Retired cops urged to help guard salary law changes

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Police Retirees Association, Inc. (PRAI) is calling on its members to make strong representation with their congressmen to ensure that amendment to the Salary Standardization Law will not be scuttled in the bicameral conference in Congress.

 This after  Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the principal author of Senate Bill No. 2671, said he expects resistance from Malacañang on the indexation of the pension to the salaries of uniformed personnel under the proposed bill.

Earlier, the Department of Budget and Management recommended to exclude retirees from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police because including them would bloat the already huge cost of salary standardization.

Trillanes said all Senators were supportive of the indexation of the pension to the salaries as introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

 “This season, let us pray to the Lord Almighty that these congressmen who are against the inclusion, together with President Benigno Aquino III and DBM Secretary Florencio Abad,” said PRAI-7 President, retired Col. Walberto Mandin.

 “Let us pray further for God to strengthen, brain and brawn, Apo JPE and his peers, to continue their quest for us retirees all, who served this country and people the best years of our lives. Justice for all retirees,” Mandin added.

Pagdilao himself is a lawyer and a retired police director.

 Members of PRAI have claimed victory and rejoiced when the Senate reconsidered and deleted the provision of Senate Bill No. 2671, which suspended the indexation of their pension adjustment.

 Earlier this month, PRAI denounced the passing of the proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2015 before the Lower House, which excluded them from the benefits covered.

 Mandin said a bill, though approved already on third and final reading, can still be appealed with a motion for reconsideration by a legislator and when supported by another, can be remanded to the floor where it was before the second reading.  (FREEMAN)