Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno lauded Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla and Quezon City Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo for co-authoring House Bill 375 also known as the P125 Wage Hike Bill, saying the representatives are welcome additions to the growing ranks of legislators supporting the bill.
“We welcome Cong. Padilla and Cong. Castelo in the workers’ fight for a significant wage hike. We are glad that more and more legislators are recognizing the necessity of a significant wage hike as immediate relief from intensifying poverty and hunger in the country,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
Among the bill’s co-authors are Reps. Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani, Dan Fernandez of Laguna, Arnel Cerafica of Taguig, Amado Bagatsing of Manila, Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina, Angelo B. Palmones of Agham Partylist.
They joined the ranks of the bill’s original co-authors: Bayan Muna Reps. Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares, Gabriela Reps. Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, and Act Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio.
Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano is the bill’s main author.
Legislators’ forum
Padilla and Castelo both agreed to be co-authors of the P125 Wage Hike Bill during the “Legistrators’ Forum on the Need for a Legislated Wage Hike” last Monday in the House of Representatives.
Organized by the HOR Labor Committee headed by Northern Samar Rep, Emil Ong upon the request of Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Mariano, the forum was attended by some 21 legislators, five of which were represented by their staff.
“It is only through legislation that the workers can achieve a significant wage hike. It has been proven that the country’s regional wage boards are mere instruments of big foreign and local capitalists for pressing down workers’ wages,” Labog said.
“We thank all the legislators who attended the forum, especially those who expressed support for a legislated wage hike. We are urging all lawmakers to support the P125 Wage Hike Bill,” he added. Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU Chairperson
