President Duterte Declares No Bonuses To Officials Of State-Run Firms Without His Approval

It will now be harder for officials of state-run firms to get fat bonuses as President Rodrigo Duterte declared that they can no longer receive additional compensation without his approval.

In a speech during the ground-breaking ceremony of a power plant in Sarangani, President Duterte claimed that some officials from government-owned and controlled corporations rewarded themselves “liberally” with taxpayers’ money.

“Kayong nasa (You who are in) government corporations and SSS (Social Security System), you award yourselves with the money of the people I have issued an order. You go down, down as down,” the President said.

“There will be no more increases of your salary of your monument without my approval. I will bring you to my level,” he added.

President Duterte noted that as President, he only receives a monthly salary of P130,000.

“I go home, I do not sleep in the Palace. I do not like the word ‘palace,’ just say the Office of the President,” he said.

“If you ask me if I am exceedingly happy to be president? I’ll tell you this: I do not need it at this time of my life. All the applauses and praises and adulation for 40 years of being a politician including being a Congressman and the Vice Mayor to my daughter. I’ve had enough of it. It does not ring a bell and all I am doing now is just work, work, and work,” President Duterte said.

Early this month, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the Duterte administration is planning to limit the bonuses and pay given to officials and employees of state-run firms.

Pernia said officials of government-owned and or controlled corporations enjoy monthly honoraria as well as a P40,000 honorarium per meeting.

He said while state-run firms should be competitive, the bonuses being received by their officials and employees should be tempered.

In the same speech, President Duterte reiterated that he would not tolerate any form of corruption in government.

He mentioned his demand for officials of the Energy Regulatory Commission to resign.

The President asked ERC officials to quit after the apparent suicide of its Bids and Awards Committee Chair who was allegedly pressured to approve anomalous deals.

“An energy board that fixes the price of what you should pay for the energy sector are all there corrupt. That’s connected with energy. Until now they are still there. Stay there, but I will transfer your office to Basilan,” the President said.

President Duterte said while he has his own share of faults, corruption is not one of them.

Source: Newswatch PH