Unfair, unjust Christmas bonuses

Once again, all government employees in the Philippines have found themselves in the good graces of Santa Claus, with the Christmas bonus they have received.

To the government, giving such bonuses to employees is a gesture of gratitude for good service. And to poor and ordinary employees, that extra money means a lot for their family’s budget for the Christmas celebration.

However, the government is being unfair and unjust in giving everyone in the government employ a Christmas bonus, regardless of their individual performance and honesty and as long as employees have met the required years of service.

If only Santa Claus were the one to decide, he’d give bonuses only to employees who are good and honest workers. He will disqualify those who are incompetent, lazy and abusive of their position.

An across-the-board bonus is a counterproductive gesture, as it will have negative effects on good and honest employees.

This unfair and unjust manner of giving Christmas bonuses should have been corrected by our lawmakers. But it is unbelievable as well that employees of the House of Representatives were granted P150,000 each as bonus this Christmas.

For heaven’s sake, what reasonable reasons can congressmen give in the context of fairness and decency to justify this clear abuse of position?

What is happening to us? Unsa may nahitabo kanato?

Arsenio Unajan Baquilid
arseniobaquilid@yahoo.com