Monday, November 17, 2008 Dabu: Power consumption to be taken from protesters' back wages By Jovi T. De Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO –- Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu lashed back at the protesting quarrymen Friday, telling them to "get their hooks off the Capitol's power lines if they want their salaries released."
Friday marked the Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) protesters' 100th day of picketing at Arnedo Park where the call for Dabu and Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio's resignation remain the "standing and continuing" core of their rally.
The Balas boys have earlier demanded Dabu to release their back wages by November 15.
Dabu got a beating from the protesters when they assailed her of holding back their 2007 night differential, overtime and terminal leave pays despite what the protesters' claimed as submission of all requirements essential for their release.
But Dabu said in a previous letter that the pays are being withheld pending cuts and deductions that would be made as the Commission on Audit (COA) found out some "overpayment" in their salaries, particularly some supervisors and checkers who were downgraded to salary grade 1 by the Provincial Board (PB) from salary grade levels 5 to 7.
Previously, Dabu said the "illegal tapping" of the protesters' power lines to that of the Capitol's main source has complicated the release of their back wages, since Capitol now has to deduct the cost of power consumed by the protesters in their picket line, dating back to August 11.
In a recent communiqué sent to them by Dabu on Friday, which the Balas boys' jokingly took as an "anniversary present," the provincial administrator said their "night differential, cash gift and terminal leave pay was in order but would only be released after the determination and deduction of the overpayment and cost of power consumption."
Dabu reiterated her previous statement that the protesters are "illegally tapping on the power lines of the Provincial Government and is but proper that we withhold the release of your claims."
She said the claims would only be released after the illegal connection has been taken off-the-hook by the protesters.
Dabu earlier said they could not finalize the computation of the protesters' claims because of their continued stay and use of electricity at Arnedo Park. "What if they stay there for three years? How do we go about releasing their claims?"
The Balas boys on Friday said they would stay on the picket line "if it takes forever" just to get justice on their plight and the "cause of truth to come out.
The protesters said they have yet to meet and react to Dabu's letter, but are still contemplating on filing charges of oppression and grave misconduct against Dabu, whom they said has refused to hear their pleas.
