Abolish RTWPB,
labor groups call
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Abolish the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board!

That was the call of about 5,000 workers, who marched down the main streets of Bacolod City in three separate rallies during the commemoration of the 126th Labor Day yesterday.

Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Teddy Casiño slammed President Benigno Aquino III for not supporting the P125 across the board salary being pushed by labor.

The family of slain Kabankalan Judge Henry Arles, who was laid to rest at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Bacolod City at noon yesterday amid a 21-gun salute, announced that they are offering a P1 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for his assassination.

The mechanics for the payment of the P1 million reward to civilians or law enforcement agents who may solve the murder of Arles is expected to be completed today, Arles’ brother-in-law Ted Britanico, told the DAILY STAR yesterday.

The payment of the reward will be done by the family in consultation with the government agencies involved in the investigation into the death of her father, lawyer Ma. Estelita "Ria" Arles said.

The Church is appealing to all employers to be more generous to their workers and laborers in the spirit of charity, Fr. Anecito Buenafe, chairman of the Negros Coalition for Social Change, said at the labor forum held yesterday at the St. Mary Vianney Hall of the St. Sebastian Parish Building in Bacolod City.

He said in crises like this, families with high income must be generous to families with low income because the P12 wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board is not substantial.

He said the workers have been asking for a P125 across the board wage increase and if employers will agree to it, it will only cut 12 percent of their profit.