A dynasty-filled Senate is anti-impeachment

Dismissing Sara Duterte’s impeachment case in plain view was just like re-electing Chiz Escudero. The alignment was the same. The numbers and faces who rejected the motion to keep the impeachment process alive in the Senate are the same mix of people representing political dynasties. Their votes, therefore, have nothing to do with the “rule of law” nor the representation of their “independence” as co-equal.

 

Yesterday, the Senate majority just did what Escudero wanted them to do since the 19th Congress – kill the impeachment.  Yet, it is harder to think that it was Sara Duterte who’s managing Chiz or she’s in virtual control of the Senate. That’s surely beyond her power and competence.

 

So why did the Senate majority unanimously reject a very simple “PAKIUSAP” by the minority to wait for the final decision of the Supreme Court on the motion for reconsideration? They could have simply suspended deliberations rather than put into the archive an impeachment complaint, which they also believed was non-existent.

 

There can only be one explanation for this, which we believe was driving the new Senate under Escudero. This was brilliantly explained by Cayetano’s “talunin nyo na lang si Sara sa 2028” remark, coupled with other innuendos about the possibility of endless impeachment complaints flooding the Senate in the future because of corruption. That sharp presentation in support of making the impeachment process more difficult has truly assumed consensus among dynasties in the Senate. Dynasties have their own political plans beyond the Senate, and impeachment is the least political process that they will support.

 

Clearly, the Senate they are shaping today is anti-impeachment. In other words, their votes yesterday were not just for Sara but also for themselves. Their defense of Sara is their flood control to prevent the arm of justice and accountability reaching their own dynasty walls. 

“Nakakahiya na talaga kayo!” – Workers cry foul on killed wage hike and planned dismissal of impeachment

 

The Senate of the 19th Congress has simultaneously stalled action on both the proposed wage hike and the impeachment case. Sen. Escudero effectively killed the wage hike measure, while the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is also poised to be dismissed today.

 

At a protest in front of the Senate this morning led by Tindig Pilipinas, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Kalipunan, and Siklab, members of Partido Manggagawa (PM), raised their voices against the Senate inaction: “No impeachment, no wage hike? Nakakahiya na talaga kayo!”

 

“Impeach! Huwag Puro Insert sa National Budget,” a PM poster displayed, referring to reported billions of insertions to the 2025 budget allegedly orchestrated by Escudero.

 

The Senate plans to vote on whether to dismiss or not the impeachment complaint following the Supreme Court’s decision declaring the House’s impeachment process unconstitutional. But the House of Representatives filed a motion for reconsideration before the high tribunal, while several civil society organizations and former Justices also filed separate petitions for intervention and asking the Court to declare a status quo ante and the holding or oral arguments.

 

An outright dismissal is totally deplorable, according to PM Secretary General Judy Miranda, since a bad Senate decision will have deep repercussions for other equally important measures on accountability and social justice.

 

The proposed wage hike and anti-endo bills have once again been refiled in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

“Workers fight for their passage alongside the impeachment case, as both good governance and raising the living standards of Filipinos are constitutional duties of lawmakers,” Miranda said. 

Photos can be accessed at the FB page: Partido Manggagawa 

Workers reaction to SONA 2025

 PRESS STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa

SONA 2025

Ref: Renato Magtubo

Chairperson

 

The President’s candid admission of underperformance in the past three years set a promising tone for a better second half of his term. However, that hope was soon buried under a lengthy checklist of departmental functions—routine matters expected of any administration.

 

What was glaringly absent were bold policy declarations addressing the nation’s most urgent concerns: a substantial wage hike, an end to contractualization, the creation of decent and secure jobs, and decisive action to rein in inflation.

 

Workers keep on pressing for  a legislated wage hike of P200 as well as the passage of the security of tenure bill, but to no avail. Katulad sa baha at bagyo, kailangan ang Presidente sa pagharap sa krisis na ito.

 

The President also acknowledged energy and water supply issues but failed to confront the root causes—particularly the long-standing failures of privatization.

