Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s proposal to increase the salaries of government officials reminds us of that episode in the original British version of the mockumentary “The Office”, a trailer of which ran in cable channel Star TV.
In that episode, then supervisor David Brent (played by comedian Ricky Gervais) told his employees that there would be massive layoffs in the company as it tries to downsize and cut losses.
While the employees were understandably shocked and depressed, Brent announced proudly that he would be promoted as general manager. From the smile on his face, Brent was expecting his coworkers to be happy for him so it was priceless looking at his “frozen shock” expression when he was greeted by his employees with icy stares instead.
A day before the annual Labor Day observance, President Benigno Aquino III said there would be no surprise announcement from him. That was the cue not to expect any good news about a wage hike.
That was to be expected. Wage-fixing is is not a “feel good” declaration to be made by the President.
The task is assigned by law to regional wage boards, where any decision to increase the minimum wage must undergo a series of public consultation, and real research by the management, labor and government members of the wage-fixing board.
What was unexpected was the senator’s proposal to substantially raise the salaries of government officials in order to discourage corruption.
Instead of the current monthly P120,000, Trillanes said the President should receive P1 million a month.
Since when has a large salary been a guarantee of integrity? Since when does earning more money guarantee that an official is less prone to temptation of graft?
The experience in traditional Philippine politics, is that the higher one rises in power, in perks and privileges, the hungrier and more cavalier an official gets in acquiring more.
Pork barrels of congressmen and senator are an example of this excess appetitite.
Even after national legislators are guaranteed decent salaries, staff members at their beck and call, transportation and gas allowances, along with a variety of other allowances and expense accounts, they still cling to a P70 million (for congressmen) or P200 million (for senators) in “hard” and “soft” projects as pork.
The discretionary fund didn’t make them more honest or effective legislators. It just gave more room for backroom deals which Janet Napoles and her like captilized on.
The tempting logic that government officials should be paid at par with the private sector was used to justify the runaway salaries, allowances and benefits of senior chiefs and officials of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).
Trillanes’ proposal disregards the basic fact that integrity is not a function of a paycheck. It is result of character.