Senate Raises Alarm Over Daily Minimum Wage Delay
Senator Joel Villanueva sharply criticized the House of Representatives on Monday, June 9, expressing doubts about their commitment to passing the measure increasing the daily minimum wage of private sector workers. Villanueva highlighted that the Senate has yet to receive the official copy of the House’s version of the bill.
“All that was submitted to the Senate were the names of the conferees to the bicameral conference committee. Why is that? The copy of the bill that they passed on third and final reading, until now is nowhere here in the Senate,” Villanueva told reporters during an interview.
This delay is causing difficulties for the Senate as it struggles to adjust its legislative calendar. Villanueva fears the lack of time to properly review the bill could hinder its approval.
Legislative Hurdles and Tight Deadlines
Aside from the wage bill, the Senate must also conduct hearings for the Commission on Appointments and prepare for impeachment proceedings scheduled for June 11. The Senate is due to adjourn sine die the same day, putting further pressure on timely action.
“If it is here and officially received by the Senate, then it will be part of the agenda and the Senate President can designate the conferees to the bicameral conference committee,” Villanueva explained.
The problem, he said, is that only the names of the congressmen joining the bicam have been provided, but the Senate remains unaware of the bill’s contents. Meanwhile, many stakeholders urge the Senate to adopt the House version.
Wage Hike Discrepancy Sparks Concern
The Senate already passed its own wage hike bill last year, proposing a P100 increase. In contrast, the House approved a P200 increase on June 3. Villanueva questioned the sincerity behind these proposals, asking, “Are they serious?”
He emphasized the impact of the proposed P200 hike: “That’s P6,000 per worker, per month. If you have 5,000 workers, times 200, so P6,000 a month.”
He warned against giving false hope to workers, noting the confusion caused by calls for the Senate to adopt the House’s bill without clarity on its details.
House Responds Amid Calls for Prompt Action
Meanwhile, the House moved to transmit House Bill No. 11376 at the start of Monday’s plenary session. Still, Villanueva expressed concern about the House’s delayed action on important legislation.
“Stop calling out the Senate, because we are doing our job,” he said.
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri also voiced frustration over poor communication from House counterparts regarding the wage bill.
“The bills in the LEDAC are there to guide us. But certain legislation is needed urgently by each member of Congress and the House, which we think is necessary for the people,” Zubiri said.
Balancing Worker Needs and Business Viability
Zubiri shared worries that the P100 increase is more feasible for businesses, while the P200 hike might cause layoffs or closures.
“I agree, the P200 will sabotage the law. I heard that if that is passed, the President will end up vetoing the bill. So I would appeal that we adopt the P100 increase because for me that is the best way to balance the needs of the workers and the employers,” he remarked.
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