To Avoid a SONA Embarrassment: Address Workers' Demands

Photo from Inquirer.net

Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that tomorrow's fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) does not become a "SONAkakahiya"—a play on words meaning an embarrassing SONA—by presenting both immediate and long-term solutions to the cost-of-living crisis confronting workers and the majority of Filipinos.

 

According to PM Chairperson Renato Magtubo, the government's priorities should include certifying as urgent the proposed P200 legislated wage hike and the National Minimum Wage Act, both of which are currently pending in Congress. He also called for a review of the Oil Deregulation Law, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), and the Value-Added Tax (VAT), as well as launching reforms that would genuinely ease the economic burden on Filipino families.

 

"It would be SONAkakahiya to boast tomorrow that the Philippines has reached the World Bank's upper middle-income country (UMIC) status when workers do not feel its benefits in their daily lives," Magtubo said.

 

The labor leader, who now serves as a councilor in Marikina City, added that even the P85 wage increase granted in Metro Manila—which Malacañang described as "historic"—will simply end up paying higher Meralco electricity bills, as the country's electricity rates have now become even higher than Singapore's.

 

Magtubo also pointed to the latest Pulse Asia survey, which showed that while Filipinos primarily want to hear about the results of the government's anti-corruption campaign, a greater number of the issues they expect President Marcos to address concern prices, wages, jobs, poverty, and other economic concerns.

 

"It would truly be SONAkakahiya if nothing is said about these issues in tomorrow's SONA," Magtubo stressed.

 

The group also noted that although the same survey showed relatively low public interest (1.2%) in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, this merely reflects the public's desire to see all corrupt officials held accountable—including members of the Duterte and Marcos families, as well as other political dynasties. This, they said, is precisely what is reflected in the much higher public interest (29.8%) in the government's anti-corruption campaign.

 

"It would also be SONAkakahiya to boast about an anti-corruption campaign if it is ‘makapili’ or selective," Magtubo concluded.

 

Tomorrow, Partido Manggagawa will participate in the State of Labor Address (SOLA) to be held at the TUCP Compound under the leadership of the National Wage Coalition and the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition. The event will present the situation of Filipino workers and their demands amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis. It will be followed by a program and a march at the Elliptical Circle and along Commonwealth Avenue. 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

26 July 2026

 

Workers to Remolona: Why is P85 wage hike inflationary and your P52-M per year is not?

Photo from Business World

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM), on Monday asked Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona on why he raises high alarm on the inflationary impact of the recently approved P85 increase in daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

 

The group said because workers have no grasp of macro-economics, it wants the BSP governor to educate the public on why money in the hands of rich people is not inflationary while workers’ wages are.

 

In particular: “Why is the P85 wage hike inflationary and his P52 million salary is not,” asked PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Magtubo said Remolona is merely echoing the long-held position of employer’s groups that any wage increase is bad for workers and the economy.

 

“Ang mayayaman sa Pilipinas ay mas maraming hawak na pera kaysa sa manggagawa, pero walang economic managers sa bansa ang nagsabi na ang ganitong sitwasyon ay inflationary, samantalang korus silang lahat sa inflationary effect ng wage hike,” said Magtubo.

 

He added: “Why should inflation be the problem when it is wages which cannot catch up with the latter? Ang duda naming ay may balak ang pamahalaan na i-reverse ang P85 sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay babala sa ibang rehiyon na huwag tularan ang NCR. Hindi ito acceptable.”

 

The labor leader said workers need answers to this question as the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President is happening on Monday under the backdrop of the Philippines having been declared by the World Bank an upper middle-income country (UMIC). 

 

PM said for the UMIC status to be real, an average Filipino household size of four members must have an income of P1,000,000 per year.  

 

“Wala tayo sa ganyang mundo ngayon. Sa katunayan, 90% ng households sa buong Pilipinas ay kumikita ng mas mababa sa P1-M sa loob ng isang taon, batay sa Family Income and Expenditure Survey,” Magtubo explained.

 

He added that millionaires in the richest 10% of the population can only be found in 13 cities of the country, 8 of which are in Metro Manila. “Pero walang nagpapaliwanag kung bakit ang hawak nilang yaman ay hindi inflationary at ang wage hike sa minimum wage earners ang dapat pangambahan.”

 

Minimum wages in the Philippines in all regions in the country, except NCR, have stayed lower than the official poverty threshold. 

 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

20 July 2026

 

Hindi pa nga natatanggap ay kinain na ng power rate hike ang isang araw sa ₱60 wage hike ng minimum wage earners dito sa NCR. 

 

Ayon sa Partido Manggagawa, hindi bababa sa ₱74.8 milyon mula sa 1.1 milyong minimum wage earners sa NCR na dapat tumanggap ng ₱60 wage hike ngayong Hulyo ang mapupunta lamang sa mga may-ari ng power plants dahil sa ₱0.34/kwh na rate hike na inanunsyo ng Meralco. 

 

Pauna lamang ito sa mga susunod pang pagtaas sa presyo ng kuryente dahil nakabinbin din sa Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ang petisyon ng Meralco para sa sariling distribution, supply, and metering (DSM) charge adjustment na nagkakahalaga ng ₱0.99/kWh sa ilalim ng first regulatory period ng 2027-2031na maari umanong desisyunan ng ERC ngayong 3rd Quarter. 

