uphold the P85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, despite a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a court against its implementation. "The rule of law will prevail here. The Constitution will prevail," Tolentino said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. On July 30, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a TRO in response to a petition for declaratory relief filed by two construction companies questioning National Capital Region (NCR) Wage Order No. 27. Issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, the wage order grants an P85 daily increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila's private sector. It provides for a P60 increase in the first tranche, which took effect on July 25, and a P25 second tranche scheduled to take effect later. Earlier, Tolentino clarified that employers must honor and pay wage increases already earned by workers before the TRO took effect. In the interview, the labor chief cited Article XIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that the State shall afford full protection to labor. "I believe Article XIII, Section 3 of the Philippine Constitution will prevail. I believe the court will recognize the primacy of the law," Tolentino said in Filipino. He also appealed for calm, assuring workers that the government would continue to protect their welfare. "To [the public], let us remain calm. The law, especially the Constitution, must prevail. Your government will not abandon you, especially when it comes to the welfare of our workers," he said. According to Tolentino, the court is scheduled to hear the case on Monday, August 3. — MCG, GMA News