CLAIM: A certain Gian Chris Almanda Co addressed all public teachers in Facebook last March 12 as he claimed that the bill which seeks to increase the salaries of teachers introduced by former senator and now presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in 2012 was not approved and was stopped at the first reading because he was a Marcos and the president that time was Benigno ‘Noynoy” Aquino III.
Co also shared that in 2016, Bongbong filed another bill with the same purpose. The act, he said, showed the latter’s persistence and his serious plan to invest in Philippine teachers.
As of today, Apr. 24, the post got 29,000 reactions and 63,000 shares.
RATING: FALSE
FACTS:
Based on the records of the Philippine Senate, the Public School Teacher’s Salary Upgrading Act or Senate Bill No. 3106 filed by Bongbong in January 2012 passed the first reading and was referred to the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, Civil Service and Government Reorganization and Finance.
In 2013, he filed Senate Bill 109 with the same content. It passed the First Reading and remained pending in the Committee level.
According to The Official Gazette of the Philippines, the 1987 Constitution mandated the legislative power to the Senate and the House of Representatives. It said that bills are passed into laws when they are approved by both houses and the President of the Philippines.
A bill may be vetoed by the President, but the House of Representatives may overturn a presidential veto by getting two-thirds of the total votes. If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt.
Davao Today is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.
