Kris Aquino backs higher salary for cops, to lobby bill to the President

By: 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines―The nation’s police personnel just got a powerful ally which will push for an increase in their salary.

During her speech before policemen in the Quezon City Police District’s Women’s Month celebration on Monday, presidential sister and TV personality Kris Aquino said that she is supporting a proposed legislation filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV advocating for an increased salary for the men and women in the police force.

She even said that she would lobby the bill’s passage to her brother, President Benigno Aquino III.

“Magtulungan tayo, mangungulit po ako na sana ma-convince si PNoy sa Bill ni Senator (Antonio) Trillanes, or at least mag-meet halfway sila sa mga increase na pino-propose, sa kung hanggang saan kaya ng bulsa ng gubyerno,” Aquino said.

(Let’s help each other. I will help in convincing PNoy to approve Senator (Antonio) Trillanes IV’s bill, or at least to meet halfway to implement the increase they are proposing yet still considering the capacity of the government’s coffers.)

She said that she has the right to lobby for the salary increase as she has paid more than P50 million in income taxes to the government.

“Pwede naman po akong mag-lobby dahil higit sa 50 million pesos po ang 2014 income tax ko. May ambag naman po ako sa pondo ng gubyerno,” the actress said in jest.

(I can lobby because I paid more than P50 million for my 2014 income tax. I contributed to the government coffers.)

Under Senate Bill 1689 or the “Salary Standardization Law 4” authored by Trillanes, the following are the proposed salaries for each police officer: Police Officer 1: P27,800, Police Inspector: P62,800, Senior Police Officer: P67,800.

The actress reiterated that she is lobbying for the “heroes” of the country.

“Kung ang ila-lobby ko ay para sa ating mga bayani na nagsasakripisyo ng buhay nila para sa ating bansa, para mabigyan ng magandang suweldo at kinabukasan hindi lang para sa kanila pati ang kanilang pamilya, okay ‘yun,” she added.

(If I am lobbying for our heroes who are sacrificing their lives in service to the country, to give them a better salary and better future for them and their families, I am okay with that.)