MALACAÑANG and Congress leaders have agreed to fast-track the implementation of the salary standardization law 3 (SSL 3) through a resolution when Congress opens session later this month, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said on Wednesday.

Andaya said he has prepared the resolution for the salary hike, which would be incorporated in the proposed 2009 budget.

Asked whether it is possible for state workers to obtain a P3,000 pay hike, Andaya said, “I will submit it right after the State of the Nation Address of the President to Congress.”

He said that Palace officials, led by President Arroyo, had initial discussions with Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and Speaker Prospero Nograles on the possibility of SSL 3, and on whether it could be fast-tracked.

“There was a unanimous decision that this will be done through a resolution [for a] speedy implementation, just like what they did for SSL 2 when it was done through a resolution. We are ready with the resolution and [with steps to ensure] that the funding [would] be incorporated in the 2009 budget proposal,” Andaya said.

The budget chief earlier said that the first tranche of the SSL 3 would amount to P10.3 billion, part of the P75-billion total required for salary increases of state workers until 2010. Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said present conditions do not warrant another round of wage increases.

“I think it is reasonable to say that the present condition does not warrant a condition that we should think again of talking [about] wage increase by the regional wage boards or by legislation,” Ermita said. He was reacting to calls for another wage hike less than a year after the last wage adjustment.

‘Princess’ owners plan to sue Marina

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Del Monte turns tables on Sulpicio

DEL Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) on Wednesday showed documents that would disprove the claim of Sulpicio Lines—owner of the stricken MV Princess of the Stars—that it misdeclared the endosulfan cargo it shipped onboard the upturned vessel.

‘Headless’ Abus more dangerous–Yano

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Bombers meted out life imprisonment

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the guilty verdict handed down by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Makati City against an Indonesian and two Filipino members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who were behind the 2005 Valentine’s Day bombing on Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Congress, Palace to fast-track salary standardization, part 3

MALACAÑANG and Congress leaders have agreed to fast-track the implementation of the salary standardization law 3 (SSL 3) through a resolution when Congress opens session later this month, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said on Wednesday.

Solon seeks salary increase for teachers

SAYING that their salary is one of the lowest and officially ranks them among the poorest in the country, a militant legislator filed a bill on Wednesday seeking to increase the salary of public-school teachers by P9,000 a month.

Cops set to file kidnapping charges against Ces’s guide

POLICE investigators will include Juamil “Mameng” Biyaw as a respondent in the kidnapping charges filed against Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider.

Among: Mayors should be sued, not me

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—While Gov. Eddie Panlilio agrees that his province, Pampanga, is in violation of the solid-waste management law and is now No. 8 among provincial waste generators in the country, he claimed that only mayors and not governors should be sued.