Retired cops to withdraw support for Mar Roxas if pensions are not released

Disgruntled retirees of the Philippine National Police and the defunct Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police might withdraw their support for Interior Secretary Mar Roxas when he runs for president in the 2016 elections if he will not push for the release of their pension differentials worth at least P1 billion.

The PNP Retirees Association Inc. decried the nonpayment of their six-month differentials, which they said Roxas, as the National Police Commission ex-officio chair, should request from the Department of Budget and Management.

In a press conference at Camp Crame on Wednesday, retired PRAI chair Police Director Van Luspo said Roxas could lose a large number of supporters composed of 32,000 retired policemen if he would not grant their request.

“Actually, tinatawag na namin siyang ‘president to be’ kung ang hinihiling ng mga retirees mabibigay ‘yung mga benipisyong aming hinihiling. Kapag hindi, alam mo naman, parochial ang pag-iisip, kapag hindi nila natanggap ang benipisyo that they deserve for their service, talagang masama ang loob. Hindi susuporta kay Mar Roxas ‘yan kung hindi siya magbibigay ng tulong para maibigay ang mga benipisyong ito,” Luspo said.

Luspo said Roxas could lose a significant number of votes from retirees in regions, provinces, cities and municipalities in the country.

“Kaya po kami ay dumudulog sa lahat para iparating sa ating Pangulo, kay Secretary (Florencio) Abad at Secretary Roxas at sa liderato ng PNP na i-release na nila sa lalong madaling panahon ang ipinangako nilang six-months differential sa aming mga tumatanda, naghihikahos at masakiting police retirees,” he said.

According to the PRAI, it has been two years since the retirees received their differentials when they were supposed to get benefits “out of delay in the implementation” of the third phase of the Salary Standardization Law.

“Subalit hanggang sa ngayon, itong differential na ito na kanilang pinangako ay napapako. Hindi naman masyadong kalakihan kumpara sa ibibigay nila sa BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law),” he said, referring to the alleged payoffs in Congress for the passage of the controversial measure. RC