JUST HOW MUCH does a Philippine President receive as salary per month? How could President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. be worth P1.375 billion if he has only been in office for less than three and a half years?
In a data collated by The PH Insider research team, the President of the Philippines holds the highest position in the government, classified under Salary Grade 33.
Salary Grade 33 translates to a monthly basic salary ranging from P438,844 to P451,713 — or roughly P5,266,128 to P5,420,556 per year.
The specific amount within such a range depends on the “step” level, as defined by the government’s Compensation and Position Classification Act.
In addition to the basic salary, the President also receives significant non-monetary benefits, which include an official residence (Malacañang Palace), foreign travel, transportation, security detail, and healthcare coverage.
CUERVO APPRAISERS
Interestingly, an assessment made by professional asset valuation firm Cuervo Appraisers hinted at Marcos Jr. as declaring on December 31,2024 a net worth amounting to P1.375 billion, which is roughly P400 million higher than the P908 million that was declared when he assumed the Presidency on June 31, 2022.
Compared to the P79 million net worth that Marcos Jr. declared 20 years ago, his December 31, 2024 value translates to 1,600 percent increase.
Cuervo’s assessment was based on the company’s evaluation of the value of the chief executive’s properties and those of his wife, First Lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos.
PREVIOUS APPRAISALS
Marcos Jr.’s statement of Assets, Liabilities and net worth (SALN) showed that their net worth went up to p120 million in 2007, his last year as governor.
In 2008, as an Ilocos Norte congressman, their net worth increased to almost P180 million and in the following year, it surged to over P315.5 million in view of their shares in a Cabuyao property that the Sandiganbayan ordered returned to his family.
As senator, Marcos’ 2010 SALN indicated a net worth of P311.5 million and by 2012, it reached P437 million primarily attributed to investments, shares of stock and an art collection — notwithstanding liabilities pegged to be more than P34 million.
ELECTORAL PROTEST
Cuervo’s appraisal went on to register the Marcos couple’s net worth went up to P510 million in 2014 and by the following year, it leveled to P533 million.
Before his term came to an end, Marcos Jr. registered a net worth amounting to P619 million. Then he ran for the position of Vice President.
Despite heavy election spending, Marcos Jr. was defeated by Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo during the 2016 vice presidential bid. Interestingly, he continued burning resources by filing an election protest, which must have cost him a fortune.
The protest didn’t prosper.
MARCOS’ BIG COMEBACK
In 2022, Marcos Jr. made a political comeback. He ran for President and handily won over the same candidate who defeated him in 2016. At that time, his net worth was pegged at P908 million.
It was not certain though how much he spent in his successful presidential bid.
Three years later, Marcos Jr.’s net worth surged to an astonishing P1.375 billion.