TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL-2 P4:25
SENATE 
S. No. 12
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY PESOS (P150.00) MINIMUM 
WAGE INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
If we take a closer look at the historical prices of basic goods, commodities and 
services like food, electricity and transportation, one thing has been consistent - they 
rise every single day. If prices are rising, shouldn't the wages of our workers rise too?
Filipino workers who wake up before sunrise, endure long travel and work hours 
and make countless sacrifices just to put food on the table and provide for the basic 
needs of their families deserve a fair and decent wage increase - a minimum wage 
that could tie them up until their next payday and adequate to keep up with the cost 
of living.
In the 19th Congress, both Houses of Congress have approved its own version 
of a minimum wage increase bill with the objective of balancing the concerns of 
employers and the needs of the workers. The said bill could have been the golden 
opportunity of the government to give our workers the relief that they have long been 
calling for. Unfortunately, we have lost that opportunity.
This bill therefore seeks to continue the progress that was championed by the 
Senators of the 19th Congress - to raise the daily minimum wage of Filipino workers 
by One hundred and fifty pesos (P150.00). This representation firmly believes that


this amount is not enough for a decent living wage, however, it is seen as a step 
forward toward fairness and restoring the dignity of labor.
This measure is for every Filipino worker who lives from paycheck to paycheck 
but never falters from completing the job. This is not just about giving them a wage 
increase, this is about justice, compassion and the value of hard work.
It is for these reasons that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
OnNHOOD PADILLA
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 12
25 JUL-2 P4 :25
Kli
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY PESOS (P150.00) MINIMUM 
WAGE INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. -This Act shali be known as the "P150 Daily Minimum
2 
Wage Increase Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to aiieviate the iiving
4 
conditions of the ordinary Filipino though policies that provide for a decent and
5 
humane standard of living and improved quality of life, particularly of the working
6 
ciass by ensuring the right of iabor to its just share in the fruits of production, to
7 
guarantee the workers' right to a living wage, and to promote social justice through
8 
the adoption of measures calculated to ensure the well-being and economic security
9 
of all members of the community.
10 
Sec. 3. Wage Increase. - The daily rate of all minimum wage workers in the
11 
private sector, regardless of employment status, including those in contractual and
12 
sub-contractual arrangements, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, shall be
13 
increased by One hundred and fifty pesos (P150.00) upon the effectivity of this Act.
14 
Nothing in this Act shali prevent the respective Regionai Tripartite Wages and
15 
Productivity Boards to grant additional increases to the workers and employees on the


1 
basis of their determination pursuant to Republic Act No. 6727, otherwise known as
2 
the "Wage Rationalization Act", as amended.
3 
Sec. 4. Correction of Wage Distortion. - Where a wage distortion occurs as a
4 
result of the increase in minimum wage under this Act, the employer and the union,
5 
or the employer and the workers, in the absence of a union, shall negotiate to correct
6 
the distortion in accordance with the provisions of Article 124 of Presidential Decree
7 
No. 442 or the "Labor Code of the Philippines", as amended, and other existing laws,
8 
rules and regulations.
9 
Sec. 5. Non-Chargeabiiity of Prior Increases. - No wage increase shall be
10 
credited as compliance with the increase prescribed herein unless expressly provided
11 
under valid collective bargaining agreements: Provided, That such wage increase was
12 
granted in anticipation of the minimum wage increase under this Act; Provided,
13 
further. That where such increase is less than the prescribed increase under this Act,
14 
the employer shall pay the difference. Such increases shall not include anniversary
15 
wage increases, merit wage increases and those resulting from the regularization or
16 
promotion of employees.
17 
Sec. 6. Non-Diminution of Other Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be
18 
construed to reduce any existing allowance and benefit of any form under existing
19 
laws, decrees, issuances, executive orders, and any contract or agreement between
20 
workers and employers.
21 
Sec. 7. Inspection by the Department of Labor and 14 Empioyment (DOLE). -
22 
The DOLE shall conduct inspection of payroll and other financial records kept by the
23 
company or business to determine whether the workers are paid the prescribed
24 
minimum wage increase and other benefits granted by law. The said inspection may
25 
take place at any time of the day or night, whenever work is being undertaken. In
26 
unionized companies, the DOLE inspectors shall always be accompanied by the
27 
president or any responsible officer of the recognized bargaining unit or of an
28 
interested union in the conduct of the inspection. In non-unionized companies,
29 
establishments or businesses, the inspection should be carried out in the presence of
30 
a workers' representative


1 
Sec. 8. Penalties. - Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership,
2 
association or entity violating any provision of this Act shall be punished by a fine of
3 
not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred
4 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) plus moral damages for each affected worker and the
5 
costs of litigation including attorney's fees, or imprisonment of not less than two (2)
6 
years nor more than four (4) years, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided,
7 
That if the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, association or any
8 
other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed upon the entity's
9 
responsible officers including, but not limited to, the president, vice president, chief
10 
executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner. The employer
11 
concerned shall be ordered to pay an amount equivalent to double the unpaid benefits
12 
owing to the employees: Provided, That the payment of indemnity shall not absolve
13 
the employer from the criminal liability imposable under this Act: Provided, further,
14 
That any person convicted under this Act shall not be entitled to the benefits provided
15 
for under the Probation Law.
16 
In case a fine and/or indemnity is decreed by the National Labor Relations
17 
Commission (NLRC) against person/s who violated the provisions of this Act and
18 
cannot be immediately satisfied because of the refusal to pay, or in case of the
19 
unavailability or inadequacy of funds, the bank deposits, financial interests and other
20 
personal property not capable of manual delivery in the possession or control of third
21 
parties of the owner in case of sole proprietorship or the assets of the corporation,
22 
association or any other entity, shall be garnished. If such properties are not enough,
23 
movable and immovable properties may be levied to fully satisfy the imposed fines
24 
and/or indemnities.
25 
Failure on the part of any corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or
26 
any other entity to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be a ground for non-
27 
renewal of business permits.
28 
Sec. 9. Construction in Favor of Labor. - All doubts in the implementation and
29 
interpretation of the provisions of this Act, including its implementing rules and
30 
regulations, shall be resolved in favor of labor.


1 
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Labor and
2 
Employment shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
3 
implementation of this Act.
4 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
5 
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
6 
and effect.
7 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
8 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
9 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
10 
Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
11 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
12 
circulation.
Approved,