THE House of Representatives, through its official spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante, condemned the Senate’s refusal to convene a bicameral conference committee on the legislated wage hike bill, calling it a deliberate act that led to the bill’s death on the final night of session.
“Let’s not sugarcoat it — the Senate killed the ₱200 wage hike bill,” said House Spokesperson Atty. Abante. “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 nang buo ang ₱100 nila. Bakit? Bakit binabarya ng Senado ang mga manggagawa?’”
Abante shared that House bicameral conferees had been fully prepared to meet and reconcile the differing versions of the bill in good faith — but the Senate’s inaction left them dumbfounded.
“Tumaas ang kilay ng bicam conferees namin nang tanungin kung ano ang nangyari. They were ready to sit down, defend the ₱200 proposal, and fight for labor — only to find out the Senate had no intention of meeting at all,” she said.
The House had approved its version of the bill—which grants a ₱200 daily wage increase—on third reading and submitted its bicameral panel several days prior to adjournment. The Senate, however, only named its conferees on the eve of sine die and refused to engage in bicam talks, effectively insisting that the House adopt its watered-down ₱100 version without discussion.
“We were ready to deliberate. We came in good faith. But what the Senate gave us was a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum. ‘Wala silang balak makipag-usap. Gusto nila, sunod lang kami.’ That’s not how democracy works. That’s not how we serve the people.”
Atty. Abante emphasized that the House version was carefully crafted to include exemptions and safety nets for MSMEs, proving it was both pro-labor and economically responsible.
“This was not a reckless proposal. It was a responsible, well-considered measure. But instead of dialogue, ‘ang ibinalik sa amin ay tahimik na pagtanggi at pagmamadali.’”
She stressed that the public deserves to know the truth: the wage hike didn’t fail due to lack of effort—it failed because of the Senate’s unwillingness to deliberate.
“The people deserve accountability. ‘Hindi ito pagkukulang ng Kamara. Ginawa namin ang trabaho namin. Pero ang Senado, iniwan sa ere ang manggagawa.’”
Atty. Abante concluded with a strong message: the fight continues.
“This is not the end. ‘Hindi barya ang kailangan ng manggagawa. Ang kailangan nila—sahod na makatao, sahod na makatarungan.’ The House stands with labor. And we will keep fighting.”
