'Saddened' DOLE chief to comply with P85 NCR wage hike suspension

MANILA, Philippines — A court order halting Metro Manila's P85 daily wage hike has left workers waiting for relief, with Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino saying DOLE will comply while the case moves through the judiciary.

"Malungkot ako para sa mga manggagawa pero susunod tayo sa utos ng hukom," Tolentino said in a DOLE statement on Thursday, July 30.

(I am sad for the workers, but we will follow the judge's order.)

"Kung ano man ang naging basehan ng husgado sa paglabas ng TRO [Temporary Restraining Order], hayaan na po natin na sila ang magpaliwanag," he added.

(Whatever the court's basis was in issuing the TRO, let them explain it.)

DOLE said Tolentino expressed sadness over the suspension of the National Capital Region wage increase, but stressed that he respects the judicial process.

The department said it would allow the court to explain the basis of its decision while it continues to carry out its mandate to protect workers under existing law.

On Thursday, a Pasig court suspended the P85 daily wage hike in Metro Manila after its validity was questioned in a petition by Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-11 Builders Inc.

Instead of a 72-hour temporary restraining order, the court opted for a status quo ante order, according to the report.

The pre-hike wages will be maintained while the case is raffled to a court that will hear the petition.

The wage hike took effect on July 25. Employers had warned of layoffs due to the increase.

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