 

The SONA could have been more meaningful if it had tackled core policy failures and laid out concrete reforms for the remaining three years. The country doesn’t need a report card of government activities—it needs a clear roadmap for change. ###

 

https://web.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0sjPyQc63ewsuuoyvdXtWBzettZYgnv3GMrq6FJr8yw993KAwGGyoeUnX1YVo5njfl

Bigong Pilipinas – War of Dynasties, No War on Poverty

Photo from Rappler

While political dynasties are locked in a bitter battle for power, the working class suffer. Workers continue to face chronic poverty and exploitation, three years under the so-called “Bagong Pilipinas” of the Marcos administration.

 

Bigo pa rin at hindi nagbago ang lagay ng Pilipinas. There is no genuine war on poverty, only a war for power among political clans.

 

Our portrayal of State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow may sound too negative, but that is the hard truth we need to confront. SONA’s usual summation declaring the state of the nation as sound is an insult to millions who cannot afford basic necessities.

 

Wages remain below poverty threshold

 

In all 17 regions, the minimum wage remains below the outdated poverty threshold, forcing workers to live on starvation pay. Despite the government claims of progress with the economy inching up to reach the upper middle-income status, the reality is stark: the cost of living continues to rise, while wages lag far behind. A growing economy must have provided workers with decent jobs, but low pay and contractual jobs dominate the workplace.

 

In short, workers are drowning under the weight of high prices for food, utilities, transportation, and basic services. Mas mataas pa ang baha sa sweldo, ang mas tumitibay ay katayuan ng tiwali sa gobyerno kaysa sa trabaho ng mga Pilipino!

 

The workers’ demands are clear:

 

1.           Immediate wage hike to a level that assures a life of dignity for all workers;

2.           End contractualization by stopping the rampant use of contractual and precarious employment that robs workers of job security and benefits;

3.           Lower prices of goods and services by taking concrete steps to control inflation and reduce the cost of essentials like food, healthcare, energy, housing, and transportation.

 

Accountability

 

We likewise call on all workers and citizens to hold leaders accountable. At this moment, impeaching Sara Duterte is still the right thing to do, but the struggle for reforms must go beyond this. Raising the Filipinos’ quality of life and standard of living is a constitutional duty as equally important as ensuring accountability and good and governance.

 

Finally, we believe genuine reform will only come through the organized strength of the people, not the empty promises of political dynasties.

Despite P50 NCR wage order: Labor vows to push P200 legislated wage bill in new Congress

 

Image from Dakila

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) stated that labor groups are united in pushing a legislated wage increase as a pathway to improving the living conditions of workers and a step towards reforming the wage fixing system.

 

 “It is the high-profile campaign of the labor movement for a P200 legislated increase that nudged the NCR wage board to enact the highest ever amount of minimum hike in the region lest it be criticized by workers for being stingy and useless,” Lawrence Cusipag, one of PM’s spokespersons, asserted.

 

“With the 20^th Congress convening by July 28 and despite the P50 wage order in Metro Manila yesterday, we reiterate out demand for a P200 salary adjustment that is nationwide and across-the-board so that all workers benefit. Even informal workers and micro entrepreneurs will also gain from this measure through the multiplier effects of a robust purchasing power of formal workers,” explained Cusipag.

 

Labor groups will join multisectoral organizations in the planned mobilization on the State of the Nation speech of President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. which is also the official opening of the new Congress.

 

“Labor will raise the demand for a legislated wage hike in opposition to the provincial rates which is an instrument to cheapen wages of workers. Labor productivity has risen continuously for the past two decades even as real wages have stagnated. Employers have monopolized the fruits of so-called economic progress,” Cusipag ended. ###

 

PHP 50/day minimum wage increase is a drop in the bucket

 

Image from ABS-CBN

Five P10 coins may be the biggest alms that the NCR wage board ever gave workers, but it is still barya (small change). The PHP 50/day minimum wage increase, bringing the new minimum wage to PHP 695, is woefully inadequate in addressing the skyrocketing cost of living in Metro Manila. With a daily living wage of over PHP 1,200 for a family of five, this increase barely makes a dent in the poverty faced by workers.

