The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) issuance of Administrative Order 264 Series of 2026 resolves nothing and clarifies nothing about the TRO on the P85 wage hike. Thus, it does not diminish the need for trade unions and DOLE to secure the immediate lifting of the Pasig TRO.
Likewise, AO 264 does not address the structural defect of regionalized wage setting. Reform of provincial rates requires congressional action and a new law.
This is the bigger problem to confront. For this, labor solidarity and direct actions are needed to stop capitalists’ resistance to change and endless maneuvers, like the TRO.
