Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino clashed during a House budget hearing Wednesday over the implementation of a P85 wage increase in Metro Manila.
The exchange took place during the House Committee on Appropriations’ interpellation on the Department of Labor and Employment’s proposed 2027 budget.
San Fernando raised the issue of the P85 wage increase and questioned whether DOLE could implement Wage Order No. 27 despite a case pending before the Pasig Regional Trial Court.
Tolentino said the matter depended on the court’s decision and that he did not want to argue over the issue.
The labor secretary also mentioned that the Office of the Solicitor General has filed an urgent motion seeking to resolve the case. Tolentino added that he understood San Fernando’s sentiments on the issue.
San Fernando, however, pointed to the authority of the labor secretary in setting and implementing wage increases. He questioned why Tolentino could not say that the wage order would be implemented.
Tolentino explained that the law, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, would determine the proper interpretation of the matter.
The explanation further heated the exchange, prompting San Fernando to move for the deferment of the DOLE budget hearing.
The motion, however, was defeated during the committee vote.
Seven members voted in favor of San Fernando’s motion, while 31 voted against it.
The hearing proceeded despite the disagreement over the P85 wage increase and the pending court case involving Wage Order No. 27.
