The House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the Senate’s refusal to convene a bicameral conference committee on the legislated wage hike bill, calling it a deliberate act that led to the bill’s death on the final night of session.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero said bills raising the minimum daily wage are not a priority of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council or LEDAC.
In a related development, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) appealed to President Marcos to defer the approval and implementation of a proposed P200-daily minimum wage increase, citing its potentially damaging impact on the already struggling agriculture sector.
“Let’s not sugarcoat it—the Senate killed the P200 wage hike bill. Last night was the final session of the 19th Congress. No bicam. No compromise. No wage hike,” House spokesperson Princess Abante said.
According to Abante, the Senate refused to tackle the measure. “They (senators) want workers to just fully accept the P100. Why? Why is the Senate short-changing the workers?” she said, referring to the upper chamber’s version of the bill—P100 as opposed to the P200 proposed by the House.
Abante said the House bicameral conferees had been fully prepared to meet and reconcile the differing versions of the bill in good faith, but the Senate’s inaction left them dumbfounded.
“Our bicam conferees raised their eyebrows when they were asked about what happened. They were ready to sit down, defend the P200-proposal, and fight for labor—only to find out the Senate had no intention of meeting at all,” she said.
The LEDAC, composed of Cabinet secretaries and Congress leaders, lays down the economic policies of the administration, which are supposed to be turned into law.
Escudero said House lawmakers who pushed the P200 wage hike should have brought it up before the LEDAC.
The House had approved its version of the bill, granting a P200 daily wage increase on third reading, which was submitted to the bicameral panel days prior to adjournment.
The Senate, however, only named its conferees on the eve of the last session and refused to engage in bicam talks, effectively insisting that the House adopt its watered-down ₱100 version without discussion.
“We were ready to deliberate. We came in good faith. But what the Senate gave us was a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum. They had no plan to discuss (the measure). They just wanted us to follow. That’s not how democracy works. That’s not how we serve the people,” Abante said.
Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday appealed to the House of Representatives to adopt the Senate’s version of the wage hike bill which proposes a P100-increase in the daily minimum wage.
Villanueva said he had formally written to the chairperson of the House Committee on Labor to request support for the Senate’s measure and avoid the need for a bicameral conference committee.
Villanueva said he received word Wednesday morning from a House member who was amenable to adopting the Senate version.
He also cited a letter from the National Wage Coalition urging both chambers to support the Senate proposal in the interest of the workers.
However, he later noted that an unconfirmed draft letter circulating online allegedly indicates the House remains keen on pushing for its version of the bill, which calls for a PHP200 wage hike.
“Unfortunately… there is a draft letter going around on social media [saying] they will fight for a bicam and that they believe PHP200 is just and balanced. But this is not an official letter,” he said.
Asked what would happen if the House insisted on a P200-hike, Villanueva said it would lead to a bicameral conference which he warned could derail the bill’s passage.
Abante explained that the House version was carefully crafted to include exemptions and safety nets for the micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), proving it was both pro-labor and economically responsible.
Despite this setback, Abante said the House will continue its fight for decent wages for the labor sector.
“This is not the end. Workers don’t need loose change. What they need are humane wages, just wages. The House stands with labor. And we will keep fighting,” she said.
Economic managers also warned on Wednesday that proposed across-the-board minimum wage hikes of P200 and P100 could have dangerous repercussions, including higher inflation, unemployment, and slower economic growth.
In a joint position paper by the economic managers of the Marcos administration, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said a P 200 increase in wages could raise inflation by about 2 percentage points (ppts), while a P100 hike may add 0.7 ppts.
“The substantial minimum wage increase may lead to higher production costs, which could result in higher prices that may disproportionately affect low-income households,” the economic managers said.
In a letter dated June 11, 2025, PCAFI president Danilo V. Fausto raised concerns over the bill’s passage by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on June 3, pointing out that the measure lacked consultation with key stakeholders, particularly farmers and fisherfolk.
“While we are not against any wage increase to uplift the income of our workers, our farmers and fisherfolk, because of the very nature of their livelihood, will not be covered by any wage increases,” he said.
He warned that wage hikes would still indirectly burden food producers through increased prices of prime commodities and higher operational costs.
The group also highlighted a 1.6 percent contraction in agricultural growth in 2024 and warned that the proposed wage hike could deter much-needed investment and expansion across the agricultural value chain.
PCAFI urged the President to hold off on any wage adjustments until the sector has fully recovered and achieved sustainable growth.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “‘Senate killed the wage hike bills,’ says House spokesperson”
