Dear PAO,

I am a government employee who is currently serving a one-year suspension from April 16, 2025, to April 15, 2026, due to grave misconduct. I did not receive my midyear bonus last May 15, 2025, and I was informed that I will also not receive my 14th-month pay this December 2025. My question is, am I qualified to receive my midyear bonus and 14th-month pay next year?

Joana

Dear Joana,

In response to your query, there is a need to discuss the pertinent budget circulars issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), specifically those governing the grant of the 14th-month pay and the midyear bonus.

Pursuant to DBM Budget Circular 2016-4 dated April 28, 2016, the year-end bonus, which you refer in your letter as 14th month pay, shall be released to qualified government personnel not earlier than November 15 of the current year, subject to the following conditions: (a) the employee must be in government service as of October 31 of the current year and must have rendered at least a total or aggregate of four (4) months of service from January 1 to 31 October of the same year; or (b) in cases where the employee has retired or separated from government service on or before October 31 of the same year, such employee must have rendered at least a total or aggregate of four (4) months of service from January 1 of the current year, in which case the concerned personnel shall be entitled to a pro-rated Year-End Bonus and Cash Gift, to be released within the month of retirement or separation.

Meanwhile, DBM Budget Circular 2017-2 dated May 8, 2017, the midyear bonus, equivalent to one month of the basic salary of the employee, shall be granted to qualified government personnel who satisfy the following conditions: (1) the employee must have rendered at least a total or aggregate of four months of service from July 1 of the immediately preceding year to May 15 of the current year; (2) the employee must be in the service as of May 15 of the current year; and (3) the employee must have received at least a satisfactory performance rating in the immediately preceding performance evaluation period, or in the applicable rating period.

Applying the foregoing to your case, you shall be entitled to the year-end bonus, as well as a cash gift for Calendar Year 2026, provided that you will render government service from April 16, 2026 (the resumption of your work following your suspension) until October 31, 2026. However, you shall not be entitled to the midyear bonus for 2026 as you will not meet the minimum service requirement of four months rendered service within the period of July 1, 2025, to May 15, 2026, considering your suspension from April 16, 2025, to April 15, 2026.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice was based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to [email protected]