LP senators: Diokno comment on teachers' wage hike 'heartless'

MANILA, Philippines — Liberal Party senators on Friday slammed Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno's pronouncement that a pay rise for teachers is not a priority, describing it as "insensitive" if not "heartless" amid fears that the government's tax reform law would lead to increases in the prices of basic goods and services.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said that instead of rejecting the move to increase the salaries of public school educators Diokno should use his "wise judgment and skills" to look for the funds needed for this hike.

The minority leader said that there was no reason for the budget chief to complain about the cost of a wage increase for teachers if he was able to look for funding sources for the pay raise of soldiers, cops and uniformed personnel.

"Instead of slamming the doors on the plea of the teachers, Secretary Diokno should use his wise judgment and skills to find the funds and put money where it is most needed. Investments on the country’s human resources, especially our teachers, can never go wrong," Drilon said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted the second package of TRAIN to fund the increase in the wages of teachers. Although he could not give specifics, Roque said that teachers' pay could be increased by as much as that of cops and soldiers.

Diokno, the Budget secretary, however rejected this and said that these increases would have to wait until the completion of the last tranche of salary adjustments under the Salary Standardization Law.

He also rejected the possibility of doubling teachers' salary and said that this is beyond the financial capability of the government.

Roque on Thursday insisted that the president has ordered a wage hike but admitted that the 100-percent increase was just "speculation" on his part.

According to Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, this is not the way to treat public school teachers who had been seeking the government's help for a pay rise and additional benefits for them to live decently.

Pangilinan said teachers deserve no less following the recent upward adjustments in the salaries of police, soldiers and other uniformed personnel. He said that these increases could be seen as a positive sign to start pushing a similar initiative in the wages of educators and other school personnel.

"Beyond their traditional mission in the classrooms, teachers are mentors and influencers of the youth and of the community. Their critical role in nation-building could not be overlooked," Pangilinan, the president of LP, said.

While teachers may not bear arms or engage in dangerous missions, they still give the same dedication and hard work to educate Filipino students, according to Sen. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino.

He said that the possible inflationary effects to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law would not discriminate between teachers and soldiers.

"They have legitimate demands and are not shielded from the impact of higher prices of goods and services, especially with the TRAIN law in place," Aquino said.

"Just like soldiers and policemen, teachers also use gasoline, buy food and have other expenses that have risen due to the TRAIN law," Aquino said in Filipino.

The Liberal Party was the dominant party during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III but its ranks have been decimated by defections since the 2016 elections. Liberals at the Senate have become the de facto opposition after being kicked out of the majority bloc.