Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said Senate Legislative Initiative 17-05 should address the public’s concerns regarding austerity measures that affect only the salaries of ordinary government employees.
“We believe it is unjust to ask our people to forego a portion of their salaries while we remain exempt. Leaders must lead by example, we are not better than our constituents and should only ask them to sacrifice when we do so in kind,” Manglona said in the findings of his legislative initiative.
“Indeed, those in constitutionally protected positions are better placed to shoulder the burden of reduced pay than the vast majority of our workforce,” he added.
A legislative initiative is a proposed constitutional amendment that must be approved by the three-fourths vote in both houses of the Legislature to be included on the ballot in the next general elections.
It does not require the governor’s approval.
In related news, Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota, will conduct public hearing on the austerity bill at the Kagman Community Center today, April 13, at 6 p.m.
