MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday called on the House of Representatives to adopt the Senate-approved measure seeking a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage, in a bid to fast-track its passage without going through a bicameral conference committee.

Villanueva said he had written to the chairperson of the House Committee on Labor appealing for support for the Senate version. He also raised the matter with Senate President Francis Escudero and House bicameral panel members.

“Yesterday, I wrote to the chairperson of the House Committee on Labor… I appealed to the chairperson and the conferees of the House’s bicameral committee delegation,” Villanueva said in an interview.

He noted that a House conferee had expressed openness to adopting the Senate’s version of the bill. Villanueva also cited a letter from the National Wage Coalition urging both chambers to support the PHP100 wage hike.

However, Villanueva pointed to an unverified draft letter circulating online suggesting that the House remains firm on pushing for its version of the bill, which proposes a higher P200 increase.

“Unfortunately… there is a draft letter going around on social media [saying] they will fight for a bicam and that they believe PHP200 is just and balanced. But this is not an official letter,” he said.

If the House insists on its version, Villanueva said the measure would have to go through a bicameral conference, which he warned could delay its passage with limited time left in the 19th Congress.

“Time is really not on our side,” he said. “If the intention is to pass the measure and help our workers, the House will adopt our version.”

Villanueva expressed hope that the House would act on the Senate measure before the session adjourns, calling it a much-needed win for Filipino workers (PNA).