Marcos not a dictator amid Congress deadlock on wage hike

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang rejected accusations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is obstructing the proposed ₱200 legislated wage hike, in response to criticisms from progressive groups that he failed to certify the bill as urgent before Congress adjourned.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president continues to respect the independence of the legislature and that he is not against raising wages.

“Diktador ba ang Pangulong Marcos Jr.? Hindi naman po,” Castro said in a press briefing on Friday.

[Translation: Is President Marcos Jr. a dictator? He is not.]

“Hayaan na lang po muna natin ang usapin na ’yan sa Kongreso,” she added.

[Translation: Let us leave the matter to Congress for now.]

Castro said the president is not blocking the measure but is allowing the legislative process to unfold.

“Ang pangulo naman po ay hindi tutol sa increase, wage hike, dahil ito po naman ay makakabuti sa mga manggagawa,” Castro said.

[Translation: The president does not oppose a wage hike because it would benefit workers.]

She said a mechanism is in place for reviewing and adjusting salaries annually through regional wage boards.

The House of Representatives approved the P200 wage hike on third and final reading. The Senate passed its version in 2023. The president did not certify the bill as urgent to fast-track its approval.

This prompted criticisms from the Kabataan party-list group, which accused the president of allowing the measure to stall in the interest of big business.

“Marcos Jr. simply does not want to upset his foreign and local elite business allies,” the group said.