Separate bill eyed for teachers’ poll wages

Congress leaders are determined to pass the 2019 spending bill, but in case this does not happen, the legislature could approve a supplemental budget to make sure that teachers who will serve in the midterm elections would get their honoraria, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

Aquino made the statement as the House of Representatives and the Senate tussled over different versions of the proposed budget.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III had proposed pulling out the Senate version and just having a reenacted budget this year amid allegations of massive pork insertions in the bill.

According to Aquino, although both chambers were determined to pass the budget, a supplemental budget for teachers’ election pay could be passed if the Senate and House failed to agree.

Aquino is a member of the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee that would tackle the proposed national budget.

“We will do everything to ensure that the teachers will be paid for their work in the forthcoming elections,” Aquino said in a statement.

“We should give them the proper recognition and not withhold the compensation and benefits due them under the law,” he said.

But it was not clear if Congress would have time to approve a supplemental budget before the elections and before it adjourns next week.

Aquino said the hard work and sacrifices of teachers serving during the elections should be valued.