Despite repeated pronouncements by his budget chief that it is not possible, President Rodrigo Duterte once again promised 100 percent salary increases for men in uniform.
Duterte made the vow at the 115th police service anniversary in Camp Crame.
“I have increased your salaries. You are the first, double your present salary. By December, you have gotten the full,” he said.
“And I included the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PDEA [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency]… working and gambling with your lives facing criminals,” he added.
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had previously said that the raise for law enforcers cannot be fulfilled because there is nothing in the 2016 national budget that can be realigned to increase salaries.
Duterte previously promised a pay raise for soldiers by August. Diokno had said this was not possible.
Diokno added that adjusting the salaries and improving the pension system of uniformed men would be “a huge cost that we probably have to think very carefully.” —JST, GMA News
