Bam Aquino wants DBM to use other funds for gov’t employees’ pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bam Aquino on Friday said he will file a resolution urging the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to use other funds in the implementation of the salary standardization law (SSL) of government employees.

According to Aquino, the DBM can use the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) — which was included in the 2018 re-enacted budget — for the SSL’s fourth tranche due in January 2019.

“Ibig sabihin, maaari nang ibigay ng DBM ang umento sa sahod kahit wala pang clearance mula sa Kongreso,” Aquino said in a statement.

He also called out the DBM for holding the intended salary hike hostage, while the government is quick to impose additional taxes through the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

“Bakit kapag dagdag buwis mabilis pero pahirapan kapag dagdag sweldo ang usapan?” he asked.

Aquino issued his comments after DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno said government workers would have to wait for the approval of the 2019 national budget before the fourth tranche is implemented.

“Sa gitna ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, hindi dapat mabinbin ang umento sa sweldo ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan, lalo na ng ating public school teachers,” he said on Thursday.

“Huwag naman sanang ipagkait sa mga empleyado ng pamahalaan at sa mga guro itong agarang ayuda na matagal na nilang hinihiling at hinihintay,” he pleaded.

READ: Bam Aquino to DBM: Don’t delay pay hike of gov’t workers

Aquino assured the DBM that using the MPBF to fund the SSL will not be in violation of the Constitution.

“Hindi rin lalabag ang DBM sa Saligang Batas kapag ginamit ito sa dagdag-sahod ng ating mga lingkod bayan,” he added.  /muf