President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced that he will be distributing at least Php 50,000 Christmas bonus to every government employee under the Office of the President.
Duterte announced his decision on Monday, December 3 upon the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony after being teased by his eldest daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. The chief executive also revealed that he initially offered Php 40,000 but decided to increase it after his daughter.
“Sabi in Inday, ‘Bakit naman kayo sa Mayila, national capital, 40K? Ang aking bigay doon sa Davao, 50K,” Duterte said, quoting her daughter. Recently, Inday Sara gave Php 50,000 each to all their city hall personnel.
“So hindi tayo magpahuli sa Davao,” the chief executive added following the applaud of the audience.
However, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Tuesday, December 4 asked Duterteto give cash gifts to all government personnel. In a statement, ACT asked Duterte “to take into consideration the whole government bureaucracy, not to play favorites in giving out benefits and bonuses.”
“Yet it seems Duterte often forgets that he’s no longer merely a mayor anymore, but the President of the Philippines,” the group said.