 

Working poor despite wage hike

 

The new minimum wage of PHP 695 translates to a monthly salary of PHP 15,290 (based on 22 working days). However, this is still below the regional poverty threshold of PHP 15,713 as of 2023. Given the rising cost of living, the poverty threshold is likely even higher now, making workers in Metro Manila even poorer.

 

Call to action

 

The labor movement recognizes that the current wage system perpetuates cheap wages. That's why we're fighting for real change through a legislated wage increase of PHP 200 in the upcoming 20th Congress. We urge all workers to unite and join the fight for a legislated wage hike that will genuinely improve our standard of living. Together, we can demand a fair wage that allows us to live with dignity. 

Reporma Lagpas kay Sara! Legislated Wage Hike, Now Na!

PAHAYAG

Partido Manggagawa

June 10, 2024

Tama, pero kapos. Tuloy, pero bitin. Ganito namin inilalarawan sa PM ang mga kaganapan ngayon, sa dalawang huling nalalabing araw ng sesyon ng Kongreso.

Salamat naman at si SP Chiz Escudero ay nahimasmasan, tumiklop sa kahihiyan kahit na hanggang sa dulo ay kimkim ang sama ng loob sa pagkatalo ng kanyang posisyon. Dahil sa kanyang paliwanag, kahit na may salitang “forthwith” na dapat sundin, ang impeachment trial ay hindi dapat minamadali. Ibig sabihin, pwedeng mabagal, pwedeng dahan-dahan. O pwedeng hindi na lang.

Teka-teka ang tawag sa ganitong pulitika. Ganito ang pulitika na hindi nakatuntong sa matibay na panininindigan para sa tama at mali, sa nararapat at hindi. Ganito ang makasariling pulitika, ang timbangan ay nakasentro sa sarili o kaya ay sa dynasty. Ngunita lam natin na hindi solo ni Chiz ang ganitong pulitika.

Makikita natin ang marami sa kanila sa proseso mismo ng impeachment, kapag nagsimula na ang trial. May inisyal nang palatandaan. Kagabi ay siyam lamang ang bumoto pabor sa “proceed”, anim ang tumutol, at walo ang nyutral. Neutral? May ganun? Magbabago ang komposisyon ng Senado sa 20th Congress kaya’t magkakaroon pa ng rigodon.

Subalit kung nababagalan ang marami sa takbo ng impeachment, ano pa sa tinatakbo ng legislated wage hike? February last year pa naipasa ng Senado ang P100 increase, pero sa Kamara nito lamang nakaraang linggo naipasa ang P200. Para mapabilis ay dapat nag-usap na ang bicameral panel para dito, pero wala pa. Dahil dito ay mamimiligrong hindi ito maipasa.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit hinihimok din namin mga ang mga mambabatas na manumpa, hindi lamang bilang mga justice at prosecutor sa impeachment court, kundi para maipasa ang legislated wage hike na nakabinbin ngayon sa Kongreso.

Nakapanumpa na si SP Chiz Escudero bilang presiding justice at maaring ngayon o bukas ay manumpa na rin ang lahat ng senador.  Subalit ang wage hike ay wala pang naitatalagang conferees ang Senado para sa Bicam. May mga pahayag din mula sa ilang Senador na bubusisiin pa nila ng husto ang naipasa nilang panukala, bagay na lalong magpapabagal o ganap na pumigil sa pagpasa nito. 

Matatagalan ang nabuksang paglilitis sa impeachment dahil tatawid pa ito sa 20th Congress, samantalang ang wage hike bill na P100-P200 ay naghihingalo sa antas ng bicam at nanganganib pang di makarating sa Palasyo para maging batas. Nanunulay din ito sa presyur ng capitalist veto dahil sa pagtutol ng mga negosyante at economic managers ni Bongbong Marcos. 

