Makabayan senatorial bet vows to push for P1,200 minimum wage nationwide

The Makabayan party’s 11 senatorial bets formalized their bid and filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) before the Commission on Elections in Manila on Friday, October 4, 2024. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — If elected, a senatorial aspirant under the Makabayan coalition will push for the across the board ₱1,200 minimum wage nationwide.

Jerome Adonis, who is among the 11 senatorial bets of the left-wing bloc, made this remark after he filed his certificate of candidacy at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

“Kung sakali po na papalarin tayong maging senador, ang unang-una pong gagawin natin ay itataas natin ang sahod ng mga manggagawang Pilipino sa 1,200 pesos kada araw dahil ‘yon po ang pangangailangan,” Adonis told reporters after the filing.

(If I become fortunate enough to win a Senate seat, the first thing I’ll do would be to increase the minimum wage of ₱1,200 a day because this is the call of the situation.)

His proposal is almost double that of the current minimum wage in Metro Manila at ₱610 to ₱645 and almost quadruple that of the Bangsamoro region at ₱325.

“Hindi na talaga nagkakasya ang sahod na natatanggap ng mga manggagawang Pilipino,” he said.

(The salary of Filipino workers is no longer enough.)

Adonis also said there is a need to abolish the regional wage boards nationwide.

“Ito ay mekanismo sa pambabarat sa sahod ng mga manggagawa,” he said.

(It is a mechanism to shortchange workers of their salary.)