MANILA, Philippines - Unlike the Senate and the House of Representatives, employees and officials of the Office of the President have no additional holiday bonuses.
 
"On top of the 13th month [pay], P5,000 cash bonus and P5,000 productivity enhancement incentive, the only bonus we get is the performance-based bonus," Budget Secretary Butch Abad told ABS-CBN News.
 
The Palace declined to comment on the practice of the Senate and the House to give additional funds to legislators sourced from savings.
 
"The Senate has fiscal autonomy from the executive. We can't tell them how to spend their money and there is a separation of powers. And, at this point, I think you can see that we are managing our funds in the way we see fit. At this point, we would not have any reaction to what's going on as far as that issue is concerned in the Senate," Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ricky Carandang told reporters.
 
"At this point, that's something that is better for the Senate to deal with. We don't have to comment on every issue that comes out and this is clearly an issue for the Senate. As a separate branch of government, we will refrain from making any comment on that for now," he added.
 
What's the PBB?

The administration has introduced the performance-based bonus (PBB) to reward performing employees but the government office they are working in should also perform well during the year before they can be eligible to receive the PBB. 
 
Unlike the yearend bonus and cash gift, the PBB is not a mandatory bonus for government employees.
 
A top-performing government employee from a top-ranking agency may receive as much as P35,000. The amount will vary depending on the employee's output.
 
"His or her performance from January to December this year will be appraised against--these are the keywords--measurable, objective, and empirical set of criteria," Abad said in a previous briefing.

The PBB will be distributed to "to deserving employees from January to March in 2013."
 
The date of release will also vary depending on when an agency is expected to complete its targets.