Palace defends 100% pay hike for Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines - There is nothing irregular about the doubling of the President’s salary as all state employees will be given a pay raise in the next four years. This was the reaction of Malacañang to criticisms against the four-year salary upgrade plan for state workers that will increase the President’s monthly pay to P120,000 from P60,000. The proposal had been submitted by the Department of Budget and Management to Congress. "This upgrading is not only for the President, this is for whole government bureaucracy," said Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza in a radio interview. Mr. Dureza said the President’s salary is still smaller compared to executives of large corporations. Under the salary upgrade plan, even Vice-President Manuel "Noli" L. de Castro, senators, congressmen and senior officials will enjoy a 100% pay hike. Employees and officials with lower ranks will also get a salary upgrade but in lower percentages, or by at least 50%. Budget Secretary Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. had previously said that the pay hikes are meant to narrow the gap between the salaries of state employees and their counterparts in the private sector. - BusinessWorld