It pays to be in govt service

ELEVEN magistrates of the Supreme Court were among the top 100 officials who received the highest salary and allowances for 2011, the Commission on Audit (COA) reported, recently.

Officials of the Government Security Insurance System dominated the top ten with Executive Vice President Benedicto Jose Arcinas leading the way at 3rd with P8.97 million.

However, officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ( BSP) dominated the top 50 with 18 officials led by BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. at the topmost with P10.58 million.

Leading the High Court as best-paid jurist is Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., who landed on 47th spot with a total of P4.63 million.

Following him at 52nd place is Associate Justice Antonio Carpio with P4.56 million. Down two spots at 54th is Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo- de Castro with P4.55 million.

At 59th is Associate Justice Arturo Brion with P4.41 million. Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin landed ten notches below at P4.05 million, while Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta placed 72nd with P4 million.

Former chief justice Renato Corona secured the 85th spot at P3.57 million, followed by Associate Justice Jose Mendoza at 86th with P3.45 million.

With P3.25 million each are Associate Justices Mariano del Castillo and Martin Villarama Jr. at 90th spot.

Associate Justice Jose Perez rounded the top 100 at 93rd place with P3.16 million.

Just beneath the hundredth mark are former jurist and now Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales at 108th place (P2.98 million), incumbent Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno at 112th place (P2.92 million) and Associate Justice Roberto Abad at 114th place (P2.90 million).

The list was part of the Commission’s agency-wide annual financial report.