The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Wednesday filed an urgent motion to intervene before the Navotas Regional Trial Court, seeking the immediate dismissal of a petition filed by the Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations, Inc. that aims to block the implementation of the P85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Wednesday filed an urgent motion to intervene before the Navotas Regional Trial Court, seeking the immediate dismissal of a petition filed by the Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations, Inc. that aims to block the implementation of the P85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.
The labor group questioned why another petition was filed while a separate case challenging the wage order remains pending before a court in Pasig.
"Kaya nga kami ay nalilito kung bakit meron na ngang TRO sa PASIG RTC, hindi pa na fully resolved 'yon, e nag-file na naman ng panibagong kaso itong Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations," TUCP spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate said.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 earlier issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation of NCR Wage Order No. 27, which grants a P85 daily minimum wage increase in two tranches: P60 on July and another P25 in January next year.
The petition in Pasig was filed by construction firms Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. Readycon president Jesus Ignacio argued that the wage increase would reduce company profits, force job cuts or work suspension, and affect the firm's competitiveness in bidding for projects.
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Oñate said the latest petition lacks sufficient legal basis.
"Una-una, itong petisyon ng Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federation, kami naniniwala na wala ho itong batayan. Dito sa entire petition nila, walang malinaw na grave at irreparable injury sa kanila.
"Dahil lamang sa P60 na first tranche ng wage increase, gusto ba nila na solohin na lang lahat ng huli, solohin na lang lahat ng kita at ayaw ibahagi sa kanilang mga empleyado?"
He also argued that the petition was filed before the wrong forum.
"Ang kanilang prayer ay status quo ante-order na parang may same practical effect na suspindihin yung wage order na ibinigay na ng regional wage board. Ito po ay malinaw na walang jurisdiction, 'yong mga korte, dapat nag-aapela sila sa NWPC, hindi rin nila ginawa."
Oñate noted similarities between the petitions filed before the Pasig and Navotas courts.
"July 28 sila nag-file ng petition. At magtataka rin ho kayo, bakit yung exact same petition, halos, iniba lang yung pangalan ng petitioner, 'yon din yung i-file ngayon sa Navotas RTC naman. Gusto ba nilang ubusin ang RTC sa Metro Manila?"
He described the filing of multiple petitions as part of what he called an "anti-worker" strategy.
"Ay, malinaw ho itong pattern. Tawag nga namin dito anti-worker na playbook na ito. Ang problema kasi, na-open na yung floodgates.
"Kaya nga hinihiling namin sa Korte, pati yung sa Pasig RTC, na ibasura na yung temporary restraining order."
According to Oñate, prolonged uncertainty over the wage order could create confusion for both workers and employers.
"Kasi kung magkakaroon, pinag-usapan natin pattern, may mas matindi pang pwede mangyari. Dahil wala ng kalinawan ngayon kung kailan ba dapat ibayad yung sweldo, babawiin ba o forever suspended na yung wage increase."
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