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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Injured PNP officer thanks Go for help in disability benefits problem

Injured PNP officer thanks Go for help in disability benefits problem

Published Aug 4, 2021 11:35 am

An injured retired police officer on Monday, August 2 thanked Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go for bringing directly to President Duterte his and his colleagues’ concerns regarding their disability benefits.

After interviewing Hector Fernandez, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) staff sergeant, Go arranged a conference call with President Duterte, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Hector.

Fernandez is taking part in a long protest walk from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon to the Malacañang Palace in Manila to persuade Duterte to overturn a decision by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to suspend their disability benefit.

The benefit or support was suspended to guarantee that PNP officials did not receive double compensation of benefits.

“Opo, narinig ko po ang sinabi niya kanina, ang hinaing niya kanina (Yes, I heard what he said earlier, his concerns). Ka Hector, ‘wag ka munang maglakad papunta ng Malakanyang, napakalayo po nito at 'wag kayo mag-alala at ipaparating ko agad kay Pangulong Duterte ang inyong hinaing at mag-aapela po ako sa DOJ (Department of Justice) na kung maaari ay pag-aralang muli at balikan ang kanilang naging legal opinion disallowing the allowance dahil double compensation daw po ito. (Ka Hector, stop walking towards Malacanang, that is too far and do not worry I will bring your concern to the attention of President Duterte, and I will also appeal to the DOJ (Department of Justice) to restudy their opinion disallowing the allowance because this is allegedly a case of double compensation),” Go told Fernandez during a radio interview on Monday, August 2.

“Gagawin po natin ang lahat para makakita tayo ng win-win solution dito (We will do everything to look for a win-win solution to this),” he added.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ordered Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año in November 2019 to take necessary steps to halt the provision of double compensation of disability and death benefits to PNP officers.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) responded in December 2019, citing the legal reasons for the separate distribution of police benefits under the NAPOLCOM-managed PNP Welfare Benefits Program and the PNP Retirement Benefits Program, stating that these payments may not be considered double remuneration.

However, on January 14, the Commission on Audit (COA) stated in an Audit Observation Memorandum that the said benefits amounts to double remuneration. The COA also recommended that all PNP welfare benefits be stopped immediately in all NAPOLCOM offices.

Go has said that as vice chairman of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs committee, he is willing to act as a mediator to find a win-win solution to the problem).

Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Go also urged Fernandez to postpone his protest walk for the time being.

Instead, Go offered him transportation if he still wanted to go to Manila.

Meanwhile, Fernandez thanked the Senator, saying, “Opo, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo, Senator, sa pag-unawa mo sa amin, sa kalagayan po naming (Yes Sir, thank you very much to you, Senator, for understanding us, our situation). Di lang po ako nadisability at mga kasama kong pulis na survivor, pati mga pulis po natin na may night differential, sana po ibigay po sana two years pa po ang di pa naibibigay (I am not alone with disability. I have my companions who are police survivors, including those with night differential. It’s been two years that our allowances were not given to us),” he said.

The former PNP personnel was forced to retire in 2011 after sustaining a spinal cord injury while participating in a police operation in Nueva Ecija to combat unlawful gambling.

Go said Hector was very grateful for the opportunity given him to speak to the President and iterate his concerns.

In the call, the President asked Hector to stop punishing himself since the government is always here to listen to his concerns, Go said.

Duterte also asked Department of Justice (DOJ) Menardo Guevarra secretary to explain the constitutional provision regarding double compensation to Hector and the current jurisprudence stating that pension benefits is within the ambit of double compensation.

Guevarra emphasized that there would still be benefits for the retired policemen with disabilities but only NAPOLCOM is allowed to disburse such.

The Justice secretary stated that Hector may elevate his concerns to the appropriate courts.

President Duterte also stated that he would find a way to help Hector. He told Hector that only the courts could decide on the matter.

The President reiterated his love for the policemen, and as such he will provide a private lawyer free-of-charge for Hector in order for Hector to settle the legal issue regarding pension benefits to the courts.

The President also stated that he and Go would provide some financial assistance to Hector in order to help him.

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