 

“Ang wage hike ay utay-utay pero ang rate power rates hike ay sunod-sunod,” galit na pahayag ni Judy Miranda, Secretary General ng Partido Manggagawa (PM). 

 

Ayon kay Miranda, kung pagsasamahin ay mahigit ₱1.00/kWh ang average na itinaas ng presyo ng kuryente mula Marso. 

 

Sa paliwanag ng PM, ₱74.8 milyon ang mawawalang halaga mula sa 1.1 milyong minimum wage earners dahil ang katumbas ng ₱0.34/kWh sa konsumo na 200 kWh ng tipikal na household sa isang buwan ay ₱68. 

 

“Ibig sabihin, isang araw na minimum wage na kaagad ang nawala sa bagong wage hike ng minimum wage earners sa NCR. Ito pala ang buhay sa Upper Middle-Income Country, mas mabilis ang power hike kaysa sa wage hike,” ayon pa kay Miranda.

 

Nangangamba rin ang PM na masusundan pa ang power rate hikes ng isa pang round at may domino effect ito sa ibang produkto dahil sa bulnerabilidad ng bansa sa price shocks dahil sa dependence nito sa imported na fossil fuel tulad na langis, coal at LNG na siyang gamit sa power plants at transportasyon dahil napakabagal din ng transisyon sa renewable energy.

 

Dagdag dito ang kapalpakan ng EPIRA at pribatisasyon bilang patakaran na ginawang mas makapangyarihan ang mercado kasya kontrol ng gobyerno sa esensyal na mga serbisyo tulada ng kuryente.

 

“Dapat ang UMIC status ay resulta ng reporma, hindi matematikal na kwenta lamang sa yaman na kalakhan ay nasa kamay lang naman ng mga kapitalista, katulad ng mga may-ari ng power firms,” pagwawakas ni Miranda.

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

11 July 2026

One day's wage hike just eaten by power rate hike

Photo from GMANews

The power rate hike has already eaten one day of the ₱60 wage hike that is yet to be received by minimum wage earners in NCR.

 

According to Partido Manggagawa (PM), at least ₱74.8 million, from the 1.1 million minimum wage earners in NCR who should receive a ₱60 wage hike this July, will only go to power plant owners because of the ₱0.34/kwh rate hike announced by Meralco.

 

This is just a preview of the next electricity price increases because Meralco's petition for its own distribution, supply, and metering (DSM) charge adjustment worth ₱0.99/kWh is also pending at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) under the first regulatory period of 2027-2031, which the ERC is said to be able to decide this 3rd Quarter.

 

“The wage hike is gradual but the rate power rates hike is consecutive,” angrily stated Judy Miranda, Secretary General of PM.

 

According to Miranda, if combined, the average electricity price increase since March is more than ₱1.00/kWh.

 

According to the PM, 1.1 million minimum wage earners lost ₱74.8 million because the equivalent of ₱0.34/kWh for a typical household's consumption of 200 kWh in a month is ₱68.

 

“This means that one day of minimum wage has already been lost in the new wage hike for minimum wage earners in the NCR. This is life in an Upper Middle-Income Country, power hikes are faster than wage hikes,” Miranda said.

 

PM also fears that these power rate hikes will be followed by another round and will have a domino effect on other products due to the country's vulnerability to price shocks as it is dependent on imported fossil fuels such as oil, coal and LNG which are used in power plants and transportation because the transition to renewable energy is also very slow.

 

Added to this is the failure of EPIRA and privatization as a policy that made the market more powerful than government control over essential services like electricity.

 

“UMIC status should be the result of reform, not just a mathematical calculation of wealth that is largely in the hands of capitalists, such as the owners of power firms,” Miranda concluded.

 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

11 July 2026

P200 wage hike ngayon na!

Buong suporta ang ipinapahayag ng Partido Manggagawa (PM) sa petisyon ng Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (Kapatiran) para sa P200 wage increase na dininig ngayong araw ng NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

 

Sa harap ng patuloy na pagtaas ng inflation at lumalalang cost-of-living crisis, ang dating sahod ay kinain na ng pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, kuryente, upa, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan.

 

May peace agreement na sa Middle East, pero dito sa Pilipinas ay wala pa ring “agreement” sa usapin ng sahod. Hindi magkasundo dahil ayaw ng employers at gobyerno sa sapat at malaking dagdag-sahod na matagal nang hinihingi ng mga manggagawa.

 

Habang pinag-uusapan kung magkano lang ang kayang ibigay sa mga manggagawa, ang presyo ng mga bilihin ay parang missiles na walang tigil ang lipad—sunod-sunod ang pagsirit at walang pinipiling tamaan. Ang tunay na epekto nito ay gutom, pangungutang, at patuloy na paghihigpit ng sinturon ng mga pamilyang manggagawa.

 

Ang P200 wage increase ay kinakailangang hakbang upang maibsan ang mabilis na pagbagsak ng purchasing power ng sahod. Ang ekonomiya ay hindi uunlad kung ang mismong mga lumilikha ng yaman ay patuloy na binabarat.

