PH envoys receive most indirect pay

Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Diplomats under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) received the biggest amount of the indirect benefits, or “reimbursable compensation” last year, with Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr. at the top of the list.

Locsin, who was also named the special envoy to China in August, got P18.3 million last year in indirect compensation, according to the 2023 Commission on Audit’s (COA) Report on Salaries and Allowances released on Thursday.

This includes a quarters allowance worth $314,395 (or P17.47 million), a post allowance worth $14,400 (or P800,165), and his provident fund worth P56,760. A foreign exchange of $1:P55.567 on Dec. 29, 2023, was used in the COA report.

According to the Department of Budget and Management’s Manual on Position Classification and Compensation, indirect compensation is “usually noncash or in-kind benefit items that contribute to the employee’s welfare, standard of living and personal development.” Classified under this are insurances, paid leaves, overseas allowance and training programs.

Post allowances

Post allowances are given to cover “unusual expenses incident to the operation and maintenance of the official residence suitable for the chief of diplomatic mission or consular,” the manual also said.

Quarters allowance, on the other hand, are provided to personnel in the foreign service for the rental and maintenance of their residences at the diplomatic post.

Locsin was followed by Ambassador to Iran Roberto Manalo (P10.7 million), Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. (P10.4 million), Consul General to Los Angeles Edgar Badajos (P9.51 million) and Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen (P9.47 million).

Other recipients

Next to them who also had huge indirect benefits were Ambassador to Korea Ma. Theresa De Vega (P9.46 million), Ambassador to the Netherlands Jose Eduardo Malaya III (P8.11 million), Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Meñez (P7.54 million); Consul General in Honolulu Emilio Fernandez (P7.48 million); Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Alfonso Ver (P7.39 million).

Covered by the report are high-ranking officials and members of the board of government owned and controlled corporations; cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and officers of the same rank in government agencies; and top officials and members of the State Universities and Colleges.

For the 2023 COA report, a total of 9,513 officers and members from 1,007 government agencies were listed.