1 hour ago
1
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
In this photo uploaded on Facebook on May 2, 2026 shows Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. in Baler, Aurora.
Baler Municipal Tourism Office via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. was the highest-paid Cabinet official in 2025, receiving P6.66 million in total salary and allowances, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).
Based on COA’s 2025 Report on Salaries and Allowances (ROSA), Solidum earned P6,660,249.89 last year, staying on top of the Cabinet pay rankings for the third straight year. His compensation also rose from P6.38 million in 2024 and P6.06 million in 2023.
Former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla placed second with P5.97 million. He earned P4.04 million while serving as DOJ chief and P1.93 million after being appointed Ombudsman in October 2025.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma ranked third with P5.96 million.
Completing the top 10 highest-paid Cabinet officials were:
- Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian — P5.49 million
- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. — P5.2 million
- Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa — P5.16 million
- Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III — P5.15 million
- Presidential Adviser for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino — P5 million
- Former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año — P4.97 million
- Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. — P4.96 million
- Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon — P4.95 million
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. followed with P4.98 million, while Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe posted P4.92 million. Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque earned P4.85 million.
Former Environment and Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla recorded a combined P4.8 million from his posts at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Energy.
Other Cabinet members included Education Secretary Sonny Angara (P4.78 million), Executive Secretary and former Finance chief Ralph Recto (P4.77 million), Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla (P4.67 million), former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (P4.27 million), Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro (P4.02 million) and Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon (P3.7 million).
Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan earned P3.19 million, while former Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go received P3.09 million.
COA said its 1,462-page ROSA report compiles salary and allowance data from 1,003 agencies, including national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges and water districts.
The report is prepared to monitor the emoluments, allowances and benefits received by high-ranking government officials, including those holding multiple posts across different agencies.
Aside from Cabinet secretaries and other national government officials, the ROSA also covers principal officers and members of governing boards of GOCCs and their subsidiaries, water districts, state universities and colleges and other standalone agencies.
Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management said Cabinet secretaries and other top officials are classified under Salary Grade 31 under the Salary Standardization Law, which carries a minimum monthly pay of P293,191 as of January 2025.