 

Panahon na ring talikuran ang mali at konserbatibong pananaw na ang disenteng umento sa sahod ay katumbas ng tanggalan. 

 

Maraming pag-aaral ang nagpapakitang ang mas mataas na kita ng mga manggagawa ay nagpapalakas ng domestic demand at nagpapasigla sa lokal na ekonomiya. Ang solusyon ay pagsamahin ang makabuluhang wage increase at isang industrial at employment strategy na lilikha ng marami at de-kalidad na trabaho.

 

Malapit na ang State of the Nation Address (SONA). Ngunit walang laman ang anumang pahayag tungkol sa pag-unlad kung wala itong kasamang makabuluhang wage hike at seryosong programa sa employment. Hindi magiging kumpleto ang SONA kung hindi sasagutin ang pinakamabigat na tanong ng milyun-milyong manggagawang Pilipino: Paano mabubuhay nang disente ang isang pamilyang ang sahod ay mas mababa pa sa poverty threshold?

 

Panahon na para pakinggan ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa: P200 wage hike ngayon na!

 

Partido Manggagawa

18 June 2026

May baon bang pagbabago si Secretary Tolentino?

Dahil ang pinalitan niyang Kalihim sa Department of Labor and Employment ay hindi malapit sa manggagawa at hindi rin maganda ang performance, ang inaasahan na kapalit ay mas maayos, kundi man kabaliktaran. 

 

Prerogative ng Pangulo ang pagpili nang kanyang alter-ego at pinuno sa mga departamento at ahensya ng pamahalaan. Walang say dito ang manggagawa, kung kaya’t ang pagsalubong sa bagong talagang Kalihim ay sa paraan ng paghamon namin gustong idadaan.

 

Ang hamon ay kung may baon bang pagbabago si Sec. Tolentino sa DOLE? Ito ang nais naming marinig sa kanyang unang araw sa tanggapan. 

 

Nakabinbin ngayon ang mga panukalang batas sa Kongreso para sa P200 dagdag-sahod at panukalang abolisyon ng provincial rate. Kasabay nito ay nakahain din sa regional wage boards ang mga petisyon wage hike mula P200 hanggang P1,200. Nariyan pa rin ang problema sa endo at mga hadlang sa malayang pag-uunyon.

 

Kaya ba ng bagong Kalihim na ang mga ito ay itulak at pabilisin? 

 

Sa harap ang kasalukuyang krisis ay tumataas din ang ang unemployment rate kaya mahalagang agenda ang job creation, kabilang ang green jobs kung saan lead agency ang DOLE, at reporma sa public employment program.

 

Mahirap na trabaho ang magbalanse ng interes ng manggagawa at kapitalista. Pero bilang abogado ay alam dapat ni Secretary Tolentino na sa usapin ng social justice, mas matimbang ang kapakanan ng paggawa kaysa sa tubo ng negosyo. Ito ang mas mahalaga sa manggagawa, dahil dito nagsisimula ang tama at unang hakbang ng isang pinuno.

 

PRESS STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa

26 May 2026

Hustisya para sa mga manggagawang biktima ng pagguho ng gusali

 

Photo from Bureau of Fire Protection Central Luzon

Kinokondena ng Partido Manggagawa sa Central Luzon ang naganap na trahedya ng pagguho ng itinatayong gusali sa bahagi sa Pampanga kung saan dalawa na ang kumpirmadong patay.

 

Ayon sa huling mga ulat, 26 pa lamang sa mahigit 40 katao na pinaniniwalang na-trap sa gumuhong gusali ang na-rescue. 

 

“Malinaw na may pananagutan dito ang may-ari, kontraktor, DOLE, at maging ang lokal na pamahalaan, dahil ito ay malinaw na kapalpakan, bukod sa kapabayaan sa occupational health and safety (OSH) standard na dapat pinaiiral sa lahat ng workplace, lalo na sa construction sites,” pahayag ni Ver Estorosas, tagapangulo ng Partido Manggagawa sa Bulacan. 

 

Pangunahin aniyang layunin ng OSH law na pigilan ang workplace accidents sa manggagawa kaya nangangahulugan ito ng regular na inspeksyon lalo na mga construction sites.

 

Dapat magkatulong ang DOLE at LGUs sa enforcement ng OSHS standards sa kanilang nasasakupan dahil ang aksidente ay palaging risko sa construction sites. 

 

“Pero kung parehong natutulog sa pansitan, ang kapahamakan ng manggagawa ay palaging naisusugal,” dagdag pa ni Estorosas.

 

Nananawagan din ang PM sa mabilisang imbestigasyon sa naging sanhi ng aksidente, gayundin sa agarang medikasyon at kompensasyon para sa mga biktima. 

 

Nangangamba rin ang grupo na kung walang SSS coverage ang construction workers dito, na siyang kalakaran sa industriya, hindi sila masasaklaw ng benepisyo ng Workmen’s Compensation Act. 

 

“Ang kawalan ng SSS at iba pang benipisyo ng manggagawa sa konstruksyon ay dagdag na pananagutan sa batas ng mga employer,” diin ni Estorosas.

