Senators demand immediate lifting of TRO on P85 NCR wage hike

Senators from both the majority and minority blocs have called for the immediate lifting of the temporary restraining order against the P85 Metro Manila wage increase.

In Senate Resolution 577, 21 senators urged Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 to immediately lift the TRO on the implementation of Wage Order No. NCR-27 and allow Article 126 of the Labor Code as amended by Republic Act 6727 to prevail.

Article 126 of the Labor Code prohibits courts, tribunals, or other entities from issuing injunctions or TROs against proceedings before the National Wages and Productivity Commission or the regional wage boards.

"The Senate stands with the Department of Labor and Employment, the National Wages and Productivity Commission, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, and the millions of workers across the country in protecting our workers' right to a living wage that properly recognizes the worth of their labor and gives them the means to maintain dignified lives for themselves and their families," it read.

In a press statement, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said he sought the help of Senator Robin Padilla to gather the signatures.

"Pirmado na po ito ng lahat ng senador. Nagpatulong tayo kay Sen. Robin Padilla na magpapirma sa minority at ako naman, sa majority. Walang partido, walang kulay dapat ang pagsusulong natin ng kapakanan ng manggagawa,” he added.

(This has been signed by all the senators. I sought the help of Sen. Robin Padilla to get the signatures of minority senators and I, the majority. There should be no party, no color in advancing the welfare of the workers.)

Only Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ronald dela Rosa did not sign the resolution. Marcoleta and Estrada are currently detained, while Dela Rosa is in hiding following the International Criminal Court's issuance of an arrest warrant against him.

Zubiri said the TRO would set a bad precedent "because if a P30 increase is approved in Cagayan de Oro or Northern Mindanao, anyone could just go to a friendly court and seek a restraining order."

He cautioned that allowing one legal challenge to hold the wages of more than 1.1 million workers in abeyance could expose future wage adjustments in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to similar delays.

“Habang nakabinbin ang dagdag-sahod, wala namang TRO laban sa pagdating ng mga bayarin at laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, pamasahe at pagkain,” Zubiri added.

(While the wage hike is still pending, there is no TRO against bills and increase in the prices of goods, food, and fare.)

The P85 adjustment was approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region following consultations among representatives of labor, employers, and government and an assessment of prevailing socioeconomic conditions.
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Under Wage Order No. NCR-27, an initial P60 increase took effect on July 25, 2026, while the remaining P25 is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2027, raising the daily minimum wage to P780 in the non-agriculture sector and P743 in other covered sectors.—AOL, GMA News