Senate Minority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has renewed his push for the bill mandating private sector employers to grant workers their 14th month pay to help them cope with the rising costs of goods and services and help Filipino families with educational expenses.

Senate Minority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III urges the Senate Committee on Agriculture to study the possibility of the government buying 50 percent of all farmers’ output. “May I suggest the Committee on Agriculture to study the possibility of the government buying 50 percent of the output of all farmers at their price. Please make a study to that effect,” Sotto said during Monday’s plenary session, August 4, 2025. Sotto, in his interpellation on issues surrounding rice production and farmers’ welfare, explained that based on a study, it will help reduce food prices. (Senate PRIB photo)

The 14th month pay will be in addition to the existing 13th month pay already being given to workers under Presidential Decree No. 851.

“After almost five decades, the needs and cost of living of every Filipino worker have drastically changed, thus it is high time that employees in the private sector receive their 14th month pay,” Sotto said under Senate Bill No. 193 or the proposed 14th Month Pay law.

In pursuing the passage of the bill, Sotto suggests that the 13th month pay be released by June 14 to help workers with educational expenses for their children, while the 14th month pay shall be given not later than December 24 to assist families with holiday and year-end costs.

“The bill has exemptions for qualified employers so as not to burden struggling businesses as they are equally important for our economy,” the senator stressed.

The proposed law will cover all non-government rank-and-file employees, workers under the Kasambahay Law, and others who are already entitled to 13th month pay, provided they have worked for at least one month during the calendar year.

The bill, however, exempts distressed companies, and non-profit institutions suffering from major income declines.

The bill also exempts employers already providing a 14th month pay or its equivalent.

Sotto also assured that the bill provides exemptions for qualified employers as not to burden struggling businesses as they are equally important to the Philippine economy.