Manila — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has denied accusations by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste that he blocked the passage of a legislated minimum wage increase during the 19th Congress, saying the claim is “not true” and instead pointing to Leviste’s own unresolved issues with government fines.

Leviste alleged that Recto made a call to senators on the final day of the 19th Congress, resulting in the failure to approve the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed wage hike. 

“Sinabi din ng Senado sa ibang mga labor groups at mga congressman sa huling araw ng 19th Congress kaya hindi inaprubahan ang bicam report para sa pagtaas ng minimum wage dahil tumawag si Secretary Ralph Recto,” Leviste claimed.

The House of Representatives had passed a version granting a ₱200 daily wage increase, while the Senate proposed only ₱100. The two chambers failed to reconcile their differences before adjournment, effectively killing the bill. Labor groups and House leaders blamed the Senate for refusing to convene a bicameral conference, describing its stance as a “take-it-or-leave-it” ultimatum.

Recto, however, dismissed Leviste’s accusation, telling ABS-CBN News: “Not true. He should pay what he owes govt. 24b.” The remark referred to the ₱24 billion in fines imposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) on Solar Philippines, a company founded by Leviste, for failed commitments in its power projects.

Leviste also linked the wage hike’s collapse to the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, claiming that the executive branch influenced the Senate’s agenda. “Pero ang lumalabas ang ehekutibo ang nagdidikta sa agenda ng Kongreso,” he said. Recto rejected this, stressing that Congress operates independently and that the executive does not dictate legislative priorities.

The wage hike bill’s failure has sparked frustration among labor groups, who argued it was a missed opportunity to provide relief to workers amid rising inflation. House leaders insisted they were prepared to negotiate in good faith, but the Senate’s refusal to meet left the measure unresolved.

With Recto’s denial, the controversy underscores the deep divisions between lawmakers over wage policy and the broader political tensions surrounding the impeachment process. The issue remains a flashpoint for labor advocates, who continue to push for a legislated wage increase in the next Congress.