All members of the Philippine Senate have united to push for the immediate lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the implementation of the ₱85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.
Through Senate Resolution No. 577, lawmakers from both the majority and minority blocs expressed unified support for Filipino workers and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri spearheaded the effort alongside Senator Robin Padilla, who gathered backing from minority members.
“Let the Labor Code prevail and allow the ₱85 increase to reach the workers who have already waited long enough. Hindi puwedeng ang isang petisyon ng iilan ang magpapahintay sa mahigit 1.1 milyong manggagawa at kanilang mga pamilya,” Zubiri declared.
“I moved around and gathered signatures for cross-aisle support from all members of the majority and minority so the Senate can state clearly that the wage board’s decision should be final. It should be implemented and respected by the courts,” he added, noting that, “Pirmado na po ito ng lahat ng senador. Nagpatulong tayo kay Sen. Robin Padilla na magpapirma sa minority at ako naman, sa majority. Walang partido, walang kulay dapat ang pagsusulong natin ng kapakanan ng manggagawa.”
The resolution invokes Article 126 of the Labor Code, which explicitly prohibits courts and tribunals from issuing injunctions or TROs against proceedings involving the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and regional wage boards. Zubiri warned that allowing the injunction to stand would establish a dangerous legal precedent.
“Otherwise, it would set a bad precedent because if a P30 increase is approved in Cagayan de Oro or Northern Mindanao, anyone could just go to a friendly court and seek a restraining order. Hindi naman puwede iyon,” he cautioned.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region approved the ₱85 hike under Wage Order No. NCR-27, with the first ₱60 portion taking effect on July 25, 2026, and the remaining ₱25 scheduled for January 2027.
However, implementation was halted on July 30 after Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 152 issued a TRO following a legal challenge by Readycon Trading and Construction Corporation and R-II Builders Inc.
“Habang nakabinbin ang dagdag-sahod, wala namang TRO laban sa pagdating ng mga bayarin at laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, pamasahe at pagkain,” Zubiri pointed out, urging the court to reconsider. “We respectfully but firmly appeal to Branch 152 to lift the TRO immediately. Allow the wage-setting system created by law to work and let our workers receive the relief already granted to them.”
The resolution also reinforces legal actions undertaken by DOLE and the NWPC to defend Wage Order No. NCR-27.
“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,” Zubiri concluded.