DOLE wants injunction on P85 wage hike lifted

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has asked a Pasig court to lift the preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of the P85 salary increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino filed a motion for reconsideration before the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152, seeking to reverse the writ of preliminary injunction issued against Wage Order No. 27.

The DOLE maintained that the wage order was issued through the established tripartite wage-setting process and in line with the government’s mandate to protect workers’ rights.

In its motion, the DOLE sought the dismissal of the case on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a cause of action. It also asked the court to deny the petitioners’ application for a writ of preliminary injunction.

The P85 wage increase was scheduled to take effect last month.

Employers had opposed the amount, which Tolentino had described as a “historic high,” warning that it would hit micro and small enterprises particularly hard amid ongoing challenges such as high fuel prices.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Foundation for Economic Freedom also warned against the economic impact of the increase.