Pasay pay hike rejected by Peewee

Two ordinances approved by the Pasay City council increasing the cost of living allowance (COLA) of public school teachers, policemen and firemen from P1,000 to P1,500 were rejected by Mayor "Peewee" Wenseslao Trinidad.

Vice Mayor Greg Alcera questioned the junking of City Ordinance Nos. 1875 and 1977, saying the move was detrimental to government employees whose salaries are barely able to keep up with the rising prices of oil and basic commodities.

Trinidad, when contacted, said his political enemies are using the issue to score "undeserved" points with the electorate by putting him in a bad light. "They are engaging in politics as usual," Trinidad said.

In an endorsement letter to the city council last Oct. 10, Trinidad informed aldermen that he could not approve ordinances enacting the COLA hike.

"Ordinance No. 1875 increasing the COLA of public school teachers including non-teaching personnel from P1,000 to 1,500 to be included in the 2001 annual budget of the city cannot be allowed in view of the Commission on Audit opinion that the maximum COLA allowance to be taken from the SEF (Special Education Fund) is P1,000 only. The increase shall necessarily come from the General Fund which requires a certification of availability of funds," The letter read in part.

"Ordinance No. 1877 increasing the allowance of the personnel of the Pasay City police force and the Bureau of Fire Protection in Pasay City from P1,000 to P1,500 a month to be included in the 2001 annual budget cannot be allowed in view of non-availability of funds for the reasons above-stated," the letter explained.

Trinidad further explained that the city council had encroached upon executive functions when they passed the two ordinances.

He cited Article 86 of the Local Government Code which states that the power to prepare the executive and supplemental budgets of the city is lodged with the city mayor.

"The power to enact ordinance must not be used as a device to exercise executive functions, otherwise, the principle of separation of powers shall be violated," Trinidad, a lawyer and long-time city vice mayor, said.

"If they really want to impose the COLA increase, then they would do better to pass an accompanying tax ordinance that will raise money to provide a budget for the increase of these allowances," Trinidad explained in an interview.