Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Friday opposed a temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the implementation of an approved wage increase, urging Malacañang to challenge the suspension and push for immediate relief for workers amid rising living costs.

Hontiveros, one of 21 senators opposing the court order issued by a Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge, said the government must prioritize ensuring that the wage hike is enforced without further delay, especially as Filipinos grapple with higher prices and the impact of recent weather disturbances.

“Yun talaga yung bottom line na huwag nang patuloy na masuspend yung implementasyong iyan,” Hontiveros said in an interview. “Lalo na ngayong panahon ng bagyo, mataas ang presyo ng pagkain at lahat-lahat na kailangan natin araw-araw.”

The senator noted that the Senate had adopted a resolution calling on the courts to lift the suspension of the ₱85 minimum wage increase for workers in Metro Manila.

The pay hike, approved by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the regional wage board, was set to be implemented in phases — ₱60 initially, followed by an additional ₱25.

She said the increase, though modest, would provide much-needed relief to workers and their families.

Hontiveros also called on the executive branch, particularly the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and DOLE, to contest the TRO and defend the wage order.

She argued that under the Labor Code, courts are not authorized to suspend wage orders issued by wage boards. Appeals, she said, should instead be filed before the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

“Malinaw din naman kasi sa ating batas sa labor code, sa Articles 126 at 123, bawal po na may korte ang makapaglabas ng suspension sa wage increase na iniutos po ng wage board,” Hontiveros said.

“Kung meron pong mga employers na gustong mag-appeal, ang pag-apila po ay sa Wages and Productivity Commission, hindi rin po sa Korte.”

The senator described the TRO as unprecedented, saying it may be the first time a wage increase has been halted by a court order.

“Eighty-five pesos na lang nga po, maliit kung tutuusin, pero kahit papaano, dagdag relief sa ating mga manggagawa at kanilang pamilya,” she said, expressing hope that the suspension would be lifted soon to allow the wage hike to take effect.

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