PRESS STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa-Bulacan

25 May 2026

PM Suportado ang Panawagang ₱200 Dagdag-Sahod sa NCR

 

Suportado ng Partido Manggagawa (PM) ang petisyon ng Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa o Kapatiran para sa ₱200 dagdag sa arawang sahod ng mga manggagawa sa National Capital Region (NCR), kasabay ng panawagan sa Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board na agarang aksyunan ito sa harap ng tumitinding krisis sa kabuhayan. 

 

Sa harap ito ng isinagawang public consultation ng NCR Regional Wage Board kaugnay ng mga petisyon sa dagdag sahod.

 

Ayon sa PM, ang hinihinging dagdag-sahod ay hindi luho kundi kinakailangang hakbang upang maibalik ang nawalang halaga ng sahod dahil sa mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, pagkain, kuryente, at pamasahe bunsod ng kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan.

 

“Ang ₱200 wage hike ay hindi sobra. Ito ay pagbawi lamang sa nawalang halaga ng sahod ng manggagawa matapos ang sunud-sunod na taas-presyo. Nagkaputukan sa Middle East, nagtaasan ang presyo sa Pilipinas, pero ang minimum wage earners ay pinabayaang magtiis,” pahayag ni Renato Magtubo, chairperson ng Partido Manggagawa. 

 

“Under attack ang kabuhayan ng manggagawa kaya dapat mabilis ang tugon ng wage board. Kapag mabilis tumaas ang presyo, dapat mabilis din ang dagdag-sahod.”

 

Ipinaliwanag ng PM na ang kasalukuyang minimum wage na ₱695 sa NCR ay hindi na sapat upang tugunan ang araw-araw na gastusin ng isang pamilyang manggagawa. Batay sa consumer price index (CPI) ng NCR na nasa 131.2 noong Abril, bumagsak na sa humigit-kumulang ₱530 ang tunay na halaga ng minimum wage, katumbas ng mahigit ₱165 wage loss kada araw. Dagdag pa rito, tinatayang mahigit ₱1,200 kada araw ang kinakailangan ng isang pamilyang may limang miyembro upang mabuhay nang disente sa NCR.

 

Binigyang-diin din ng Partido Manggagawa na ang pagtaas ng sahod ay hindi lamang usapin ng social justice kundi isang makatuwirang patakarang pang-ekonomiya. Anila, ang mas mataas na kita ng manggagawa ay direktang napupunta sa konsumo tulad ng pagkain, transportasyon, edukasyon, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan, na nagpapalakas sa lokal na negosyo at ekonomiya. “Ang manggagawa ay hindi lamang producer kundi konsyumer din. Kapag may kakayahan silang gumastos, umiikot ang ekonomiya, lumalago ang negosyo, at dumarami ang trabaho,” ani Magtubo.

 

Sa huli, nanawagan ang Partido Manggagawa sa wage board na dinggin ang hinaing ng milyun-milyong manggagawa at ipagkaloob ang ₱200 dagdag-sahod bilang makatarungan at agarang tugon sa krisis sa kabuhayan. “Hindi limos ang hinihingi ng manggagawa. Ang hinihingi niya ay living wage na nakasaad mismo sa Konstitusyon—isang sahod na magbibigay dignidad sa kanyang buhay at sa kanyang pamilya,” pagtatapos ni Magtubo.

Photos at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0M9Z9hJdzjb9koxNBL4jbFoGxFVHKHQBADZS5Qno4MfnxV6JgLK8g9d1J9q9EgB6pl

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa 

22 May 2026

Reforms along with impeachment—Partido Manggagawa

The House of Representatives, by an overwhelming vote of 255, has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. For the second time, the Senate is obligated to convene as an impeachment court and place the impeached official on trial. Walang lusot dito—sino mang liderato man ang maupo sa Senado.

But if the recent Senate coup was engineered precisely to delay or derail this process, including shielding political allies from accountability such as the ICC issue, then it only exposes a deeper institutional crisis. Lalabas na hindi lamang si Sara Duterte ang dapat sumailalim sa paglilitis—kailangan din ng Senado na maglinis ng sarili. An institution that evades accountability loses the moral authority to judge others.

The same challenge applies to the House of Representatives. Hindi dapat matapos sa impeachment ang usapin ng pananagutan. Kung seryoso ang Kamara sa “self-cleansing,” kailangan nitong ipasa ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, ang mga nakabinbing P200 wage hike bill, at ang abolition of provincial wage rates na matagal nang nagpapahirap sa manggagawa. At marami pang ibang mahalagang social legislation.

Sayang ang impeachment kung hindi matutuloy at kung walang kasabay na reporma.

Accountability without structural change risks becoming mere spectacle.

Ang tunay na paglilinis ng gobyerno ay hindi lang pagpapanagot sa indibidwal na opisyal kundi pagwawasto din sa mga problemang istruktural katulad ng dinastiya, katiwalian, at anti-poor policies.

MEDIA STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa

ANG BALIKATAN AY PREPARASYON SA DIGMAAN: Stop Turning the Philippines into a Platform for War

 

Partido Manggagawa (PM) condemns the firing and strategic deployment of US Typhon missiles on Philippine soil under the Balikatan military exercises, warning that these war drills only heighten unnecessary tension in the region and further drag the Philippines into the dangerous rivalry of hegemonic global powers.

