ANGELES CITY--Former president and re-elected Pampanga First District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has filed a bill that would increase the salaries of policemen and soldiers.
Arroyo said she filed House Bill 304 after President Rodrigo Duterte promised to double the salary of the police officers and military personnel in the drive against corruption, criminality and drugs.
The Pampanga solon said that it is the policy of the state to promote professionalism in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by providing adequate benefits to its members.
The bill seeks to double the monthly pay of the policemen and soldiers in order to enhance their commitment to service and professionalism, according to Arroyo.
The bill mandates the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to detail the schedule of the adjustment pay.
The funds for the salary adjustment of cops and soliders will sourced out from the savings of the PNP, AFP and others.
The bill provides that the PNP, AFP and DBM should submit a report on the implementation of the increased pay to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Arroyo said the implementation of the bill may be done in staggered phases within five years.
The former president is still under hospital detention for plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of P366 million in charity funds.