Naniniwala kami na may magagawa pa ang Kongreso kung magkakaisa lamamg ang dalawang Kapulungan na maipasa ang wage hike bill kahit nasa last two minutes na tayo ng labanan. Kung hindi ito magagawa, ito ay pagtalikod sa kanilang tungkulin at pagyuko sa capitalist lobby laban sa manggagawa.

Ang ganitong kabiguan ay lalo lamang magpapatibay at magpapatunay sa aming paniniwala na kapos ang impeachment ni Sara kung walang kaakibat na mga reporma, katulad sa mga naunang impeachment.  

Naninindigan kami na ang reporma ay dapat lagpas sa impeachment ni Sara, at ang pagtugon sa kahilingan ng mga manggagawa na baguhin ang maling patakaran na naglibing sa sweldo sa starvation at poverty level ay mas malaking inhustisya na dapat ituwid ng mga mambabatas. 

Reporma Lagpas kay Sara! Legislated Wage Hike, Now Na!

Maraming salamat!

Take Your Vow for a Wage Hike Too

We, the workers, also urge lawmakers to take an oath—not just as judges and prosecutors in the impeachment court—but to pass the long-pending legislated wage hike currently stalled in Congress. 

 

Earlier, Senate President Chiz Escudero took his oath as presiding judge, and today or tomorrow, senators may don their judicial robes to swear into their roles. 

 

However, the wage hike bill still lacks Senate conferees for the Bicameral Conference Committee. Some senators have even stated that they will thoroughly review the proposal they had already approved, which could stall its passage in the remaining two days. 

 

The impeachment trial that has begun will drag on into the 20th Congress, while the P100-P200 wage hike bill languishes in the bicameral stage, at risk of never reaching Malacañang to become law. 

 

The wage hike bill also faces intense pressure of a capitalist veto due to opposition from business groups and Bongbong Marcos’ economic managers. 

 

We believe Congress still has the persuasive power to pass this bill—even in the last two minutes of the session—if both chambers unite. 

 

Failure to do so would be a betrayal of duty and a surrender to the capitalist lobby against workers. 

 

This failure would only reinforce our belief that Sara’s impeachment alone is insufficient without accompanying reforms, as seen in past impeachments. 

 

Reform must go beyond Sara’s impeachment. Addressing workers’ demands to reverse policies that keep wages at starvation and poverty levels is a far greater injustice that lawmakers need to rectify.

 

Enough Lies, Pass the Wage Hike Now

Once again, the Economic Team of the Office of the President has shown us whose side they’re really on: Big Business. And honestly - who’s surprised?

 

Their so-called “strong reservations” against the PHP 200 wage hike are nothing new. They’ve simply recycled the same tired scare tactics of employers - this time wrapped in pseudo-scientific jargon and dressed up as "economic modeling."

Let’s be clear:

 

- The numbers they’re using? Dubious at best.

- The assumptions? Hidden.

- The intent? To kill the wage hike and protect corporate profits.

 

Where were these numbers during months of public hearings in Congress? Nowhere. Suddenly they appear-just in time to sabotage the people’s demand for wage justice. It’s not policy - it’s propaganda.

 

And what do they offer workers instead?

 

More empty promises: enforce the minimum wage law (which they can’t even do), promote collective bargaining (in a country where union rights are under attack), and link wages to productivity (when workers don’t even get regular jobs).

 

Let’s talk about reality:

* Less than 5% of workers are unionized.

* Contractualization is rampant.

* Red-tagging and harassment of unionists continue—with the full knowledge or blessing of the State.

 

How can you bargain when you're not even allowed to organize?

 

How can you fight for better wages when your job is disposable?

 

The truth is this: Workers have waited long enough.

 

For far too long, workers have endured soaring prices, stagnating wages, and broken promises from both employers and government.

 

The wage hike is long overdue!

It’s not charity - it’s justice.

It’s not inflationary - it’s humane.

It won’t crash the economy - it will lift millions out of poverty and fuel real growth from the bottom up.

