Just when Metro Manila workers thought the ₱85 daily wage hike was settled, a Pasig court hit pause on it. Here’s what actually happened, and what it means for your payslip while the legal drama plays out.
What Just Happened
On July 30, 2026, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, Branch 152, issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against Wage Order No. NCR-27, the order that granted Metro Manila’s minimum wage earners an ₱85 daily increase.
Judge Marie Joyce P. Manongsong granted the TRO after two construction firms, Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders, Inc., filed a petition arguing that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR (RTWPB-NCR) failed to properly weigh employers’ capacity to pay, as required under Article 124 of the Labor Code.
The TRO blocks the RTWPB-NCR and the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) from implementing NCR-27 until August 13, 2026. A hearing on whether to convert this into a longer preliminary injunction is set for August 3, 2026.
Timeline Recap: How We Got Here
If you’re just catching up, here’s the quick version. The RTWPB-NCR signed Wage Order No. NCR-27 on June 23, 2026, approving the largest single daily wage increase in the region’s history. The order was published on July 9, and under the 15-day publication rule, it legally took effect on July 25, 2026 (not July 19, as initially floated, which some outlets mistakenly reported as a “delay”).
The ₱60 first tranche did take effect on July 25, bringing the non-agriculture minimum wage to ₱755 and the lower-tier rate (agriculture, small retail/service, and small manufacturing) to ₱718. The second tranche of ₱25 was still scheduled for January 20, 2027, which would have brought the rates to ₱780 and ₱743 respectively.
Employer groups like the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) had already pushed for a suspension before this, and both DOLE and Malacañang publicly denied any such move was happening at the time. So this TRO is a genuinely new development, not a continuation of that earlier noise.
So What Do Employers Pay Right Now?
This is the messy part. DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino has confirmed the TRO and said the department will comply, and this reportedly includes the ₱60 tranche that had already been in force since July 25. However, as of this writing, no formal DOLE advisory has told employers exactly what rate to apply while the TRO is active.
In practical terms, this leaves two open legal questions, and they’re separate from each other:
- Whether NCR-27 was properly set in the first place (the merits of the case)
- Whether a court can pause a wage order this way at all (the TRO’s own validity)
Neither question is resolved yet. If your payroll cycle falls within this window, it’s worth holding off on reversing the ₱60 tranche until DOLE issues clearer guidance, since the TRO itself could still be challenged or lifted before the August 13 deadline.
What Happens Next
Mark these dates if you’re tracking this for payroll or just want to stay informed:
- August 3, 2026: Hearing on converting the TRO into a preliminary injunction
- August 13, 2026: Current TRO expiration, unless extended or converted
We’ll update this post as soon as the court rules on either date. If you want the full breakdown of the original wage order (the rate table, sector coverage, and how the increase affects your monthly take-home pay), check out our full guide on the NCR Minimum Wage Hike 2026.
If you want to see exactly how a wage change like this flows into your monthly take-home pay, you can also run the numbers yourself using our net salary calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NCR wage hike cancelled?
No. A TRO is a temporary pause, not a cancellation. The court has not ruled on the merits of the case yet. The wage order could still be upheld after the August 3 hearing.
Do I still get the ₱60 increase in my payslip?
As of this writing, DOLE has not issued a clear advisory reversing the ₱60 tranche that took effect July 25. Employers and workers should watch for an official DOLE advisory rather than assume either way.
Why did two construction companies file this case?
Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders, Inc. argued that the wage board didn’t adequately consider employers’ capacity to pay before approving the ₱85 increase.
When will this be resolved?
The TRO is set to expire August 13, 2026, with a hearing on a longer injunction scheduled for August 3, 2026. A final ruling on the wage order itself could still take longer.
Does this affect the January 2027 second tranche?
Yes, indirectly. If the TRO becomes a longer injunction, both the ₱60 tranche already in place and the ₱25 tranche scheduled for January 20, 2027 would be affected until the case is resolved.
Blogger’s Corner
Grabe, parang telenovela na itong NCR-27 no? Confirmed effective, then postponed, then confirmed again, then paused by a court. Sabi ko na nga ba hindi pa tapos ang kwento. Kaya bago tayo mag-adjust ng budget or payroll based dito, hintayin muna natin yung malinaw na advisory. Ita-track ko ito hanggang sa may desisyon na, so bookmark this page o i-follow niyo kami sa Facebook para updated kayo.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Wage order implementation is subject to ongoing litigation and may change. Please consult DOLE advisories or a labor law professional for guidance specific to your situation.