Supreme Court sets oral arguments over public nurses' salary

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court set oral arguments on the petition filed by Ang Nars party-list against the government over the basic pay of public nurses, almost four years since the plea was filed.

In an advisory by the SC Public Information Office on Friday, the tribunal set the  petition for oral arguments on February 26.

In 2015, former Rep. Leah Primitiva Samaco Paquiz (Ang Nars) asked the SC to compel the Department of Budget and Management to enact a provision of Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act in 2002.

READ: Pay hike for nurses sought

The group cited Section 32 of RA 9173 that provides: “In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of nurses the minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade 15.”

The nurses’ group assailed Executive Order No. 811 issued by then-president, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which set the entry level of nurses at salary grade 11.

Salary for public workers saw an increase since the petition was filed.

Those with Salary Grade 15 can earn as much as P31,545, while those with salary grade 11 can receive as much as P22,055.

The petition argued that it is the ministerial duty of the government to implement the law notwithstanding the existence of EO 811 issued by the Arroyo administration.

Named as respondents in the petition are the executive secretary, Health secretary and Budget chief. — Kristine Joy Patag