Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Every election season, politicians flood our streets with posters, dance to viral trends, and make grand promises about change and progress. But have you ever stopped to wonder—how much do these elected officials actually earn? More importantly, why do they earn significantly more than doctors, nurses, and teachers who dedicate years of study and training to serve the public?
Top Government Officials – Salary Grades and Monthly Salaries (2025, Second Tranche)
President – Salary Grade 33 – ₱438,844
Vice President – Salary Grade 32 – ₱347,888
Senator – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Congressman/Representative – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Supreme Court Associate Justice – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Constitutional Commission Chairman – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Department Secretary – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Executive Secretary – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Solicitor General – Salary Grade 31 – ₱293,191
Constitutional Commission Commissioner – Salary Grade 30 – ₱203,200
Department Undersecretary – Salary Grade 30 – ₱203,200
How Much Do Politicians Earn?
In the Philippines, government officials hold some of the highest-paying jobs despite having minimal qualifications. The President takes home a staggering ₱438,844 per month, classified under Salary Grade (SG) 33. Meanwhile, the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court all earn ₱347,888 per month under SG-32.
Lawmakers aren’t far behind. Senators and Congressmen each receive ₱293,191 per month, which places them under SG-31. Even at the local level, politicians still earn sizable salaries—Provincial Governors and City Mayors make ₱273,278 per month, while Municipal Mayors receive ₱154,065. Their Vice Governors and Vice Mayors earn ₱196,206 per month under SG-28, almost four times more than a newly licensed doctor.
How Much Do Licensed Professionals Earn?
Now, compare these figures to those of newly licensed professionals who work in critical sectors like education and healthcare:
A Medical Officer I (licensed doctor) earns ₱51,357 per month (SG-18).
A Nurse I receives ₱36,619 per month (SG-15).
A Teacher I—who helps educate the next generation—earns just ₱29,798 per month (SG-11).
A Head Teacher I gets slightly higher at ₱31,320 per month (SG-13).
These figures reveal a shocking disparity: a Senator earns more than ten times the salary of a newly hired teacher and nearly seven times more than a doctor.
The Harsh Reality: Political Dynasties Control These High-Paying Positions
What makes this even more troubling is the fact that many of these high-salary positions are controlled by political dynasties—families who hold power across multiple generations. Instead of electing fresh, competent leaders, Filipinos often see the same last names appear on ballots every election.
Political dynasties aren’t just about one family member being in power. Many of them take turns occupying different seats—one as Mayor, another as Congressman, then as Governor, then Senator. Some even swap positions in consecutive elections, keeping their hold on power while collectively earning millions of pesos every month from taxpayer money.
This creates a cycle where power stays within a few families, blocking ordinary Filipinos with real skills and expertise from entering politics. Worse, many of these politicians have no strong educational background, no track record of public service, and no real qualifications—yet they enjoy salaries much higher than professionals who spent years studying medicine, engineering, or law.
Why Are We Paying So Much for So Little?
The biggest question remains: Are we getting our money’s worth? While some politicians work hard and deliver results, many simply use their positions to campaign for re-election or secure government contracts for their businesses. They pass few meaningful laws, prioritize self-interest over public welfare, and turn politics into a family enterprise.
Meanwhile, doctors are overworked in underfunded hospitals, nurses leave for better pay abroad, and teachers struggle with low wages and poor working conditions—all while our taxes go toward lavish government salaries and benefits.
What Can We Do? Vote Wisely.
The 2025 elections are fast approaching, and this is our chance to change the system. Filipinos must ask themselves:
Why do we elect the same political families when their track record shows little improvement in governance?
Why do politicians earn 10 times more than the professionals who actually provide essential services?
Why do we accept that someone with no educational background or professional experience can earn over ₱300,000 per month, while teachers and nurses barely earn enough to survive?
Instead of voting for familiar last names, let’s choose leaders with real qualifications, those who prioritize education, healthcare, and public welfare over personal wealth.
Every vote counts. Every bad vote costs us millions. It’s time to break the cycle of political dynasties and ensure that our tax money goes to those who truly deserve it.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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