Bicameral committee to reconcile minimum wage bill differences before adjournment

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said the minimum wage hike bill may still be ratified by the Senate and House before adjournment.

A bicameral conference committee may meet before Congress adjourns on June 13 to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

The House passed HB No. 11376, proposing a PHP200 daily increase in minimum wages, while the Senate approved SB No. 2534 with a PHP100 increase.

House spokesperson Priscilla Marie 'Princess' T. Abante emphasized the House's commitment to its PHP200 proposal, stating it is the version that will best benefit the people.

Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles expressed readiness to engage constructively with the Senate to create a unified version that is fair, balanced, and responsive to both labor and business sectors.

Brosas emphasized that unity among lawmakers is crucial to quickly finalize the bill and send it to the President for enactment, noting it would be the first legislated wage hike in three decades.

The House committee on labor and employment rejected the proposal of Senator Joel Villanueva to adopt the Senate's PHP100 version of the bill.

Nograles emphasized the House's preference for a transparent bicameral process rather than accepting the Senate's version without discussion or compromise.

Senator Joel Villanueva urged the House to adopt the Senate's PHP100 version of the bill, citing a letter from the National Wage Coalition supporting the Senate proposal.

An unconfirmed draft letter circulating online suggests the House remains keen on pushing for its PHP200 wage hike proposal.