Trade chief not quitting over low pay, says Palace

Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo: Not quitting Aquino Cabinet over low pay. (dti.gov.ph photo)

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang said on Monday Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo is not quitting the Cabinet over the relatively low pay in government.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said all Cabinet officials, including Domingo, were aware that their posts would come with a relatively low pay, compared with those in the private sector.

“The purpose for entering government service is to make a positive difference for the benefit of the people, not to get a high salary. That’s been made very, very clear from the very start, and that is his (Domingo’s) position,” he said in a briefing.

When he joined the Aquino Cabinet in 2010, Domingo “knew what he was getting into,” he added. “He knew what sacrifices were needed to be made and everything that entails. He accepted all of this.”

Lacierda, however, could not say if he was quitting over other reasons.

“It has never been the topic of discussion,” he said when asked if Domingo was quitting for other reasons. “I think there was a column that came out that says he was planning to resign because of the low salary and he was allegedly envious because his salary is lower than his undersecretary’s. That’s not true.”

Domingo was among the first to be appointed by the President to his Cabinet in 2010.

Lacierda said all Cabinet officials served “at the pleasure” of the President. He said that normally officials left government service for “familial reasons.” He could not say if Domingo was among those who committed to serve the Aquino administration for only two years.