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Minority bloc cries, ‘Blackmail!’
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Posted on Apr 18 2006
The House minority bloc expressed skepticism yesterday with the administration’s statement that a payless payday was imminent for government personnel.
Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, spokesperson for the minority group, accused the Executive Branch of “blackmailing” public sector employees into consenting to a wage reduction.
“It sounds like a far-fetched threat, addressed especially to those opposing [the wage cut plan],” Tebuteb said.
He also criticized press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. for implying “that people don’t know what they’re talking about” and that “the public was not as smart as him.”
Tebuteb said that the administration should provide the public with more specific information about the government’s financial situation to make the people understand.
“Don’t threaten my people,” he said.
Reyes said on Monday that the Department of Finance was scrambling for funds to meet the next payroll. According to Antonio Muna, the governor’s special assistant for budget and management, the government spends $6.3 million on personnel every pay period.
Reyes also said that an actual payless payday would, hopefully, “drive home the point” that the government is in a serious financial condition.
“Maybe if they don’t get their paychecks, that’s when people will start realizing the urgency of our problem,” he said.
