Palace rejects wage bill criticism

MALACAÑANG pushed back against criticisms that the administration has failed to advance labor-related legislation, clarifying that wage-setting and tax reforms fall under the authority of Congress.

During a livestreamed news briefing on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said that the Executive branch does not hold legislative powers over national pay scales.

“Regarding the claim that no law was proposed for a national minimum wage, this is not the job of the President — this is the job of our lawmakers,” she said in Filipino.

“Removing the VAT (value-added tax) is not in the hands of the executive secretary… This is also held by and in the hands of Congress,” she added.

These remarks follow recent claims from Party-list Rep. Elijah R. San Fernando that Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto and economic managers are blocking a proposed measure to abolish provincial wage rates, with Malacañang urging lawmakers to pursue and deliberate their own bills while noting that the President has already facilitated wage increases through existing tripartite mechanisms.

The President earlier noted concerns over a legislated pay hike of P150-200 due to its economic implications and instead pushed for region specific-wage adjustments. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking