KAMANGGAGAWA Partylist Representative Eli San Fernando called President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a “complete snub of Filipino workers”, citing the absence of any pronouncement on wage reform, labor rights, or meaningful economic relief for working families.
“Wala kaming narinig para sa mga manggagawa. Deadma. Etsa-puwera. Isinantabi ang mga manggagawa sa SONA,” San Fernando said in an interview at the House of Representatives. “Walang kahit anong pahayag tungkol sa legislated wage increase. Ni hindi nabanggit ang provincial wage system na matagal nang nagpapahirap sa mga manggagawa sa probinsya.”
San Fernando noted that President Marcos’ silence reflects exactly what labor groups feared: that the administration continues to prioritize the demands of big business over the needs of ordinary workers.
“A few days before the SONA, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said they expect the President to say nothing about wage hikes—and that is exactly what happened,” he said. “Nakinig ang Pangulo sa malalaking kumpanya at negosyante. Isinantabi ang mga manggagawa.”
Citing the June 2025 Pulse Asia Survey on urgent national concerns, San Fernando underscored that controlling inflation and raising workers’ wages remain the top concerns of Filipinos.
“Sabi ng Pangulo, makinig tayo sa mamamayan. Pero ang pangunahing hinaing nila: sahod, trabaho, oportunidad. Sa halip, ang narinig natin ay mga motherhood at generic statements—investment, training, competitiveness. Hindi ’yan ang kailangang marinig ng mga manggagawa,” he said.
When asked whether the recently approved ₱50 wage hike in NCR suffices, San Fernando was blunt: “Sa bilis ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin at serbisyo, kailangan natin ng legislated wage increase. In fact, hindi pa nga ito increase—recovery pa lang ito. Ipinapanumbalik lang nito ang halagang nawala sa sahod ng mga manggagawa.”
‘Di sapat ang barya-barya
He added: “Hindi na sapat ang barya-baryang dagdag mula sa regional wage boards. Ang kailangan ay makabuluhan at pantay na dagdag sahod sa buong bansa. At ang tanging paraan para makamit ’yan ay sa pamamagitan ng batas. Nasa kamay ng pamahalaan ang solusyon.”
He criticized the administration’s long-standing excuse of “studying” wage proposals: “’Pag-aaralan natin,’ ‘titingnan natin’—bulok na script na ’yan. Tatlumpu’t anim na taon nang inuulit-ulit ang linyang ’yan habang patuloy ang pagkalugmok ng mga manggagawa.”
Despite the President’s silence, San Fernando said this only strengthens the resolve of labor advocates in Congress to push for wage reforms.
He reaffirmed support for House Bill No. 88, filed by TUCP Partylist, and confirmed his role as co-author. He added that proponents will invoke Section 48 of House Rules to skip the first reading and fast-track the measure directly to plenary for second reading.
“Kahit hindi binanggit sa SONA, buo at matibay ang paninindigan ng 20th Congress, kasama ang TUCP Partylist at iba pang mga kasamahan sa Kamara gaya nina Cong. Jolo Revilla, na ipaglaban ang legislated wage increase.”
His message to the President was direct: “Kung totoo ang sinabi mong dapat pakinggan ang manggagawa at mamamayan, patunayan mo—certify the legislated wage increase as urgent.”
“Kapag hindi mo ito cinertify, tatandaan ka namin na pumapanig at takot sa mga oligarko at malalaking negosyante,” he concluded.
