Advocate groups protest the return of articles of impeachment against VP Sara Duterte to the lower chamber and 19th Congress' failure to pass the wage hike bill on June 12, 2025. Photo from Kilusyong Mayo Uno

MANILA — Various groups from different sectors held an indignation protest at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Thursday, Independence Day.

The protest was in response to the Senate’s move to return the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House and the 19th Congress' failure to pass the wage hike bill.

"Pinatay na nga 'yung sa dagdag sahod, pinatay pa 'yung usapin ng impeachment," said Gabriel Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas.

(You killed the wage increase and you even killed the issue of impeachment)

House adjourns 19th Congress without ratifying wage hike bill

According to Brosas, certain senators should inhibit themselves, especially those who have shown bias by pushing for the dismissal of the case against Duterte.

She specifically mentioned Sens. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Imee Marcos, and Robin Padilla. 

"Dapat ituloy ang impeachment trial, pero ngayon naantala dahil may ganitong machinations ang Senado, parang iniisahan ang sambayanang Pilipino," she added.

(The impeachment trial but now that it has been delayed by machinations at the Senate, it is like the Filipino people are being duped)

According to Renato Reyes, president of BAYAN, the protests will continue, with the people holding those in power accountable in the streets.

"Kung ayaw nilang magkaroon ng paglilitis sa loob ng Senado, kung ginagawa nilang inutil ang impeachment court, merong paglilitis na magaganap sa labas sa kalsada sa iba't ibang komunidad, dahil gusto ng tao na malaman 'yung katotohanan dito sa pagwawaldas ng confidential funds at korapsyon ng Office of the Vice President," Reyes said.

(If they do not want a trial at the Senate, where they render the impeachment court, there will be a trial in the streets and in communities because the people want to know the truth about the misuse of confidential funds and the corruption at the Office of the Vice President)

He said this will be among the key issues they will bring up leading to the President’s State of the Nation Address on July 28.

Labor groups also condemned President Marcos, saying the failure to pass the P200 wage hike bill before the 19th Congress ended was deliberate.

Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary-General Jerome Adonis pointed out that the House bill had not even been transmitted to the Senate when the Palace and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s economic team raised its potential impact on the economy.

"Simple lang ang mensahe ayaw nila sa dagdag sahod. Wala siyang pakialam, ang mas pinapaboran niya ay kumita lang ng malaki ang mga negosyante," he said.

(The message is simple, they are opposed to a wage hike. Marcos Jr. doesn't care)

 Marcos to look into economic implications of proposed P200 wage hike: Palace

He added Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero refusing to hold a bicameral conference committee hearing on the House and senate versions of the bill shows he did not want a wage hike either.

Escudero said Wednesday that there was no more time to hold a bicam meeting.

The groups vowed to continue pushing for a wage hike, and said they will refile a bill in the 20th Congress seeking a P1,200 across-the-board increase for all private sector workers nationwide.