Report Senate Criticised for Blocking P200 Wage Hike Bill in Congress

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In a dramatic turn of events, the Senate's refusal to convene a bicameral conference committee during the final session of the 19th Congress has led to the demise of a proposed legislation that sought to increase the daily minimum wage by P200. This decision has been heavily criticised by the House of Representatives and various labour groups, spotlighting tensions within the legislative process and highlighting concerns over worker rights.

 

House spokesperson Princess Abante accused the Senate of deliberately obstructing the wage hike bill, describing their inaction as a "deliberate act that led to the bill’s death on the final night of session." The House's version of the bill, aiming for a P200 increase, was passed on the third reading on June 4. However, the Senate, through Sen. Joel Villanueva, pushed for the House to accept their earlier proposal of a P100 increase—an offer Abante dismissed as a "watered-down" version.

 

Abante expressed disbelief at the stalemate, noting that the House was prepared to negotiate and reconcile differences. "Our bicam conferees were ready to defend the P200 proposal and fight for labour, only to realise the Senate had no intention of meeting," she remarked. The Senate’s insistence on their version left the House with what Abante called a "take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum," opposing the foundational democratic principles of negotiation and compromise.

 

Labour groups and politicians alike have voiced strong disapproval of the outcome. Kammanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando lambasted the Senate's decision as a "monumental betrayal" of the Filipino working class, arguing that the wage hike could have provided much-needed relief to millions of low-income workers. "Instead, what we got was delay, disregard, and excuses," San Fernando lamented.

 

The sentiment was echoed by the ACT Teachers party-list, which accused the Senate and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of favouring big businesses over worker welfare. Representative France Castro criticised the Senate for prioritising political alliances over justice. "While the Senate allows exploiters to get away, it denies even a little relief to the workers. This is the height of injustice," Castro said.

 

Economic experts have also weighed in, noting the disparity between the current minimum wage and the cost of living. According to Ibon Foundation, a family of five needs a daily wage of P1,222 to live decently, while the current minimum wage stands at P645. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for wage reform to address the economic realities faced by many Filipino families.

 

The uproar following the Senate's decision lays bare the critical divide between legislative priorities and the needs of the populace. As the nation reflects on this legislative impasse, the focus remains on addressing the broader issues of economic inequality and ensuring that the rights and welfare of Filipino workers are upheld in future legislative endeavours.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-06-12