 

To Congress:

 

You can side with the spin doctors of the elite - or you can stand with the people who build this country every single day.

 

Enough delays. Enough lies.

 

Pass the legislated wage hike NOW.

 

Press Statement

10 June 2025

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition

Workers troop to Senate for P200 wage hike as urgent reform along with impeachment

 

Members of labor groups Partido Manggagawa (PM) and the Nagkaisa labor coalition trooped to the Senate this morning for the final push for the legislated P200 salary increase. Some 400 workers and supporters joined the mobilization at the Senate to call for the immediate convening of the bicameral committee to come up with a final version. The Senate passed a P100 wage hike while the House of Representatives enacted P200.

 

“We demand that Congress proceed forthwith with organizing the bicam for a final version of the legislated wage increase,” asserted Judy Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

About 100 PM members accompanied Miranda in the Senate rally this morning. Later in the afternoon, the group also linked up with multi-sectoral organizations Kalipunan and Tindig Pilipinas which are calling for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to proceed.

 

PM is supporting the call for accountability by Sara Duterte but is insisting that social reforms—such as the wage hike—must be enacted aside from the impeachment of the Vice President. PM raised the demand “Reporma lagpas kay Sara” in the mobilization today. This was also the group’s position when the impeachment case was filed against the Vice President last year.

 

Miranda added that “The P200 wage hike is not excessive but responds appropriately to the wage recovery demand and workers’ just share in the fruits of production. Rigorous research belies the black propaganda and blackmail of employers against wage hikes.” Several academic studies in the Philippines and in other countries have found that substantial salary adjustments do not lead to job losses or higher prices.

 

CONVENE BICAM NOW: RECONCILE WAGE HIKES BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT

The Senate must urgently convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the proposed wage increases—P200 (House) and P100 (Senate)—and ratify a final version before Congress adjourns. With only three session days left, any delay at the bicam level risks killing this historic opportunity to grant workers a long-overdue, substantial wage hike. 

 

The constitutional duty of Congress does not end with passing bills; it includes ensuring their timely enactment. While the Senate must comply with its impeachment mandate, it should not neglect its equally critical obligation to workers struggling under stagnant wages. 

 

Even if the bicam beats the clock, the fight is not over: The bill still needs the President’s signature. But combined pressure from Congress and sustained mobilization by labor groups can break the gridlock. The government must act decisively—inaction will only embolden employers who have always opposed wage hikes, no matter how modest. 

 

The choice is clear: Side with workers demanding dignity or surrender to capitalist veto. We call on both chambers to prioritize the bicam, and on Malacañang to heed the people’s call. The time for collective action is now.

Guarded optimism on passage of the P200 wage hike

"This is good news, but workers are holding back their full joy over the House of Representatives’ passage of the proposed P200 wage increase," said Renato Magtubo, Chairperson of Partido Manggagawa.

 

This is because only three session days remain in the 19th Congress, and during this "hour of danger," the Bicameral Conference Committee must quickly come to an agreement, since the Senate had earlier passed only a P100 increase. After this, the agreed-upon version must be signed by the President to become law.

 

"However, if Malacañang and Congress truly want to, nothing is impossible. Even the impeachment of Sara Duterte could be pursued. That’s what we call political will — something workers always find lacking in government," Magtubo added.

 

Magtubo also said that workers have many more grievances that need to be addressed by Malacañang and Congress, such as the ending of contractualization or ‘endo’, which they will continue to fight for in the upcoming 20th Congress. 

PRESS STATEMENT
05 June 2025

Reaksyon sa pagpasa ng P200 dagdag-sweldo sa Kamara

“Magandang balita subalit pigil pa sa kasiyahan ang manggagawa sa pagkakapasa sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso sa panukalang P200 na dagdag-sahod,” pahayag ng Tagapangulo ng Partido Manggagawa na si Renato Magtubo.