 

Linawin natin: Ang Balikatan ay preparasyon sa Digmaan. Hindi ito pre-Olympic games o PE sa mga paaralan. 

 

The Filipino people do not need preparation for proxy wars. What the country urgently needs is a real war against poverty and inequality, price shocks, and unemployment.

 

Ayuda at dagdag sahod, hindi giyera. Kooperasyon, hindi agresyon. Pagkain, hindi armas.

 

The ongoing US-Israel war of aggression against Iran has already shown the world the terrible consequence of militarism – death, destruction, economic disruption, and global price shocks. It is deplorable to invite more regional conflict. Never at our doorstep.

 

Wars benefit arms manufacturers and geopolitical interests, while ordinary people, including workers in soldier’s uniform, bear the burden of inflation, displacement, and destruction. It is because war is a wasteful enterprise funded by taxpayers.

 

In the face of broken federal healthcare, education, and shelter programs, American taxpayers are made to pay for the Typhoon missiles fired from Tacloban to Nueva Ecija, the war budget of Israel, the defense of allied states in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as the maintenance of more than 800 military bases with tens of thousands of US troops worldwide.

 

The world’s people pay a heavy price for wars and conflicts not of their own making. So will Filipinos, once their leaders chose to align with any camp of contending superpowers.

We reiterate our call for demilitarization of the West Philippine Sea: China at US parehong umatras!

 

Only under this condition that explosive territorial disputes do not develop and escalate into shooting wars.

 

Enough of wars! Enough of war drills! Enough of war freak leaders!

 

Funds wasted on weapons and military exercises are better used for universal healthcare, education, public employment, social protection, and comprehensive anti-poverty programs. War preparedness contributes nothing to human development.

Lastly, the Philippines must uphold an independent foreign policy anchored on peace, diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the welfare of its people – not subservience to the military and economic agenda of powerful nations. 

PRESS STATEMENT

05.06.2026

 

Prices surge, but wages remain frozen

Partido Manggagawa (PM) criticized the government’s inaction on workers’ demand for a wage increase amid the spike in inflation to 7.2% this April from 4.1% in March.

 

“Prices of goods have been jumping sharply. But while BBM may have jumped to show he is physically fit, in reality the President is paralyzed when it comes to pushing for wage increases for workers,” said Renato Magtubo, PM Chairperson.

 

According to Magtubo, the surge in inflation this April will further worsen the erosion of the current minimum wage. The ₱695 minimum wage in the NCR has already lost ₱156 in value in the past month.

 

“Workers are already war-shocked by price hikes and bill shock. But even more shocking is the inaction of Malacañang and Congress on wage increases. There is a state of emergency, but the response is anything but urgent,” Magtubo added.

 

It can be recalled that workers gained no wage increase despite the widespread protests during the recent Labor Day.

 

PM reiterated its call for a ₱200 wage hike and for lowering prices by removing regressive taxes such as VAT on critical goods like oil and electricity.

-------------------------------

 

Hataw ang presyo pero sweldo walang galaw

 

Binatikos ng Partido Manggagawa (PM) ang kawalang aksyon ng pamahalaan sa kahilingan ng manggagawa sa dagdag-sweldo sa harap ng pagsirit ng inflation rate paakyat sa 7.2% ngayong Abril mula sa 4.1% noong Marso. 

 

“Naglundagan na paitaas ang presyo ng bilihin. Pero kung nakisabay lumundag si BBM para ipakitang healthy ang pangangatawan, sa realidad ay paralisado ang Pangulo sa pagtulak na dagdagan ang sweldo ng mga manggagawa,” pahayag ni Renato Magtubo, Tagapagulo ng PM. 

 

Ayon kay Magtubo, ang pagsirit ng implasyon ngayon Abril ay lalo lang magpapalaki sa wage erosion ng kasalukuyang minimum wage. Ang P695 na minimum wage dito sa NCR ay nabawasan na ng P156 sa nakaraang buwan. 

 

“Na-warshock na ang manggagawa ang price hikes at bill shock. Pero mas shocking ang kawalang aksyon ng Palasyo at Kongreso sa wage hike. May state of emergency pero hindi naman emergency ang kilos,” ani Magtubo.

 

Matatandaang walang napalang umento ang manggagawa sa kabila ng malawakang protesta sa nagdaang Mayo Uno. 

 

Muling iginiit ng PM ang panawagang P200 wage hike at pagpababa sa presyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggal ng regressive taxes tulad ng VAT sa kritikal na produkto tulad ng langis at kuryente.

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

Workers are the ones subsidizing government and business—Partido Manggagawa

 

“Workers are the ones providing subsidies to both government and business, yet we are the last ones to receive benefits and services,” stated Partido Manggagawa (PM) on the eve of Labor Day, countering the prevailing narrative that it is the government that subsidizes the poor.

