Defensor to observe guidelines in release of Christmas bonus
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said yesterday he could not yet determine how much the provincial government employees will receive as Christmas bonus as he is still waiting for the guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management.
Defensor said he does not want to commit the mistake made by former Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. in the giving of extra bonus.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has declared as illegal the P30,000 14th month pay given to each Capitol employee in 2002 and the 50,000 bonus released in 2009. The COA ordered the full refund of these year-end benefits.
“We should follow the law so that there will be no problem, otherwise it will be the employees who will suffer especially those who are retiring because the amount will be deducted from their benefits,” Defensor said.
The governor said: “The giving of bonuses should not be used for political gimmick because there are guidelines that govern it.”
Defensor, however, assured the Capitol employees they will receive the maximum allowable bonus.
Negotiation
Meanwhile, Defensor said they are still negotiating with COA the possible payment scheme for the refund of the P102.7 million extra bonus given to Capitol employees in 2009.
The COA disallowed the P50,000 bonus or Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) given to each employee last year by the Tupas administration because it was “granted despite the existence of excess in personal service limitation.”
In its notice of disallowance, the COA said the payment of PEI to Capitol employees in 2009 constitutes an irregular and illegal transaction.
Also, the Supreme Court affirmed the COA decision declaring as illegal the P21 million Capitol bonus given by the Tupas back in 2002.*
