Partido Manggagawa: Pasig RTC TRO on ₱85 Wage Hike Suffers from Two Fundamental Legal Defects

 

Partido Manggagawa (PM) strongly opposes the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pasig City, Branch 152, which halted the implementation of Wage Order No. NCR-27 granting an ₱85 minimum wage increase to workers in Metro Manila.

 

Based on our legal analysis, this TRO suffers from two clear legal defects.

 

First, it violates Article 126 of the Labor Code. The law explicitly provides that no preliminary injunction, permanent injunction, or TRO may be issued by any court, tribunal, or other entity against proceedings before the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) or the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs). Despite this prohibition, the Pasig RTC issued a TRO directly restraining the RTWPB-NCR and the NWPC from implementing the wage order—the very act that the law expressly forbids.

 

Second, and more importantly, the petitioners filed their case in the wrong venue. Under Article 123 of the Labor Code, the exclusive remedy available to any aggrieved party questioning a wage order is to appeal to the NWPC within ten (10) days from the publication of the wage order. If dissatisfied with the NWPC’s decision, the proper recourse is to file a petition with the Court of Appeals—not with a Regional Trial Court. This procedure has been the governing rule since the enactment of Republic Act No. 6727, and the Supreme Court has consistently held that the primary jurisdiction of the NWPC must first be exhausted before the regular courts may intervene.

 

Instead of following this statutory process, Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. went directly to the Pasig RTC through a petition for declaratory relief—effectively engaging in forum shopping to circumvent the tripartite dispute resolution mechanism specifically established by law for wage order controversies.

 

This reveals the real strategy behind the TRO. The employers did not challenge the wage order through the legally prescribed process before the RTWPB and the NWPC. Instead, they shifted to a petition for declaratory relief to gain access to a regular court and obtain a TRO. The real issue is not the ₱85 wage increase, but the deliberate sidestepping of the proper remedy in favor of an improper venue.

 

Partido Manggagawa calls on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to vigorously assert these two legal arguments during the August 3 hearing: the violation of Article 126 and the failure to follow the exclusive remedy provided under Article 123. The courts must not be allowed to become instruments for delaying a workers’ benefit that has already gone through the full deliberative process of the Regional Wage Board—a process in which these same employers themselves participated as stakeholders.

 

The ₱85 wage increase is not a gift. It is a right earned by workers, supported by evidence, grounded in due process, and guaranteed by law. It must not be held hostage by a TRO that itself runs contrary to the very law it is supposed to uphold.

 

PRESS STATEMENT

August 1, 2026

 

PM REACTION TO PBBM’s SONA

The President’s address contained many technical reports, but it failed to meaningfully address the pressing concerns of workers, such as wages, wage reform, jobs, and other labor issues—even as President Marcos acknowledged that workers and the middle class should not be forgotten.

 

The proposed expansion of tax exemptions may benefit above-minimum wage earners, but it provides no relief to minimum wage workers and those earning even less, who have long been exempt from income tax. 

 

There was also no mention of the proposed P200 legislated wage hike and the abolition of provincial rate through the enactment of the proposed National Minimum Wage Law.

 

On the issue of corruption, the President reduced it to his personal grievance and the sacrifice involved in pursuing charges against Martin Romualdez. However, his speech fell short of proposing systemic reforms such as an anti-political dynasty law and electoral reforms.

 

On lowering electricity prices, removing the systems loss charge and the VAT on it will have only a minimal impact on consumers’ bills because these account for only a small portion of total electricity costs. The 12% VAT on generation, transmission, and distribution charges remains in place. Likewise, the persistence of monopolies in the power sector and the country’s continued dependence on imported fossil fuels for energy security remain the fundamental drivers of high electricity prices.

 

While the government’s endorsement of the US-led Pax Silica initiative is expected to generate high-quality jobs, the President made no mention of its potential implications for the country’s electricity and water security, nor of the risks it poses to the existing jobs of Filipino workers in the platform economy.

PRESS STATEMENT

Partido Manggagawa

07.28.2026

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Dapat parehong happy--Kapatiran

 

The Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (Kapatiran) finds it unfair seeing the salaries of soldiers and all uniformed service personnel increasing by 15% in the next three years, while workers in the private sector were left stretching a P500 noche-buena package this holiday season.