 

“There are various forms of limited and patronage-based assistance, but the funds for these ultimately come from workers themselves. Even corporate profit, after taxes, is derived from labor. Everything comes from workers, yet BBM’s response to us this Labor Day is silence—we are being ghosted,” protested PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Magtubo further explained that, as consumers, millions of workers pay regressive taxes such as excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) multiple times on the goods and services they purchase. As metered customers of Meralco and other distribution utilities, they effectively subsidize the electricity bills of poorer households. As income earners, they pay personal income taxes once they exceed the exemption threshold. And as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), they remit billions of dollars to support their families’ consumption.

 

Labor groups are demanding a ₱200 wage increase and the enactment of a national minimum wage law. However, Malacañang and business groups continue to uphold a policy of wage restraint despite a ₱155 erosion in the real value of the minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).

 

PM, under the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, will join the National Wage Coalition in a unified WELGA march tomorrow morning, beginning at Welcome Rotonda and España Boulevard and proceeding to Mendiola. WELGA stands for: Wage Hike Now Toward a National Living Wage; Eliminate E-VAT and Review Income Tax; Impose Taxes on Excess Wealth and Profits; Make Prices Affordable; and Arrest All Corrupt Officials.

 

The Labor Day protests are nationwide. In Cebu, around 1,000 members of PM and SENTRO will assemble at 8:00 a.m. at Sto. Rosario Church before proceeding to Metro Gaisano on Colon Street. The group will then join other labor organizations for a joint program at Fuente Osmeña at approximately 10:00 a.m. In Bacolod, the PM chapter will hold an indoor assembly from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., followed by a march along San Juan Street corner Gonzaga Street, and then proceed to Bacolod Plaza for a joint program with other workers’ groups. In Iloilo, PM will join United Labor in a march starting from the flyover in front of UP Visayas at 3:00 p.m., proceeding to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for a program lasting until 5:00 p.m.

 

PM is also advancing an anti-war position, asserting that the United States–Israel alliance must be held accountable for its war of aggression against Iran and its impact on the global economy. Meanwhile, on the issue of corruption, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda emphasized that the struggle for good governance remains integral to labor’s advocacy, alongside urgent economic concerns such as wages and employment.

 

“All corrupt officials must be jailed, whether from the Duterte camp or the Marcos camp. Sure, bring down Sara—but also bring down the prices of basic goods,” Miranda stated.

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

May 1, 2026

HINDI KAMI MULTO: Workers are the ones subsidizing the government and business

 

“Manggagawa ang totoong nagbibigay ng subsidy sa gobyerno at negosyo subalit pinakahuli sa benepisyo at serbisyo,” stated Partido Manggagawa (PM) on the eve Labor Day, countering the prevailing narrative that it is the government that provides subsidy to the poor.

 

“May iba’t-ibang klase ng limitado at patronage na ayuda, pero galing din naman sa manggagawa ang pondo sa mga ito. Kahit ang yaman ng mga korporasyon, after taxes, ay sa labor din galing. Lahat ay galing sa manggagawa, pero ghosting ang tugon ni BBM sa amin ngayong Labor Day,” PM Chair Renato Magtubo protested.

 

Magtubo explained further that as consumers, millions of workers pay regressive taxes like excise and VAT multiple times for manufactured goods and services they purchase. As metered customers of Meralco and other distribution utilities, they are made to subsidize the power bills of their poorer neighbors. As income earners, they pay personal income taxes once the exemption level is breached. And as OFWs, they remit billions of dollars for their families to spend.  

 

Labor groups are demanding for a P200 wage hike and the enactment of the national minimum wage bill, but Malacañang and business groups maintain a policy of wage restraint despite a ₱155 erosion of the minimum wage in NCR.

 

Partido Manggagawa under the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition is joining other labor groups under the National Wage Coalition tomorrow morning, for a WELGA unified march from Welcome Rotonda and España Boulevard going to Mediola. PM members will also join the nationwide protests particularly in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo.

 

WELGA stands for Wage Hike Now Tungo National Living Wage, E-VAT Tanggalin Income Tax Repasuhin, Lagyan ng Buwis ang Sobrang Yaman at Kita, Gawing Abot Kaya ang Presyo, and Arestuhin Lahat ng Kurakot.

 

PM is also taking an anti-war call, saying it is the US-Israel tandem which should be held accountable for their war of aggression on Iran and its impact on the global economy.

 

Meanwhile, on the issue of corruption, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda said the fight for good governance will always be a part of labor’s advocacy, along with topmost and urgent economic concerns like wages and jobs.

 

“Ikulong ang lahat ng korap, Duterte camp man yan o Marcos. Pababain si Sara, pero pababain din ang presyo ng mga bilihin,” Miranda said. ###

PM Statement on Negros 19

Partido Manggagawa joins the growing call for an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into the Negros encounter that left 19 people dead, including a UP student and an independent media practitioner who reportedly were in the area for social research when the encounter happened.

 

The military’s claim of a legitimate operation does not settle the matter. The reported killing of non-combatants raises grave concerns of possible violations of international humanitarian law. Civilians, activists, and journalists are protected persons and must never be treated as casualties of war.

 

Accountability is non-negotiable. Any breach of the Geneva Conventions and human rights standards must be investigated and punished.

 

Beyond this incident, the cycle of violence will persist unless its roots are addressed. Government must confront the social and economic injustices driving the insurgency, while armed groups must reassess their strategy in winning power and pursuing political change.

