MANILA, Philippines -- Despite having no savings this year, policemen all over the country will still receive performance bonuses, Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr. assured on Wednesday.

Razon said all policemen, regardless of rank and position, will receive P7,000 from the Department of Budget Management before Christmas day.

"We’re happy at mayroon ng pandagdag na magagamit ng kapulisan sa Christmas [We’re happy that the police will have something extra to use on Christmas],” Razon said in a phone interview.

The granting of the performance bonus is contained in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Administrative Order No. 213 "in recognition of [government workers’] contribution to attaining efficiency in government, and to improve their economic welfare."

"All personnel of the government who are employed by National Government Agencies and Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GOCC), including Government Financial Institutions (GFI), whether hired on permanent, temporary, casual or contractual basis, and who have rendered at least four months of service as of November 30, 2007, are entitled to receive a one-time grant of a maximum of P10,000 as performance bonus," the order said.

However, because the PNP has no savings, its personnel will receive only P7,000.

At the same time, Razon reminded the 120,000-strong police not to turn to extortion for additional income.

"Bawal mangotong, bawal humingi ng lagay si Mamang Pulis [Extortion is prohibited, Mr. Policeman cannot ask for bribes]. The public should immediately report it to us kung may mga pulis na ganoon [if there are policemen like that]," Razon said.