In a rare display of complete bipartisan consensus, the Senate pushed back Wednesday against judicial interference in labor policy, demanding the immediate dissolution of a court order freezing Metro Manila’s ₱85 daily minimum wage increase.
Lawmakers unanimously backed Senate Resolution No. 577, aiming against a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 152.
The court action, triggered by a legal challenge from two private firms, has effectively blocked pay raises for an estimated 1.1 million low-income workers across the capital region.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri led the charge, arguing that judicial intervention threatens the statutory authority of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and regional wage boards.
Resolution 577 explicitly anchors its argument on Article 126 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 6727. The provision specifically bars courts and lower tribunals from issuing injunctions against decisions rendered by regional wage boards or the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
Zubiri warned that allowing the Pasig RTC order to stand creates a hazardous legal precedent that could compromise future pay adjustments across the country.
“It would set a bad precedent because if a ₱30 increase is approved in Cagayan de Oro or Northern Mindano, anyone could just go to a friendly court and seek a restraining order. Hindi naman pwede ‘yun,” Zubiri said, emphasizing that labor adjustments in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao could face perpetual litigation.
The resolution was signed across the Senate floor, with Zubiri noting that Senator Robin Padilla helped mobilize support among minority bloc members.
“Walang partido, walang kulay dapat ang pagsusulong natin ng kapakanan ng manggagawa,” Zubiri asserted, urging the judiciary to yield to the provisions of the Labor Code.
Calling on the court to lift the restraint without delay, Zubiri stressed that the ₱85 adjustment is a long-overdue economic correction rather than a concession.
“The Senate will stand with our workers until this wage increase reaches their hands. Hindi ito pabor o limos, kundi pagkilala sa halaga ng kanilang trabaho at sa karapatan ng bawat pamilya sa isang marangal na buhay.”