Ito ay dahil may tatlong araw na lamang ang natitirang sesyon ng 19th Congress at sa loob ng ora de peligro na ito ay dapat magkasundo agad ang Bicameral Conference Committee dahil P100 naman ang naunang naipasa ng Senado. Matapos ito ay kailangang lagdaan ng Pangulo ang napagkasunduang bersyon para maging batas.

“Subalit kung talagang gugustuhin ng Palasyo at Kongreso, walang imposible. Kahit nga ang impeachment ni Sara Duterte ay kakayanin pa. Political will ang tawag dyan na siyang laging pagkukulang na hinahanap ng manggagawa sa gobyerno, dagdag ni Magtubo.

Sinabi pa ni Magtubo na marami pang mga hinaing ang manggagawa na kailangang aksyunan ng Palasyo at Kongreso katulad ng pagwawakas sa endo at patuloy itong ipaglalaban sa paparating na 20th Congress. 

PRESS STATEMENT
04 June 2025

Cabinet resignation is not a bold reset but just a marketing gimmick if not matched with policy shift

Rappler photo

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) criticized President Bong Bong Marcos Jr.’s call for the resignation of his entire cabinet as just a marketing gimmick and not a bold reset since it is not complemented by a policy shift that addresses hunger and poverty. President Marcos Jr. announced the cabinet revamp yesterday as his response to the loss of the administration senatorial slate and falling popularity ratings.

 

“The welfare of workers and the poor will not improve if there are new faces in the cabinet who implement the same policies of cheap wages, endo jobs and gutting of public services. Instead, labor groups want to see PBBM declare a bold reset in policies: certify the P200 wage hike as a priority legislation, support the security of tenure bill and return the Philhealth funds so it can scale up its services to members,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and re-elected Marikina councilor.

 

PM dared the administration to heed these concrete demands as an effective response to the discontent of voters as revealed in the recent polls and surveys. “PBBM also needs to shape up, not just his cabinet secretaries. It's not only the performance of the cabinet secretaries that should be reviewed and evaluated, but also PBBM's policies and programs that fail to address the serious problems of corruption, poverty, low wages, high prices of goods, and inadequate public services in health and education,” Magtubo explained.

 

To recall, last Labor Day, PBBM rejected the call for a legislated wage hike and instead asked the regional wage bords to respond to the demand for salary adjustments. Yesterday, the NCR wage board called for a consultation with labor groups. The group Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa attended the consultation but called on the NCR wage board to defer to Congress so that the latter can address the wage demand through legislation.

 

Magtubo added that “Cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the president and are thus his alter egos. Therefore, if the policies and programs fail to address the worsening problems, the primary responsibility lies with the president—not just his alter egos.”

 

Kapatiran is calling for a P200 national wage hike to recover the P126 erosion of wages due to inflation and P74 as share in the rise in labor productivity. PM is supporting Kapatiran’s demand for a legislated P200 salary increase. 

Labor group calls for ₱200 wage hike, urges NCR Wage Board to defer to Congress

Rey Almendras at NCR wage consultation 

 

Metro Manila — In a strongly worded statement delivered at the NCR wage consultation, the labor group Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (KAPATIRAN) called on the regional wage board to defer action on wage orders this year and instead support a legislated wage hike through Congress. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board–National Capital Region held a “Labor Sector Wage Consultation” yesterday afternoon at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

 

Rey Almendras, KAPATIRAN President, emphasized the worsening economic hardships faced by Filipino workers despite official claims of low inflation and declining unemployment. Citing recent survey data, Almendras highlighted that over a quarter of Filipino families are experiencing hunger, while more than half consider themselves poor—the highest levels seen in decades.

 

“The minimum wage—even with almost yearly increases—remains below the poverty threshold. Workers are starving while government figures paint a rosy picture,” Almendras said. KAPATIRAN pointed to the erosion of real wages, noting that the current ₱645 nominal daily wage in Metro Manila has a real value of only ₱519—₱126 short of its 2018 equivalent. The group argues that, when combining wage recovery with a just share in productivity gains, workers are entitled to no less than a ₱200 daily wage increase.

