The House of Representatives has blamed the Senate for the collapse of the proposed ₱200 legislated wage hike for private sector workers, citing its failure to convene a bicameral conference committee before the 19th Congress adjourned sine die on Wednesday night, June 11.
In a statement, House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante condemned the Senate’s inaction, saying the upper chamber ignored repeated calls to reconcile the differing versions of the wage hike bills.
“Let’s not sugarcoat it — the Senate killed the ₱200 wage hike bill," Abante said.
"Last night was the final session of the 19th Congress. No bicam. No compromise. No wage hike. And the reason is simple, ayaw ng Senado makipag-usap. Gusto nila, tanggapin na lang ng tao ang ₱100 nila. Bakit? Bakit binabarya ng Senado ang mga manggagawa?” she firmly added.
Abante noted that members of the House panel were fully prepared to defend the ₱200 wage hike during the bicam, only to discover that the Senate had no intention of sitting down to discuss the proposal.
The Senate’s final offer was a ₱100 wage increase presented as a “take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum,” which the House, according to Abante, found unacceptable without further negotiation.
"Wala silang balak na makipag-usap — ang gusto nila, susunod lang kami sa gusto nila," she stressed.
"That’s not how democracy works, and that is not how we should serve the people,” Abante added.
She emphasized that the proposal was not radical or reckless, but a “responsible, well-considered measure” born out of rising inflation and cost-of-living concerns.
However, the Senate responded not with dialogue, but with silent rejection and haste.
Abante also emphasized that this was not the fault of the House, asserting that they had done their part and that accountability must be demanded from the Senate.
"Ginawa namin ang aming trabaho pero ang Senado, iniwan sa ere ang manggagawa," Abante reiterated.
Despite the setback, Abante assured labor groups and Filipino workers that the fight is not over.
“This is not the end. Hindi barya ang kailangan ng mga manggagawa — ang kailangan nila ay sahod na makatao, sahod na makatarungan," she concluded.
The House vowed to refile and pursue the ₱200 daily wage increase bill in the upcoming 20th Congress.
