DOST chief Solidum highest paid Cabinet secretary in 2025

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. received the highest amount of salary and allowances among Cabinet members for the year 2025 at P6.66 million, the Commission on Audit’s 2025 Report on Salaries and Allowances showed.

Second to Solidum was Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, who received P5.97 million in compensation.

Laguesma was followed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at P5.49 million.

Rounding up the top 10 earners among Cabinet members for 2025 were:

• Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., with P5.2 million (Department of Agriculture)
• Teodoro Herbosa with P5.16 million (Department of Health)
• Conrado Estrella III with P5.15 million (Department of Agrarian Reform)
• Andres Centino with P5 million (President Adviser for Maritime Concerns)
• Eduardo Año with P4.97 million (National Security Adviser)
• Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. with P4.96 million (Special Assistant to the President) and
• Larry Gadon with P4.95 million (Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation)

Solicitor General Darlene Berbarabe ranked 11th with P4.92 million, followed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. with P4.9 million.

Ranking 13th was former Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco with P4.89 million, followed by Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan with P4.88 million.

The COA's report on salaries and allowances is prepared to monitor emoluments, personnel allowances and benefits paid to the high-ranking government officials holding multiple positions in various government agencies.

Aside from the secretaries and other officials of national government agencies, the COA report also includes the principal officers and members of the governing board of Government-Owned or-Controlled Corporations, including their subsidiaries; of the Water Districts; State Universities and Colleges; and other standalone agencies. —AOL, GMA News