Philippine envoy to China highest paid exec in 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Erlinda Basilio was the highest paid government official in 2014, according to a report on salaries and allowances (ROSA) released by the Commission on Audit (COA) yesterday.

Records show that she received over P16.439 million last year, including a basic pay of P947,352 and allowances reaching P15.345 million along with bonuses, incentives and benefits amounting to P146,318.57.

Named to the Beijing embassy in December 2012, Basilio was not on the list of COA’s top 10 highest paid government officials in 2013.

The emoluments of a diplomat include not only their basic salary but also allowances for overseas assignment, according to Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose.

“Allowances, which are provided in our regulations, are commensurate to one’s rank and position,” he said.

The cost of living in the post where diplomats are assigned are also taken into account, Jose said.

Second to Basilio in the 2014 list is Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Robert Vergara, who received P12.567 million last year.

Those in the third to eighth spot in the ROSA are also diplomats, led by Ambassador to London Enrique Manalo, who received P12.342 million.

Lourdes Yparraguirre (Vienna) follows with P11.745 million; Maria Teresa Taguiang (Tokyo) with P10.905 million; World Trade Organization (WTO) permanent representative Esteban   Conejos Jr. with P10.701 million; Philippe Jones Lhuillier (Lisbon) with P10.564 million; and Maria Cleofe Natividad (Berlin) with P9.863 million.– Michael Punongbayan, Pia Lee-Brago