Aquino told to ‘check math’ in ruling out P125 wage hike

MANILA, Philippines – Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called on President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday to “check his math” and  “erroneous computation” after announcing on Tuesday, Labor Day, that the government could not grant the P125 wage increase demanded by the workers.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes alleged that Aquino cited wrong figures in his Labor Day speech.

He said Aquino multiplied the demanded P125 across the board raise with 40 million workers, a figure that allegedly included government employees and non-wage earners.

“Around 15.6M lang ang wage earners sa private sector, not 40 million as claimed by Aquino,” Reyes said, adding that he speaks as if he is the spokesman of the business elite and not as president of the majority of Filipinos.

“He again opposes the P125 across the board wage hike based on an erroneous computation,” Reyes said.