Labor group challenges Tolentino on wage hikes

A labor group on Tuesday challenged newly appointed Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino to show whether he would bring change to the Department of Labor and Employment as workers press for higher wages, an end to provincial wage rates, and stronger protections against contractualization.

In a May 26, 2026, press statement, Partido Manggagawa said Tolentino’s appointment comes after what it described as poor performance by his predecessor, whom the group said was not close to workers.

Former Sen. Francis Tolentino was named acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment on May 25, replacing Bienvenido Laguesma, according to Malacañang reports.

“Prerogative ng Pangulo ang pagpili nang kanyang alter-ego at pinuno sa mga departamento at ahensya ng pamahalaan. Walang say dito ang manggagawa, kung kaya’t ang pagsalubong sa bagong talagang Kalihim ay sa paraan ng paghamon namin gustong idadaan,” Partido Manggagawa said.

(“It is the prerogative of the President to choose his alter ego and the heads of government departments and agencies. Workers have no say in this, so we want to welcome the newly appointed secretary by issuing a challenge.”)

The group said its central question for the new labor chief is whether he carries meaningful reforms for workers.

“Ang hamon ay kung may baon bang pagbabago si Sec. Tolentino sa DOLE? Ito ang nais naming marinig sa kanyang unang araw sa tanggapan,” it said.

(“The challenge is whether Secretary Tolentino is bringing change to DOLE. This is what we want to hear on his first day in office.”)

Partido Manggagawa cited pending proposals in Congress for a PHP 200 wage increase and the abolition of provincial wage rates.

The group also noted that wage-hike petitions ranging from PHP 200 to PHP 1,200 are pending before regional wage boards.

“Nakabinbin ngayon ang mga panukalang batas sa Kongreso para sa P200 dagdag-sahod at panukalang abolisyon ng provincial rate. Kasabay nito ay nakahain din sa regional wage boards ang mga petisyon wage hike mula P200 hanggang P1,200. Nariyan pa rin ang problema sa endo at mga hadlang sa malayang pag-uunyon,” Partido Manggagawa said.

(“Bills are now pending in Congress for a PHP 200 wage increase and the proposed abolition of provincial rates. At the same time, wage-hike petitions ranging from PHP 200 to PHP 1,200 have also been filed before the regional wage boards. The problem of endo and barriers to free union organizing remain.”)

The group asked whether Tolentino could push and speed up action on the proposed wage increase, wage-rate reform, contractualization, and barriers to union organizing.

“Kaya ba ng bagong Kalihim na ang mga ito ay itulak at pabilisin?” it said.

(“Can the new secretary push these forward and speed them up?”)

Partido Manggagawa also said job creation should be a priority amid the current economic situation, including green jobs and reforms in public employment programs.

“Sa harap ang kasalukuyang krisis ay tumataas din ang ang unemployment rate kaya mahalagang agenda ang job creation, kabilang ang green jobs kung saan lead agency ang DOLE, at reporma sa public employment program,” Partido Manggagawa said.

(“In the face of the current crisis, the unemployment rate is also rising, so job creation is an important agenda, including green jobs, where DOLE is the lead agency, and reforms in the public employment program.”)

The group said Tolentino, as a lawyer, should understand that social justice requires prioritizing labor welfare over business profits.

“Mahirap na trabaho ang magbalanse ng interes ng manggagawa at kapitalista. Pero bilang abogado ay alam dapat ni Secretary Tolentino na sa usapin ng social justice, mas matimbang ang kapakanan ng paggawa kaysa sa tubo ng negosyo. Ito ang mas mahalaga sa manggagawa, dahil dito nagsisimula ang tama at unang hakbang ng isang pinuno,” it said.

(“It is difficult work to balance the interests of workers and capitalists. But as a lawyer, Secretary Tolentino should know that in matters of social justice, the welfare of labor carries more weight than business profit. This is what matters more to workers, because this is where the correct and first step of a leader begins.”)