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Monday, December 08, 2003
Erring cops get bonus
By Miko Santos
WESTERN Police District (WPD) Director Pedro Bulaong ordered the release of the yearend bonus to 200 erring policemen, which was earlier withheld as penalty for minor administrative offenses they had committed.
"I requested that the policemen be given some consideration and that their forfeiture of pay as penalty be implemented on a staggered basis," Bulaong said.
"It's all in the spirit of Christmas," he added.
The 200 policemen, all members of the Manila's Finest Brotherhood Association, Inc. (MFBAI), had complained that the forfeiture was being implemented on top of the earlier forfeiture of their pay as penalty for administrative offenses they had committed.
The policemen said the move was unfair because it was not supported by a National Police Commission (Napolcom) policy.
But while Bulaong ordered the release of the yearend cash gift, he lectured the policemen about performing their duties so that they would not be slapped with administrative charges.
He told them not to forget that they are required to attend formations, they should not be tardy and they should not be absent without leave.
"I hope this time they learned a lesson," Bulaong said.
Meanwhile, more than 300 Quezon City policemen have complained about the delayed release of their Christmas bonus so that they have asked Central Police District (CPD) director Napoleon Castro to do something about it.
Most of them fear that the delay will spell a gloomy holiday season since they won't have the money to spend for their families.
The cash bonuses they are supposed to receive vary and depend on their rank, with the lowest at P6,802.50 and the highest at around P11,000.
According to the CPD finance department, the release of the cash bonuses was put on hold for valid reasons.
Finance Officer Senior Police Officer 4 Ben Aquino said those who have not received their bonuses are either suspended or have been sanctioned for various offenses.
Forfeiture of pay, he explained, is often ordered by immediate superiors against those who either do not attend a flag ceremony or they fail to join the uniform checks, among other offenses.
Aquino said there is nothing illegal with holding back their benefits since police officers know that the offenses they committed have corresponding penalties.
As for those under suspension, he said it is obvious that a suspended police officer is not supposed to get benefits, which include Christmas or holiday pay.
The CPD has a total number of 2,700 policemen, and those whose bonuses have been put on hold represent less than 10 percent.
Aquino said news about the grievances of the policemen has reached his office, but no formal complaints have been filed.
Aquino said hold orders for the release of Christmas bonuses do not only affect CPD police officers and that the same thing is happening in other Metro Manila police districts.
(December 8, 2003 issue)
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