Nelson Morales

Recto denies Leviste’s accusation of blocking minimum wage increase in 19th Congress

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Executive Secretary Ralph Recto denied an accusation by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste that a call from Recto resulted in there being no approved bicameral conference committee report for the increase of the minimum wage. Speaking to the press on Friday, Leviste claimed that the Senate told labor groups and members of Congress on the last day of the 19th Congress that Recto made the call on the matter.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/14/doe-fines-leviste-s-solar-philippines-p24-b-for-failed-commitments-1151">DOE fines Leviste’s Solar Philippines P24-B for failed commitments</a></div>But when asked about this allegation, Recto told ABS-CBN News on Sunday, “Not true. He should pay what he owes govt. 24b.” The Department of Energy (DOE) earlier said it is imposing P24 billion in fines on Solar Philippines Power Projects, which Leviste founded. “Sinabi din ng Senado sa ibang mga labor groups at mga congressman sa huling araw ng 19th Congress kaya hindi inaprubahan ang bicam report para sa pagtaas ng minimum wage dahil tumawag si Secretary Ralph Recto,” Leviste alleged. Both chambers of Congress did not reach a compromise on a minimum wage hike then, as the lower house wanted a P200 a day increase, while this was only half the amount under the Senate’s proposal. The House adjourned sine die for the 19th Congress without ratifying the bill.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/6/11/house-adjourns-19th-congress-without-ratifying-wage-hike-bill-0120">House adjourns 19th Congress without ratifying wage hike bill</a></div> Leviste also alleged this had to do with the impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. &quot;Sa huling araw ng 19th Congress, ang pinagdedebatihan sa Senado ay ‘yung archiving ng impeachment… Hindi ito kina-calendar dahil sa pagtutol ng kabinete na pinamumunuan ni Executive Secretary Ralph Recto na hindi dapat maging basehan para sa agenda ng Kongreso dahil tayo ay separate. Pero ang lumalabas ang ehekutibo ang nagdidikta sa agenda ng Kongreso,” Leviste added.

When asked about this allegation, Recto told ABS-CBN News on Sunday, “Not true. He should pay what he owes govt. 24b.”

When asked about this allegation, Recto told ABS-CBN News on Sunday, “Not true. He should pay what he owes govt. 24b.”