Health workers from the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) in Sampaloc, Manila staged a flash mob and noise barrage on Friday to protest the temporary halt on the implementation of the ₱85 wage increase for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Joining the protest was Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando, who criticized the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152, which stopped the implementation of the wage hike.
San Fernando argued that the court order violated provisions of the Labor Code, citing Article 126, which he said prohibits courts from issuing injunctions against wage orders issued by wage boards.
“Ano ang nakasulat sa batas? Article 126 of the Labor Code, prohibition against injunction. Ibig sabihin, walang korte ang pwedeng maglabas ng temporary restraining order sa anumang wage order na ilalabas ng komisyon o ng mga wage boards,” San Fernando said.
The lawmaker also criticized Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, accusing him of siding with employers instead of workers amid the dispute over the wage increase.
“Secretary Tolentino, hindi namin kailangan ng drama mo. Huwag mo kaming patantarin ng drama, Secretary Tolentino. Bilang Secretary ng Labor and Employment, ang dapat na tindig mo ay pabor sa mga manggagawa, hindi pabor sa mga malalaking negosyante,” he said.
The ₱85 NCR wage increase was previously set to take effect before being temporarily suspended following the court-issued TRO. Labor groups and workers have continued to call for the immediate implementation of the wage adjustment, while business groups have raised concerns over its impact on employers.
