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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOST chief highest paid Marcos Cabinet official in 2025 — COA

DOST chief highest paid Marcos Cabinet official in 2025 — COA

Published May 7, 2026 07:44 pm
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (JEL SANTOS/ MB PHOTO)
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (JEL SANTOS/ MB PHOTO)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emerged as the highest paid member of President Marcos’ Cabinet in 2025, receiving a total net pay of P6.66 million, per the latest report released by the Commission on Audit (COA).
In its 2025 Report on Salaries and Allowances or ROSA, COA said Solidum’s earnings were P281,000 higher than his 2024 net pay of P6.38 million.
The audit report showed that Solidum’s 2025 compensation included P3.51 million in basic salary as DOST secretary for 12 months; P1.623 million in allowances; P1.093 million in bonuses, incentives, and benefits; P264,000 in discretionary, extraordinary, and miscellaneous expenses; P24,000 in additional compensation and honorarium; and P137,119.55 from prior years’ adjustment.
Also, COA records showed that Solidum did not receive additional compensation for serving as board member of several government agencies, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Coconut Authority, National Dairy Authority, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), and the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS).
Meantime, former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla ranked second among Cabinet officials with a net pay of P5.97 million.
The report stated that Remulla received P2.93 million in basic salary as DOJ secretary for the first 10 months of 2025.
While he did not receive basic salary upon assuming office as Ombudsman in October, Remulla received P1.269 million in allowances and P659,716 in bonuses, incentives, and benefits, bringing his total earnings as Ombudsman to P1.929 million.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma placed third with a net pay of P5.96 million, followed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian with P5.49 million.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez ranked fifth with P5.378 million, while Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. received P5.202 million.
Also included in the top 10 highest paid Marcos Cabinet officials were Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa with P5.163 million; Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III with P5.147 million; Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. with P4.98 million; and National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año with P4.971 million.

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DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr highest paid Marcos Cabinet official 2025 COA ROSA Net Pay Salary
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