Tolentino files bid vs injunction on NCR wage hike

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Monday filed a motion for reconsideration before Branch 152 of the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC), seeking to lift its injunction against the first tranche of the P85 minimum wage increase for workers in the National Capital region (NCR).

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said its chief filed the motion to lift the injunction against NCR Wage Order No. 27, which directed the first tranche of P60 to take effect on July 25.

READ: Labor group slams further delay in P85 NCR wage hike

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Acting on a petition by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc., the Pasig court had issued a temporary restraining order, then a writ of preliminary injunction against the wage order—despite Article 126 of the Wage Rationalization Act, or the Republic Act No. 6727 stating in part that “No preliminary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order may be issued by any court.”

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READ: SC urged to review TRO on Metro Manila wage hike

The court, however, noted the argument by the two companies about the wage hike being “unprecedented,” as it also cited Article 124 of the Labor Code, provisions of which were incorporated by RA 6727.

Tolentino said the P85 increase was significant for workers who live from paycheck to paycheck, adding that his agency “strongly express[es] concern over this setback [on] social justice.”

The second tranche of P25 is not due until Jan. 20, 2027. /cb