Press Release
January 8, 2009

KIKO TO MALACANANG: INCREASE PROSECUTORS PAY IMMEDIATELY

With the House hearings dwelling on allegations that DOJ prosecutors had been bribed into dismissing the case of the so-called Alabang Boys, Kiko urges Malacanang to increase prosecutors pay immediately to keep government prosecutors away from temptation due to low pay.

"The resolution has sparked the controversy. Now there are bribery charges against officials of the DoJ and the prosecutor is being persecuted. We have to get to the bottom of things as this issue continues to stain with dishonor the image of the Department of Justice. Bribery and corruption in government is no new talk, so how do we find a solution to this perennial problem?" Kiko asked.

The PDEA made the bribery charges against certain officials of the DoJ when a 'sudden release order' was issued rushing the release of suspected drug dealers Richard Brodett, Joesph Tecson and Jorge Joseph, all scions of influential families, before Christmas day.

"The important role of government prosecutors in the fight against criminality and lawlessness has been the main reason for the commission of bribery and corruption. Government must push for the implementation of the Salary Standardization of government workers in order to prevent further acts of bribery and corruption in government," Kiko said.

The National Prosecution Service indicates an estimate of 30% vacancy rate, or over 400 prosecutor positions are vacant due to low compensation. It is also reported that a janitor in GSIS is paid more than a first level prosecutor in DoJ.

"Government prosecutors are underpaid and overworked. Unless we raise the salaries of the prosecutors, bribery and corruption will continue to thrive in government. Keeping our prosecutors honest with their low pay is to prepare them for sainthood," Kiko added.

"Why wait for another can of worms to be opened? It's time to seriously talk about the wage issue of our government workers," Kiko ended."

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