 

Justice must be served. Lives lost demand nothing less. ###

Labor group asks BBM to ok wage petitions

 

The group Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa today called on President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. to exercise moral suasion on the regional wage boards to immediately act on pending salary adjustment petitions. Yesterday, Kapatiran filed a petition for a P200 wage hike at the NCR wage board. Last March 27, a coalition of labor groups led by Partido Manggagawa and Sentro ng mga Progresibo at Nagkakaisang Manggagawa filed a similar petition for a P100 salary increase in Central Visayas. Next week, another alliance plans to submit a petition for a wage adjustment for Western Visayas workers.

 

“President Marcos, Jr., the P30 reduction in the price of LPG is not enough. Workers need a P200 wage hike. With great power comes great responsibility. Use your emergency powers to help workers. What kind of state of emergency is this if there are no ambulances for wage earners?” stated Rey Almendras, president of the group Kapatiran and also of the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Labor Union.

 

The wave of wage petitions foreshadows the suite of demands in the coming Labor Day protests next week. Aside from a wage hike, Labor Day demands include higher assistance for informal workers, improved public employment program, suspension of the excise tax on oil, abolition of the vat on oil and electricity, review of the oil deregulation law and electricity privatization, state-led renewable energy program and a stop to the US-Israel war on Iran. There are Labor Day marches planned in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo by the group Partido Manggagawa in alliance with other labor organizations. Kapatiran is joining the planned Labor Day protest in Metro Manila.

 

Almendras insisted that “Lahat na nagtaas pero ang sweldo napako. Tama na. Sobra na. Umento na! High inflation due to the war on Iran constitutes a supervening event that necessitates the P200 wage hike. The government’s own data—from the Philippine Statistics Authority—reveals that the current P695 minimum wage in Metro Manila has an effective real value of only P539.18, representing a loss of P155.82 since 2018. We are not really asking for a wage hike but simply wage recovery.”

 

“The seriousness of the current economic conditions has been formally acknowledged by the National Security Council, which has declared that the Philippines is facing a socio-economic crisis. Sapat na itong batayan para sa deklarasyon ng supervening event,” Almendras argued. It is still two months before the lapse of one year after the last NCR wage order.

 

Photos of filing at PM FB: https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/ 

April 24, 2026

Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa

Labor group to file P200 wage hike petition in NCR tomorrow

 Media Advisory

April 22, 2026

Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa

Contact Rey Almendras @ 09480082350

 

 

What: Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa will file a P200 wage hike petition

 

Where: NCR Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (11^th Floor Trium Square, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pasay)

 

When: Tomorrow, April 23, 2026, 9:30 am

 

Photo opportunity: A delegation workers will accompany Kapatiran president Rey Almendras (of the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Labor Union) and secretary Ronald Tan (of the Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa ng Dunkin Donuts), both of whom will be available for media interviews

 

Kapatiran is arguing that high inflation due to the war on Iran constitutes a supervening event that necessitates the P200 wage hike. PSA data reveals that the current P695 minimum wage in NCR has an effective real value of only P539.18, representing a loss of P155.82

 

The petition is first in the NCR while a wage hike petition was filed last month in Region 7 (Central Visayas). A P200 legislated wage hike is also pending in the House of Representatives

MEPZ mass layoff spurs demand for improved TUPAD

 

From Cebu Toyo Corporation website

According to the group Partido Manggagawa (PM), some 230 workers of Cebu Toyo Corporation have been put on indefinite forced leave as a result of the US-Israel war on Iran. PM is calling for an improved public employment program to assist the laid off workers in transitioning to new and better jobs.

 

“Unfortunately, we fear that the indefinite forced leave is a step towards eventual retrenchment for the workers. Further, the mass layoff promises to be just the first wave of war-related terminations. Thus, the government needs to set up a job assistance program in dialogue with labor organizations,” stated Dennis Derige, spokesperson of the Cebu chapter of PM and also vice chair of the Regional 7 industrial tripartite peace council.

 

Cebu Toyo produces optical lenses for electronic products and is located in the Mactan Economic Zone 2 at Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. The indefinite forced leave was a response to supply chain disruptions due to the war in the Middle East, according to the management of Cebu Toyo.

 

PM is assisting the workers and is coordinating with the local office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for a dialogue with the affected workers. “This is a test case of the emergency powers granted to President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. With great power comes great responsibility. We demand an urgent response from the President’s alter ego in the DOLE,” Derige asserted.

 

PM has criticized the existing emergency employment program called TUPAD for being too limited and entangled in patronage politics. The group is calling for a new public employment program that is delinked from politicians and instead based on a national registry of legitimate beneficiaries. Moreover, it is calling for 100 days of paid work not the usual 10 days. Finally, PM wants to prioritize climate jobs instead of the street sweeping that TUPAD currently implements.

 

Derige also called on the regional wage board to fast track the P100 wage petition filed by unions. Derige argued that “The unprecedented emergency powers granted to President Marcos, Jr. is already enough evidence of a supervening event that necessitates an immediate decision by the wage board.”

 

With Labor Day just more than a month away, PM is calling for an expanded ayuda program and an independent foreign policy aside from a P200 legislated wage hike and improved public employment program. “The Philippines should add its voice to the call of the Pope and other global actors for an end to the war and a new rules-based international order based on respect for sovereignty and development,” Derige insisted.

