Senate and House Clash Over P200 Minimum Wage Bill in Philippines

In a significant legislative dispute, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri expressed strong opposition to the House of Representatives' recent passage of a bill mandating a P200 increase in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers. During a press conference on June 10, 2025, Zubiri cautioned that the House's last-minute measure could undermine progress made by the Senate on a more moderate proposal (Senate Bill No. 2534), which suggests a P100 salary increment.

The Senate, having already approved its version of the wage hike in February 2024, seeks to balance the needs of workers with the economic realities faced by employers, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). 'I hope they would just adopt the Senate version and pass it into law because our workers need an additional boost to their income,' Zubiri stated, emphasizing that the Senate's proposal is less likely to be vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has previously indicated the need for a balanced approach to wage adjustments.

Senator Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, echoed Zubiri's concerns, noting that the House had not yet transmitted the final version of its wage bill, which was passed on June 4, 2025. 'I don’t want to give false hopes to our workers because there are those calling for the Senate to adopt [the House version]. But what do we adopt?' Villanueva remarked.

The conflict highlights a broader debate about wage policy in the Philippines, where the government aims to improve living standards for workers while ensuring economic stability. The Philippine government’s own economic data indicate a precarious balancing act; according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the inflation rate was recorded at 5.5% in May 2025, which complicates the wage increase discussions.

House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza has called for an expedited bicameral conference to reconcile the differing versions of the wage hike bills before the 19th Congress concludes. Mendoza stressed the urgency of providing workers with necessary relief, arguing against the perspective that higher wages would deter investment. 'We are eager to work urgently with our Senate counterparts to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the wage hike bills,' he said.

Zubiri, however, cautioned that if the House persists with the larger P200 increase, it could lead to a presidential veto, jeopardizing the overall goal of improving workers’ conditions. He remarked, 'While we would want the P200 [salary increase] for Filipino workers, there’s a big chance that it would just be vetoed by President Marcos.'

The ongoing debate over the wage hike also reflects broader economic concerns in the Philippines, where business leaders have voiced apprehension about the impact of significant wage increases on employment rates and business viability. The Employers Confederation of the Philippines has previously warned that mandated increases could lead to job losses, particularly in sectors already strained by the pandemic's lingering effects.

As this legislative battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Senate and House will navigate their differences. The outcome will not only affect the lives of Filipino workers but will also set a precedent for future wage policies in the nation. If the Senate's proposal prevails, it may foster a more collaborative legislative environment, while the House's insistence on a higher wage could lead to further polarization in political negotiations.

The implications of this decision extend beyond immediate wage concerns, affecting economic growth, investment attractiveness, and the overall stability of the labor market in the Philippines.