Deputies admitted they will get an $8,753 yearly bonus in addition to all their normal income and their Christmas bonus. CUARTOSCURO/SAÚL LÓPEZ
BY YVONNE REYES CAMPOS
The News
MEXICO CITY – Deputy members of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) admitted that this new year, the 498 legislators will receive a 150,000 pesos ($8,753) yearly bonus, in addition to subsidies such as the legislative assistance of 45,786 pesos, the citizen service of 28,772 pesos and a Christmas bonus of almost 200,000 pesos. All this in addition to their salary of 73,910 pesos per month.
PRI Vice Coordinator Jorge Carlos Ramírez said that he has no precise details on the origin of the resources, which would total 180 million pesos, but that if the Chamber of Deputies and the administration committee have allocated the resources properly, he would have no qualms about receiving them.
“If the resources are allocated as they are, then that money is for every deputy and I would take it. Frankly, I work well in here, I do my part and I believe in what the Chamber allocates as our salary and bonuses. What I wouldn’t do would be to take money that is not allocated to me,” he said.
PRD Coordinator Francisco Martínez said that the deputies who are members of his party also received the same bonus.
Members of the Congress are inconsistent when they criticize the paltry minimum wage increase for workers, while on the other hand receiving a 150,000 pesos bonus at the end of the year, said Martínez.
“If there is indeed a 150,000 bonus then it’s an agreement made by the management committee. I hope that those resources are properly implemented. The truth is society thinks this it’s wrong, but it’s not our fault. The management committee makes the decision and then they inform each of the parliamentary factions,” he said.