Senators Demand Immediate Lifting of Wage Hike TRO

Senators from both the majority and minority blocs have called for the immediate lifting of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against an P85 wage increase in Metro Manila. The move underscores a push to protect workers' rights and improve their living standards. In Senate Resolution 577, the senators urged the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 to promptly lift the TRO on the implementation of Wage Order No. NCR-27. This order aims to enforce Article 126 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act 6727, which prohibits courts, tribunals, or other entities from issuing injunctions or TROs against proceedings before the National Wages and Productivity Commission or the regional wage boards. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri stated that all senators had signed the resolution, having enlisted the help of Senator Robin Padilla to gather signatures from the minority bloc. "There should be no party, no color in advancing the welfare of the workers," he emphasized. However, Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ronald dela Rosa did not sign. Marcoleta and Estrada are currently detained, while Dela Rosa is in hiding following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Zubiri cautioned that this TRO could set a "bad precedent," as it could allow anyone to seek a restraining order from a "friendly court" if a wage increase, such as P30 in Cagayan de Oro or Northern Mindanao, were approved. He expressed concern that allowing one legal challenge to hold the wages of over 1.1 million workers in abeyance could expose future wage adjustments across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to similar delays. "While the wage hike is still pending, there is no TRO against bills and the increase in the prices of goods, food, and fare," Zubiri added. The P85 adjustment was approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) following consultations among representatives of labor, employers, and government, along with an assessment of prevailing socio-economic conditions. Under Wage Order No. NCR-27, an initial P60 increase took effect on July 25, 2026, with the remaining P25 scheduled for January 20, 2027, raising the daily minimum wage to P780 in the non-agriculture sector and P743 in other covered sectors. Source: GMA Money Philippines