Press Release

April 14, 2026

 

Workers are the ones subsidizing government and business—Partido Manggagawa

 

“Workers are the ones providing subsidies to both government and business, yet we are the last ones to receive benefits and services,” stated Partido Manggagawa (PM) on the eve of Labor Day, countering the prevailing narrative that it is the government that subsidizes the poor.

 

“There are various forms of limited and patronage-based assistance, but the funds for these ultimately come from workers themselves. Even corporate profit, after taxes, is derived from labor. Everything comes from workers, yet BBM’s response to us this Labor Day is silence—we are being ghosted,” protested PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Magtubo further explained that, as consumers, millions of workers pay regressive taxes such as excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) multiple times on the goods and services they purchase. As metered customers of Meralco and other distribution utilities, they effectively subsidize the electricity bills of poorer households. As income earners, they pay personal income taxes once they exceed the exemption threshold. And as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), they remit billions of dollars to support their families’ consumption.

 

Labor groups are demanding a ₱200 wage increase and the enactment of a national minimum wage law. However, Malacañang and business groups continue to uphold a policy of wage restraint despite a ₱155 erosion in the real value of the minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).

 

PM, under the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, will join the National Wage Coalition in a unified WELGA march tomorrow morning, beginning at Welcome Rotonda and España Boulevard and proceeding to Mendiola. WELGA stands for: Wage Hike Now Toward a National Living Wage; Eliminate E-VAT and Review Income Tax; Impose Taxes on Excess Wealth and Profits; Make Prices Affordable; and Arrest All Corrupt Officials.

 

The Labor Day protests are nationwide. In Cebu, around 1,000 members of PM and SENTRO will assemble at 8:00 a.m. at Sto. Rosario Church before proceeding to Metro Gaisano on Colon Street. The group will then join other labor organizations for a joint program at Fuente Osmeña at approximately 10:00 a.m. In Bacolod, the PM chapter will hold an indoor assembly from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., followed by a march along San Juan Street corner Gonzaga Street, and then proceed to Bacolod Plaza for a joint program with other workers’ groups. In Iloilo, PM will join United Labor in a march starting from the flyover in front of UP Visayas at 3:00 p.m., proceeding to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for a program lasting until 5:00 p.m.

 

PM is also advancing an anti-war position, asserting that the United States–Israel alliance must be held accountable for its war of aggression against Iran and its impact on the global economy. Meanwhile, on the issue of corruption, PM Secretary General Judy Miranda emphasized that the struggle for good governance remains integral to labor’s advocacy, alongside urgent economic concerns such as wages and employment.

 

“All corrupt officials must be jailed, whether from the Duterte camp or the Marcos camp. Remove Sara from office—but also bring down the prices of basic goods,” Miranda stated. 

 

PRESS RELEASE

Partido Manggagawa

May 1, 2026

Structural reforms needed as free market policies collide with public interest

 

Partido Manggagawa finds the decision of President Marcos to place the country under a state of energy emergency an attempt to show the people that the government is in control. The truth is, it is not.

 

In the midst of the current price shocks, it is becoming clearer that the Philippine government is incapable of protecting the Filipino people because of the limitations imposed by the free market framework of the Oil Deregulation Law (RA 8479).

 

It is not because the Philippine State lacked powers to deal with any emergency. Its problem now is how to extricate itself from the dilemma of trying to demonstrate control against the fact that it is deregulation and privatization policies that truly commands the economy.

 

Despite Palace’s assurances that they are “closely monitoring” price movements, the stark reality is that it has very limited capacity to directly influence fuel prices or stabilize supply. Under full deregulation, oil importation, pricing, and distribution are almost entirely in the hands of private companies.

 

Even the Price Act (RA 7581) which provides for the imposition of price ceilings in times of emergencies, cannot provide meaningful relief because oil and related products are not part of prime commodities covered under the law.

 

Another example is the Electric Power Reform Act (EPIRA). Its Sec. 71 provided the President emergency powers during a crisis. Yet it is hardly exercised against the power oligarchs who exercise total control of the privatized power industry. We also have very strong climate commitments, yet our planned transition is very dependent on private investments and the leadership of the private sector.    

 

The State is well aware of the need for emergency intervention to prevent profiteering by private companies and protect consumers, however, market liberalization remains an overarching economic policy, thus, discourages or even disables such intervention. This situation exposes workers and farmers to the full impact of global price shocks.

 

The government must, thus, address the contradiction between emergency response and its free market policy.

 

The government must therefore consider reforming or replacing the Oil Deregulation Law an immediate agenda. Energy is a strategic necessity that should not be left to the full discretion of market forces because it would undermine both economic stability and social justice. It is time to reclaim the State’s role in ensuring affordable and accessible energy for all.

 

In addition, it should address the chronic vulnerabilities of many sectors like in the case of ordinary workers whose life of poverty and insecurity are compounded by low wages, suppressed rights, and inadequate social protection.

 

This crisis situation likewise calls for the passage of the bill for wage hike and establishing the National Minimum Wage Law.

 

PRESS STATEMENT

25 March 2026