Benise Balaoing

Labor rights advocates join workers as they march along España Boulevard in Manila to mark Labor Day on Friday, May 1, 2026. The group pushed for higher wages, job security, and the protection of workers’ rights. Protesters attempted to proceed toward the US Embassy but were stopped by police along Kalaw Avenue during the mobilization.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SC urged to intervene after RTC issues preliminary injunction vs. P85 wage hike

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Labor groups urged the Supreme Court to act on their petition for certiorari and prohibition in relation to the P85 wage hike following the issuance by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 152 of a preliminary injunction order. </p><p>Last week, labor groups filed a petition for certiorari following the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/30/pasig-court-grants-tro-halting-ncr-wage-hike-2218" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">temporary restraining order (TRO)</a> issued by the Pasig court.</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" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Labor groups file petition at SC vs. Pasig court’s TRO on P85 wage hike</a></div><p>In their manifestation filed Tuesday before the high court, the groups noted that the RTC issued on August 13, 2026, an order granting the application of Readycon Trading and Construction Corporation and R-II Builders, Inc. for a preliminary injunction.</p><p>“What began as a temporary restraint has become a continuing injunction,” the labor groups said. </p><p>The groups told the SC that Batas Pambansa Blg. 224, which expressly amended the general framework governing TROs under Rule 58 of the Rules of Court, preserved the rights and rules <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/13/labor-groups-denounce-alleged-injunction-order-vs-ncr-wage-hike-2056" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pertaining to injunctions</a> contained in agrarian, labor and social legislation. </p><p>They also said the workers who bear the direct burden of the court’s preliminary injunction order were not heard. </p><p>“A court cannot fairly balance both sides of the scale while one side is still outside the courtroom,” the labor groups said. </p><p>The groups also stressed that aside from the Pasig RTC, the Navotas City Regional Trial Court is also being asked to act upon the P85 wage increase order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wags and Productivity Board - National Capital Region.</p><p>“The situation therefore strengthens petitioners’ submission that the jurisdictional question calls for a single, authoritative resolution from this honorable court,” the labor groups said.</p><p>The groups also stated that even if the companies have already posted a P10 billion bond before the Pasig RTC, it cannot cure an injunction that the law supposedly does not allow. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/14/dole-hits-court-s-preliminary-injunction-vs-ncr-wage-hike-1523" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Hindi katanggap-tanggap&#x27;: DOLE-NCR chief hits court&#x27;s preliminary injunction vs wage hike</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/11/akbayan-labor-activists-urge-sc-to-probe-pasig-court-s-tro-vs-wage-hike-1132" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Akbayan, labor activists urge SC to probe Pasig court’s TRO vs wage hike</a></div>

<p>Labor groups urged the Supreme Court to act on their petition for certiorari and prohibition in relation to the P85 wage hike in Metro Manila.</p>

Labor groups urged the Supreme Court to act on their petition for certiorari and prohibition in relation to the P85 wage hike in Metro Manila.