Secretary Francis N. Tolentino reaffirmed that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will remain steadfast in defending the rights and welfare of Filipino workers.
Addressing concerns raised by labor groups during a demonstration outside the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila, Secretary Tolentino emphasized that the agency is actively taking concrete legal steps to safeguard the recently approved National Capital Region (NCR) minimum wage increase.
To ensure a robust defense of the wage hike, DOLE has deployed a dedicated team of legal experts to assist the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG). This combined legal effort will represent the government’s stance in the upcoming hearing regarding the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued against the wage implementation.
While Secretary Tolentino noted that the judge behind the TRO should clarify the legal grounds for halting the wage increase, he reiterated that DOLE maintains full respect for the judicial process.
“The Department will not back down from its mandate to protect our workforce,” said Secretary Tolentino. “While we respect the authority of the courts and adhere to the rule of law, we stand firm in our commitment to ensure that workers receive the just compensation they deserve.”
DOLE continues to engage with labor representatives and key stakeholders to maintain open communication while the legal proceedings unfold.
