Marilyn Cahatol

Workers are seen at the Precast Concrete Yard in Santa Rosa, Laguna on June 13, 2024. The factory is in full swing as they produce concrete parts which will then be assembled to finish the South Commuter Railways Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178685952102620240613-construction-workers-scrp-JC-1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Workers are seen at the Precast Concrete Yard in Santa Rosa, Laguna on June 13, 2024. The factory is in full swing as they produce concrete parts which will then be assembled to finish the South Commuter Railways. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate Labor Committee, urged the Department of Labor and Employment Sunday to implement assistance measures for minimum wage earners while two construction firms question an P85 wage increase before a Pasig Court.</p><p>Villanueva stressed that Article 126 of the Labor Court bars courts from issuing an injunction or restraining order against proceedings of the National Wages and Productivity Commission or the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.</p><p>He said that when litigation &quot;short-circuits&quot; the wage-setting process, &quot;it is workers who absorb the uncertainty while the case drags on.&quot;</p><p>Prices continue to rise even while the court hears the case filed by Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc., Villanueva said, &quot;making current wage levels no longer sufficient for workers to live decently.&quot;</p><p>The P85 minimum wage hike was set to be implemented in two tranches: P60 which supposedly took effect on July 25, and the final P25 set on Jan. 20, 2027.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/10/workers-rising-costs-cannot-wait-for-litigation-on-wage-hike-labor-lawyer-2317"><strong>Workers, rising costs cannot wait for litigation on wage hike — labor lawyer<br/></strong></a></div><p>The Pasig Regional Trial Court issued a writ of preliminary injunction against the hike following a petition filed by Readycon and R-II Builders, who say the increase would reduce profits and operations.</p><p>DOLE National Capital Region Director Sarah Buena Mirasol has <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/14/dole-hits-court-s-preliminary-injunction-vs-ncr-wage-hike-1523">said </a>that the agency will comply with the preliminary injunction. She also noted that it is working with the Office of the Solicitor General on the case.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/12/labor-groups-file-petition-at-sc-vs-pasig-court-s-tro-on-p85-wage-hike-1233"><strong>Labor groups file petition at SC vs. Pasig court’s TRO on P85 wage hike</strong></a></div><p>“Workers should not have to bear the cost of a legal question that is not of their making,” Villanueva said.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XWtR0cLCfdE?si=4tfho1-ERKkxZWag" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate Labor Committee, urged the Department of Labor and Employment Sunday to implement assistance measures for minimum wage earners while two construction firms question an P85 wage increase before a Pasig Court.</p>

Sen. Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate Labor Committee, urged the Department of Labor and Employment Sunday to implement assistance measures for minimum wage earners while two construction firms question an P85 wage increase before a Pasig Court.

Villanueva urges DOLE to help minimum wage earners while hike in limbo

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Villanueva urges DOLE to help minimum wage earners while hike in limbo

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 16, 2026 02:27 PM PHT

Read More:

wage hike

Joel Villanueva

minimum wage

Department of Labor and Employment

Readycon Trading and Construction Corp.

R-II Builders Inc.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.