 

This, Almendras noted, is not just a demand but a constitutional right. “The Constitution mandates a living wage and a just share in the fruits of production. But workers haven’t felt either,” he said. “Despite rising productivity, the real wage hasn’t kept up.”

 

KAPATIRAN also expressed frustration over past wage orders issued by the NCR Wage Board, which fell far short of workers' demands—granting only ₱40 and ₱35 increases in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Kapatiran filed a P100 wage petition in December 2022.  “We’ve lost hope in the regional wage board. They’ve been blind and deaf to workers’ pleas. It’s time for a new path,” Almendras declared.

 

The group is now joining a broader coalition of labor organizations pushing for a national, legislated wage hike in Congress, citing the stronger prospects brought by the recent election of pro-worker legislators. In closing, Almendras issued a direct appeal to the NCR Wage Board: “Please refrain from issuing a wage order this year. Let Congress do its job. With workers’ actions inside and outside Congress, we hope to finally win our demand.” 

PRESS RELEASE

Rey Almendras

President, Kapatiran

KAPATIRAN calls for ₱200 wage hike, urges NCR Wage Board to defer to Congress

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

 

Metro Manila — In a strongly worded statement delivered at the NCR wage consultation today, the labor group Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (KAPATIRAN) called on the regional wage board to defer action on wage orders this year and instead support a legislated wage hike through Congress. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board–National Capital Region held a “Labor Sector Wage Consultation” this afternoon at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

 

Rey Almendras, KAPATIRAN President, emphasized the worsening economic hardships faced by Filipino workers despite official claims of low inflation and declining unemployment. Citing recent survey data, Almendras highlighted that over a quarter of Filipino families are experiencing hunger, while more than half consider themselves poor—the highest levels seen in decades.

 

“The minimum wage—even with almost yearly increases—remains below the poverty threshold. Workers are starving while government figures paint a rosy picture,” Almendras said. KAPATIRAN pointed to the erosion of real wages, noting that the current ₱645 nominal daily wage in Metro Manila has a real value of only ₱519—₱126 short of its 2018 equivalent. The group argues that, when combining wage recovery with a just share in productivity gains, workers are entitled to no less than a ₱200 daily wage increase.

 

This, Almendras noted, is not just a demand but a constitutional right. “The Constitution mandates a living wage and a just share in the fruits of production. But workers haven’t felt either,” he said. “Despite rising productivity, the real wage hasn’t kept up.”

 

KAPATIRAN also expressed frustration over past wage orders issued by the NCR Wage Board, which fell far short of workers' demands—granting only ₱40 and ₱35 increases in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Kapatiran filed a P100 wage petition in December 2022.  “We’ve lost hope in the regional wage board. They’ve been blind and deaf to workers’ pleas. It’s time for a new path,” Almendras declared.

 

The group is now joining a broader coalition of labor organizations pushing for a national, legislated wage hike in Congress, citing the stronger prospects brought by the recent election of pro-worker legislators. In closing, Almendras issued a direct appeal to the NCR Wage Board: “Please refrain from issuing a wage order this year. Let Congress do its job. With workers’ actions inside and outside Congress, we hope to finally win our demand.” 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Rey Almendras

President, Kapatiran

“P200 wage hike + P20 subsidized rice”—labor group

The group Partido Manggagawa called on the government to complement the roll out of the P20 subsidized rice with certification of the P200 wage hike if it is serious in responding to worsening hunger and poverty in the country.  “Offering cheap rice is not enough, as Malacanang seems to think. P200 wage hike plus P20 subsidized rice are initial steps to alleviate the conditions of poor and hungry Filipinos. We ask President Bong Bong Marcos to certify as urgent the pending P200 salary increase bill in Congress,” stated Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general.

Labor unions and workers groups are all set for nationwide rallies tomorrow to push their demand for a legislated wage hike.

