Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that an increase in salary for the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines is “impossible” to a part of the 2017 General Appropriations Act because the appraisal for any increase is due to be submitted for approval.
Despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s assurance that soldiers and policemen would receive a raise by this year, Sen. Lacson believes that the inclusion of the salary increase would be earliest in 2018; stating that, “I don’t see how ma-incorporate ang salary increase ng pulis at military. Hindi na makakahabol yan.”
Earlier, Duterte also promised the soldier’s pay to increase by August but failed. He promised anew that the raise for the cops and soldiers will double starting this December.
In spite of this, Lacson stated that the President can still raise the soldiers’ and policemen’s salaries by opting to submit a supplemental budget to Congress.
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There is also the option of realigning funds from other agencies for the PNP and AFP personnel but such an act would be considered “substantial.”
Lacson pointedly asks, “We’re talking of 140 to 150,000 police officers and another 150,000 military personnel. Saang ahensya mo huhugutin ang salary increase ng katakut-takot na personnel ng dalawang ahensya?”
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also expressed surprise over Duterte’s declaration over the pay hike by August during a Senate inquiry on the various Salary Standardization bills.
Trillanes boldly declares, “You better advise your President because he’s been making commitments and promises left and right. Ayaw nating masira yung credibility niya, na he’s just a big talker.”
Trillanes points out that “the soldiers are holding on to the word of their Commander-in-Chief” but now the “DBM secretary is saying it’s not gonna happen.”
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stated earlier that the President is looking into a proposal to increase the salaries up to a minimum of P50, 000 per month of police and military personnel. This is to fulfill Duterte’s promise during his campaign and is hoping to have it implemented before Christmas through the help of Congresss.
For the possibility of the new salary scheme, there is a need for an additional P70 billion with P50 billion allocated for active personnel and P20 billion for retired officers.
Source: (gmanetwork.com)
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