President Duterte said on Monday that he and his Cabinet members are not paid millions of pesos for their work and are actually paid the lowest salary despite their sacrifices as public servants.
(ARMAN BAYLON/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President candidly talked about having a measly salary as well as love for the country that fuel their dedication to work.
"Baka akala niyo milyon, milyon kami dito. Pinakamababa ako, Presidente. You know --- oo, totoo. How much? It’s 194 (You might think we are earning millions here. I have the lowest pay as president. It's true. How much? It's 194),” Duterte said during his televised address Monday night.
The 75-year-old leader claimed that he "commutes" between Manila and his hometown Davao City as well as splits his salary between his two families.
He said he has been "very honest" even during the presidential campaign that he has "two wives." "When you have two wives, you have two families. Eh paano?" he said.
The President recognized that his Cabinet members are also “sacrificing” by working in the government with low salary.
He said Cabinet members like Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and retired generals and now Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año could earn “10 times the salary” they get in government if they work in the private sector.
The Cabinet members, however, have preferred to render public service due to their love for the country, according to the President.
"Why are they really helping me to get rid of you? Kung maaari lang patayin ka? Alam mo bakit? Because simply they love their country," he said.
"For the fact that they are here because they want to help their country," he added.