Manila: Senators on Thursday expressed caution over the House of Representatives' approval of a PHP200 daily minimum wage hike, flagging potential risks to small businesses and a possible veto from Malaca±ang.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito warned that while wage hikes may be politically appealing, they could backfire on struggling businesses if not carefully balanced. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that businesses are not overwhelmed by the increase, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Ejercito highlighted the need to balance the interests of employees, the business sector, and economic managers.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who authored the Senate's version seeking a PHP100 wage increase, welcomed the House passage but urged for swift coordination. He expressed openness to adopting the House version but emphasized the need for a Bicameral Committee meeting to address any amendments and expedite the process before the legislative session ends.

On the other hand, Senator Joel Villanueva cautioned against simply adopting the House version of the wage hike. He pointed out that the Senate's proposal of a PHP100 increase was more feasible, stressing the importance of discussing the matter in the bicameral committee to avoid overwhelming the President with potentially problematic measures that could lead to a veto.