Rags to Riches: Reasons for running for office

Author Stephen Birmingham wrote in America's Secret Aristocracy that early American presidents died almost broke, having spent much of their fortune helping the government in the early decades of their nation. He further wrote that politics was such an expensive endeavor that the only way to earn while in office was to steal. This reality from the late 1700s to the early 1800s in America, still rings true today not just in the United States but in practically every country in the world.

Recently, several lawmakers were exposed to own expensive watches, handbags, and cars after photos of these “people's representatives” came out showing them with these luxury items. It is thus quite difficult not to ask the following questions: how does a former professor who used to ride tricycles and who used locally-made handbags afford Hermes and other name brand bags and haute couture dresses with the salary of a legislator? How can a bishop of a local church (who is also a congressman) be able to buy luxury vehicles with his salary? How much do our politicians really make?

Politicians’ salaries have increased substantially over the years. During the Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña were paid P30,000 annually, which remained more or less the same until the Marcos presidency, which had risen to P60,000 per year, which later increased substantially during his 20-year rule. When Corazon C. Aquino was president, her salary was around P100,000 annually, increasing in every administration due to inflation and salary standardization: Fidel V. Ramos received P204,000 annually; Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s was approximately P207,000 annually; by the end of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, it was around P298,000 annually; Benigno Aquino III’s monthly salary was P120,000, or P1.44 million annually; further salary adjustments for government employees increased the president’s salary during Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration, his monthly compensation between P411,382 to P423,723, due to the Salary Standardization Law of 2019. President Marcos, Jr.’s current salary is between P428,994 to P441,863. By the end of his term, it would be between P459-472,000 per month, or roughly P5.5-5.7 million yearly.

Governors started with P5,000 to 10,000 annually in pre-World War II Philippines, now increased to over P2 million annually. The salary of members of the House of Representatives, meanwhile, has also seen significant growth. In 2022, legislators earned P3.28 million to P3.75 million annually, with the Speaker’s at P325,807 to P374,678 monthly. This was a huge jump from their compensation during the Commonwealth, with both senators and representatives paid an annual compensation of just P7,200, which already included per diems and other emoluments or allowances. Meanwhile, the Senate President and the Speaker received the same annual compensation of P16,000.

The salaries of our government officials, compared to the salaries of ordinary workers and laborers, seem truly gargantuan. Imagine this: a kasambahay is paid, at the very minimum, P6,000 per month, or P200/day, while a congressman gets a daily salary of roughly P10,400/day. Add the “allowances” for travels, house rental, consultation and research fees, and a legislator truly has more money to spend than even the most successful business executives in private firms.

The perks and benefits of Philippine politics make it very appealing. The late Cebuano genealogist, Vip Aleonar, once said that having cabezas de barangay in your family tree should not be a cause of pride. Historically, many of these functionaries resorted to corruption because they were forced to pay the government any amount that was not collected from the masses. To avoid shelling out their own money, they would either reuse to run for reelection or learn how to help themselves to the public coffers. Today, the salaries of public officials have drastically increased and the systems have become easier and better for a Filipino to serve his constituents. The theft and corruption, however, have also increased a thousand-fold, unfortunately!