Letter to Sen. Trillanes on the proposed amendments on SSL 4
Senate of the Philippines
Ralph G. Recto
Senate President Pro-Tempore
January 18, 2016
Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV
Chairperson
Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization
Senate of the Philippines
Financial Center, Roxas Blvd.,
Pasay City
Dear Senator Trillanes:
Attached is this representation’s proposed amendments for consideration in the Bicameral Conference Committee on the conflicting provisions of the Salary Standardization Law 4 or the SSL 4 (SB No. 2671 and HB No. 6268).
We need to assure the government employees enjoying magna carta benefits that there will be no diminution in their compensation scheme especially their take home pay.
The amendments refer to the concerns of the Department of Science and Technology and other Departments with magna carta benefits which may be affected by the implementation of the SSL 4.
Thank you and best regards.
Very truly yours,
RALPH G. RECTO
Cc: Sen. Loren B. Legarda
Sen. Vicente C. Sotto III
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar
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SENATE BILL NO. 2671 (Under Committee Report No. 105)
SECTION 8. Compensation System.
(i) Magna Carta Benefits – These are the benefits authorized for specific officials and employees under Magna Carta laws that may be categorized in the Total Compensation Framework in accordance with the guidelines, rules and regulations to be issued by the DBM.
The DBM, in coordination with the agencies concerned, shall determine the qualifications, conditions and rates in the grant of said benefits. Accordingly, the consultative councils, departments and officials previously authorized to issue the implementing rules and regulations of Magna Carta benefits shall no longer exercise said function relative to the grant of such benefits.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
1. On page 28, Section 8, subsection (i), line 16, insert the following paragraph:
“NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE INTERPRETED TO REDUCE, DIMINISH OR, IN ANY WAY, ALTER THE BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR IN EXISTING LAWS ON MAGNA CARTA BENEFITS FOR SPECIFIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES IN GOVERNMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SAID BENEFITS HAVE BEEN ALREADY RECEIVED OR HAVE YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED.”
2. On the same page, second paragraph, line 17, delete the phrase, “in coordination” and replace with the word “jointly”;
On the same paragraph, page 29, lines 1 to 5, delete the last sentence, “Accordingly, the consultative councils, departments and officials previously authorized to issue the implementing rules and regulations of Magna Carta benefits shall no longer exercise said function relative to the grant of such benefits.”
The paragraph shall now read as:
“The DBM, [in coordination] JOINTLY with the agencies concerned, shall determine the qualifications, conditions and rates in the grant of said benefits. [Accordingly, the consultative councils, departments and officials previously authorized to issue the implementing rules and regulations of Magna Carta benefits shall no longer exercise said function relative to the grant of such benefits.]”
3. Section 8, subsection (i) shall now read as:
“(i) Magna Carta Benefits. – These are the benefits authorized for specific officials and employees under Magna Carta laws that may be categorized in the Total Compensation Framework in accordance with the guidelines, rules and regulations to be issued by the DBM.
Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to reduce, diminish or, in any way, alter the benefits provided for in existing laws on Magna Carta benefits for specific officials and employees in government, regardless of whether said benefits have been already received or have yet to be implemented.”
The DBM, jointly with the agencies concerned, shall determine the qualifications, conditions and rates in the grant of said benefits.”
