Wage boards should decide increase - Gibo

MANILA, Philippines - Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said yesterday the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) should be given a free hand to review petitions for an across-the-board daily wage increase.

Teodoro made the statement after the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) filed a petition at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for a P75 across-the-board wage increase for workers.

“The tripartite system should work. The wage board should be allowed to work and come up with their decision,” said Teodoro, a former defense chief, as he campaigned in Malabon and Caloocan where thousands of supporters mobbed him.

Administration senatorial candidates broadcaster Rey Langit and lawyer Raul Lambino, who accompanied Teodoro in his campaign in northern Metro Manila, are supporting the TUCP petition for wage increase.

They said the employers and the employees should thoroughly study the wage hike.

“I am supportive of anything that is beneficial to our workers. But let’s not rush it, we should have consultations with the employers,” said Langit.

Lambino said the workers need the wage increase to give them economic relief due to the steady increase in prices of basic commodities and services.

Teodoro led more than 10,000 supporters in reciting the “Panatang Makabago,” a voters’ pledge to vote only for the most qualified candidates in the coming May 10 elections.

Teodoro described his campaign in Caloocan as one of the warmest receptions he got in Metro Manila, where leaders of 11 organizations representing the different districts in Caloocan expressed their full support for the Lakas slate led by him, vice-presidential bet Edu Manzano and the party’s six senatorial bets that include reelectionist Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, former Cabinet secretary Silvestre Bello, and Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan.

Rep. Mitch Cajayon said the warm welcome accorded to the Lakas-Kampi standard-bearer only showed that Teodoro, the first presidential candidate to visit Caloocan, would be the winner in the city.

Ronnie Tuburan, president of the Purok Leaders in Phase 7, said that the organization is unanimous in their support for Teodoro.

“We pledge to support Gibo because we believe in his advocacies to fight corruption and to promote peace and order in the country,” Tuburan said.