 

“While Kapatiran is not against raising the salaries of our security personnel, leaving the private sector workers stretching out their current low wages under the same economic condition faced by soldiers’ families is simply unfair,” said Kapatiran Chair Rey Almendras.

 

He added that “Hindi man kayang gawing pantay ang sahod ng manggagawa sa sektor ng seguridad at sektor ng ekonomiya, huwag namang happy ang sa government side kahit may problema sa korapsyon, habang sad ang nasa private sector na ang kaunting wage hike ay saglit lang kinakain ng implasyon.”

 

Kapatiran has been asking for a wage increase for wage recovery of not less than P100 since 2024, both at the regional wage board levels and in Congress for a legislated wage hike.

 

Private sector workers could have been happier if alongside the Palace announcement of a pay hike for soldiers is a Presidential certification to expedite passage of pending legislated wage hike bills.

 

Inflation-adjusted wages were 19.7%-26.1% lower than the current minimum wage in November, according to the latest computations prepared by Business World. In peso terms, the current minimum wage of P695 in NCR has a real value of P546.71 only.

 

Multiplied by 22 days, a private sector worker in NCR receives P15,290 of minimum wage in a month. On the other hand, the basic salary for an entry level member of PNP is P29,668.

 

Yet both live under the same economic conditions and share the same dreams of a joyful celebration of the holiday season.

 

“Kaya naman naming pagkasyahin ang P500 na noche buena, pero ang mas sigurado kami ay DTI family lang ang happy sa diskarteng Pinoy sa larangan ng pagtitipid at pagtitiis,” Almendras concluded. 

 

PRESS RELEASE

9 December 2025

KAPATIRAN

Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang 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

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. 

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

Nagkaisa calls on workers to up the pressure on pending wage hike bills in Congress

 

The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition on Wednesday urged workers to keep up the pressure on both the Labor Committee and their respective district representatives, demanding swift action on the long-pending P150 wage hike bill before Congress adjourns sine die next week in preparation for the 2025 national and local elections.

 

The group issued the call as it welcomes the commitment made by House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a meeting with labor leaders to act on the pending wage hike bills.

 

Affirmatively the labor committee has calendared a public hearing on Thursday, January 30, to wrap up its deliberations on the wage hike proposals.

 

Nagkaisa said the P150 wage hike bill has been stalled in the Labor Committee since March 2024, while wage orders from regional boards remain insufficient against the ever-increasing cost of living.

 

The coalition stressed the urgency of the situation, urging Congress and Malacañang not to delay further action. “We cannot afford to wait any longer. With every passing day, the value of our wages continues to diminish as inflation continues to rise,” the statement said.

 

With less than a week left in the 19th Congress’ session before the long election break, labor groups remain hopeful that the wage hike bill may still beat the red light.

PRESS RELEASE

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

29 January 2025

 

2024 in Review: Workers caught between economic difficulties and political intramurals

In 2024, workers faced severe challenges in their wages, benefits and working conditions as they were caught in the vise of economic difficulties brought about by the cost-of-living crisis and escalating intramurals between the two leading political dynasties in the country.

 

While the average inflation of 3.2% in 2024 was almost half compared to 2023, it continued to erode the purchasing power of wages. Relatively higher price increases in food and utilities also disproportionately hit the bottom rungs of the income deciles, meaning the formal and informal workers. Thus, the demand for another round of minimum wage increases in 2024 was a recurring theme for organized labor. The campaign for a wage hike was two-pronged with wage bills for a P150 increase filed at Congress and at the wage boards.

 

The Senate approved a P100 increase in the minimum wage in February 2024. This advance was a result of organized labor successfully leveraging the rift between the upper and lower house of Congress over the latest move to amend the Constitution. The Senate stood pat against charter change and instead pushed for the wage bill’s passage. However, the reverse was the case in the House of Representatives. Despite conducting hearings on the P150 wage hike bill, the House Labor Committee sat on the proposal and basically killed it. In contrast with this inaction on the workers’ demand for a wage hike, the House was fast and furious with the quadcomm hearings on the drug war and extra-judicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and the investigation on the controversial budget of the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte and the Department of Education during her tenure.

 

The year ended with no legislated wage hike but with wage orders for several regions. Notwithstanding the wage orders, minimum wages in all the regions—including those which increased, like Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Cebu and Central Luzon—remained below the official poverty line. Even though the threshold was assailed for being too low—as the controversy over the P64 daily food budget revealed. With the wage boards perpetuating a system of poverty wages, calls for the abolition of provincial rates became popular.

