Zubiri criticizes Laguesma over minimum wage hike opposition
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri criticized Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Thursday for opposing a proposed increase in minimum wages.
Zubiri expressed disappointment over Laguesma's objection to the bill, describing it as 'shocking' and stating that he failed to protect workers' interests.
The Senate had previously approved the P100 daily wage hike proposal last March, which Zubiri initially proposed at P150.
He further stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order to review minimum wages indicates the current system's ineffectiveness in addressing laborers' challenges during high inflation and food costs.
Zubiri warned that if Laguesma continues his stance, he risks becoming one of the least popular Labor Secretaries ever.
Instead of heading DOLE, Zubiri suggested that Laguesma would have been better suited for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which is currently being effectively managed by Secretary Alfredo Pascual.
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