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‘Wage cut bill will face rough sailing’
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Posted on Apr 05 2006
Unlike previous administration-initiated measures, the government wage reduction bill will not enjoy a swift and smooth passage in the House of Representatives, according the minority bloc.
House Minority Leader Arnold I. Palacios said that House Bill 15-115 would not go so easily through the Lower House.
“The authors and co-authors of this bill will have to sit down and explain this thoroughly,” Palacios said.
H.B. 15-115 seeks to cut the wages of civil service personnel by 10 percent across the board. Rep. Absalon Waki Jr. introduced the bill, which was also signed by House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta and Reps. Cinta Kaipat, Francisco Dela Cruz, and Jesus N. Lizama.
The bill listed the names of the seven other House leadership members, but not their signatures.
Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua, who is among the majority members who did not sign the bill, yesterday expressed reservations about the measure.
He said he was gathering information regarding the proposal, specifically the number of people who would be affected, amount of money that would be saved from the wage cuts, and the measure’s potential multiplier effect.
“I want to see the overall picture, whether the bill will actually generate savings for the government. I also want to consider the fairness of implementing the wage cuts,” Quitugua said.
He added that he would like to hear what the people would say at the planned public hearing.
Quitugua is also a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which is reviewing the bill.