 

On another front, organized labor and civil society allies fought a defensive war to keep Philhealth funds devoted to improving benefits services to members and providing services for indigents as mandated by the Universal Health Care Act. P60 billion of Philhealth’s funds were transferred by President Bong Bong Marcos Jr. to fund unprogrammed items in the national budget before the Supreme Court stopped in October the last tranche of P29.9 billion.

 

Another battle erupted in December when the Congressional bicameral conference committee removed the subsidy for Philhealth along with cuts in other social services. The labor coalition Nagkaisa led protests in Metro Manila and Cebu—including a big rally in Mendiola—to call for the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy and social services budget. But President Marcos Jr. did not heed the popular clamor as he signed the national budget by year end with the much-assailed budget insertions for ayuda kept intact. Among these was the P26 billion unprogrammed budget for AKAP which has been criticized as funding for electoral patronage. As if on cue, the COMELEC allowed the distribution of ayuda even during the midterm elections this year—breaking with long-established rule of prohibiting the use of public money for vote buying. This means that formal and informal workers will now have to beg trapos for assistance for medical and other emergencies instead of getting health insurance as a right.

 

Even as demands for higher pay, lower prices, more jobs and decent work remain very popular issues during the election period, prospects are bleak that the polls will result in positive outcomes for workers given that political dynasties—which are evolving from fat to obese—dominate the landscape. Workers have no allies either in the two main political dynasties—the House of Polvoron and the House of Fentanyl—which will be fighting for supremacy in May 2025.

 

Workers will have to endure worse economic difficulties as political infighting heightens in 2025 and the remaining years of the Marcos, Jr. administration. Nonetheless, this situation also motivates organized labor to engage with public outrage over wanton government corruption and dynastic political dominance. A big multi-sectoral rally this month promises to jumpstart a robust movement for good governance, in which workers’ demands should be embedded and integral. 

Press Statement

January 4, 2025

Season of discontent as unions file notices of strike over CBA deadlocks

 

An increasing number of unions are filing notices of strike over deadlocks with management over negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “This is a season of discontent as workers fight for increases in wages and benefits against companies which are acting like Scrooges. The recent wage orders in different regions do not impact unionized workers who earn more than the minimum wage,” stated Judy Miranda, secretary general of Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

A case in point is Union Motor Corporation in Otis, Manila, a dealer of Mitsubishi cars. The union filed a notice of strike over deadlock in CBA talks last November 12. Union members also voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike on November 22. Cyrus Salamon, president of the Union Motor Sales Corporation Employees Association, explained that “Since November 28, we are negotiating with management under the auspices of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board. Management has finally offered a counter proposal, so we are hopeful for an agreement that is acceptable to union members. Still, the notice of strike remains as we continue to fight for our just demands.”

 

Miranda bared that aside from Union Motor, the faculty union of a big university in the Visayas also has a pending notice of strike due to a CBA deadlock. She added that the dispute at the logistic company J&T Express was also on the brink of a strike but was recently averted through a timely agreement. “Last month, the provincial bus company Mark Eve’s Transport was hit by a strike over refusal of management to bargain with the union. The strike ended with management’s recognition of the union and an offer for the CBA. All these disputes reveal seething labor unrest over employers’ refusal to share with their workers the fruits of production,” Miranda elaborated.

 

Salamon clarified that the union is asking for improvements in the salary, rice subsidy, retirement pay and signing bonus. “Our demands are realistic and based upon the company’s financial capability,” he insisted.

 

Miranda said that a union and management of a tobacco factory is also having CBA talks and while talks have not reached a deadlock, the two sides are still far apart in terms of the union proposal and management counterproposal. “Again, economic demands by workers for improved wages and benefits mirror the difficulties faced by workers due to the high cost of living. Capitalists can easily afford these worker demands as labor productivity has increased by more than 50% over the last two decades while real wages have remained stagnant. In other words, the economic pie has become bigger, but the slice received by workers has remained the same,” she expounded.

 

PM and the Nagkaisa labor coalition are pushing for a P150 legislated wage hike as one pathway for workers to recover the lost purchasing power of their salaries. This was one of the main demands in the recent Bonifacio Day mobilizations across the country.