·        Manila: Groups comprising National Wage Coalition will assemble along various points in España then march at 7:00 am to Mendiola for a joint program. PM and allied groups will assemble at Petron Blumentritt at 6:30 am

·       Cebu: Various labor groups will converge at Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City at 9:00 am for a joint program

·        Bacolod: Sugar farm workers and allied groups will hold an indoor assembly in the morning. In the afternoon, they will assemble at Rizal Elementary School then march to Bacolod Plaza afternoon

·        Iloilo: The coalition United Labor will hold a program at 1:00 pm in front of UP Visayas then march to the Provincial Capitol for a joint program

·        Iligan: Unions will hold a rally in the morning at the plaza with the city’s tripartite industrial peace council

Miranda insisted that “Filipino workers are amplifying their demands for higher wages, regular employment, and accessible public services amid worsening economic conditions. Recent surveys reveal the deepening crisis: over one in four Filipino families experience involuntary hunger, the highest rate since the pandemic, while more than half consider themselves poor, the worst in 21 years.”

She added that “Reality on the ground contradicts the government’s rosy economic claims of low inflation and unemployment. The reality is stark: minimum wages remain below the poverty threshold, endo is rampant, and public services like PhilHealth are being gutted to fund political patronage.”

Many of the Labor Day events tomorrow will be joint activities of different workers groups. “While political dynasties like the Marcoses and Dutertes battle for power and loot public coffers, workers face hunger and exploitation. Enough of elite theatrics—Labor Day must unite workers across factions, regions, and generations behind a shared platform. On Labor Day, labor groups will be rallying together despite electoral divides, prioritizing workers’ demands over partisan loyalties,” Miranda ended.

April 30, 2025

Workers Demand Wage Hike and Push Labor Agenda for Labor Day

 

 Amid economic hardship, workers demand higher wages, job security, and public services on Labor Day as political elites vie for power

 

·       Manila: Groups comprising National Wage Coalition will assemble along various points in España then march at 7:00 am to Mendiola for a joint program. PM and allied groups will assemble at Petron Blumentritt at 6:30 am

·       Cebu: Various labor groups will converge at Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City at 9:00 am

for a joint program

·       Bacolod: Sugar farm workers will lead the rally in the city

·       Iloilo: The coalition United Labor will assemble in the morning in front of UP Visayas then march to the Provincial Capitol for a joint program

·       Iligan: Unions will hold a rally in the morning at the plaza with the city’s tripartite industrial peace council

 

As the nation approaches Labor Day, Filipino workers are amplifying their demands for higher wages, regular employment, and accessible public services amid worsening economic conditions. Recent surveys reveal the deepening crisis: over one in four Filipino families experience involuntary hunger—the highest rate since the pandemic—while more than half consider themselves poor, the worst in 21 years. 

 

These findings contradict the government’s rosy economic claims of low inflation and unemployment. The reality is stark: minimum wages remain below the poverty threshold, contractualization (endo) is rampant, and public services like PhilHealth are being gutted to fund political patronage. 

 

Workers’ Demands

 

Workers demand a legislated wage increase and reject the regional wage board system that keeps provincial rates pitifully low. The Senate has approved a ₱100 hike, while the House passed ₱200. President BBM must immediately endorse a legislated salary increase.

·       Nationwide wage hike, not provincial rates

·       Regular jobs, not precarious endo contracts

·       Fully funded public services as a right, not subject to patronage

·       Respect for labor rights, including unionization and collective bargaining

 

Labor Day must spotlight the independent voice of the working class, whose agenda—higher pay, job security, affordable prices, and public services—are initial steps towards a lasting solution to mass suffering. 

 

Political Hypocrisy vs. Workers’ Unity

 

While political dynasties like the Marcoses and Dutertes battle for power and loot public coffers, workers face hunger and exploitation.

 

Enough of elite theatrics—Labor Day must unite workers across factions, regions, and generations behind a shared platform. 

 

On Labor Day, labor groups will be rallying together despite electoral divides, prioritizing workers’ demands over partisan loyalties. 

 

PM urges workers in key cities nationwide to join the Labor Day mobilizations to press for a P200 wage hike, regular jobs, quality public services, and affordable prices for basic goods and services.

April 28, 2025