MANILA - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas officials led by its late governor Nestor Espenilla, and Solicitor General Jose Calida and Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin were among the 10 highest paid government officials in 2018.

In the latest Report on Salaries and Allowances (ROSA) released by the Commission on Audit, Espenilla was the highest paid government official with an annual salary of P21,047,795.49, while Calida who is at 6th place received P12,469,650.68 and Bersamin at 9th place got P10,919,348.11.

Those included in the ROSA are principal officers and board members of Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), and national government agencies.

Completing the list of 10 highest paid officials are Development Bank of the Philippines President Cecilia Borromeo (P15,803,957.68); BSP Deputy Governors Diwa Gunigundo (P14,411,874.01), Maria Almasara Cyd Amador (P13,867,567.41) and Chuchi Fonacier (P13,504,417.73); BSP Assistant Governor Maria Ramona Santiago (P11,322,754.59); Government Service Insurance System President Jesus Aranas (P11,100,121.79); and BSP Assistant Governor Wilhelmina Mañalac (P10,888,551.74).

Included in the ROSA are salaries, Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), honoraria, other allowances, bonuses, incentives, benefits, Extraordinary and Miscellaneous Expenses (EME) and other indirect benefits.

Copies of the report were sent by COA to President Rodrigo Duterte, Senate President Tito Sotto, and Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In his letter to the three leaders, COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said the report was prepared pursuant to 1992 and 2016 COA memoranda as well as “this administration’s thrust for transparency and accountability in government transactions and operations.”

The complete ROSA can be downloaded from the COA website.