Gadon earns millions as anti-poverty czar, urges poor to ‘help themselves’

National

WHILE millions of Filipinos struggle to make ends meet, disbarred lawyer Larry Gadon earned nearly P4.7 million last year as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s adviser on poverty alleviation—a position many critics say he was unqualified for.

In his first full year in the role, Gadon’s total compensation amounted to P4,668,106, according to the Commission on Audit's 2024 Report on Salaries and Allowances.

In the report, Gadon is among the highest-paid of seven presidential advisers, with an average daily income of about P12,700, or roughly P389,000 monthly.

Gadon, however, brushed off the size of his salary, noting that it was modest compared to his earnings in the private sector.

“If you compare it to what I earned in the private sector, [this amount] is small. I used to earn P1.5 to P2.5 million per month. But you can see the results. Our economic recovery is doing well, and the poverty incidence has gone down,” he told Philstar.com.

Gadon’s role involves assessing and advising on government poverty alleviation efforts, submitting policy recommendations directly to President Marcos. He explained that all his work is done under the president’s name, and he does not seek recognition for specific programs.

Gadon also meets with the president only “once or twice a month,” primarily submitting written reports, as the president prefers to avoid disruptions.

Despite the hefty salary, Gadon’s appointment has raised questions. Critics have pointed to his lack of a background in social welfare, questioning his qualifications for such an important post.

Many have speculated that his appointment was more about political loyalty than actual expertise in tackling poverty.

While Gadon acknowledged these concerns, he remained firm that his work is valuable.

“I give advice or suggestions to the president on policies and what programs to implement. But I cannot give the details of these advices or suggestions because it would be unethical,” Gadon explained.

Asked about the persistence of poverty despite government efforts, Gadon argued that some people’s refusal to help themselves complicates the situation. He highlighted that individuals with no skills, education, or work ethic cannot always be helped by government initiatives alone.

“For example, a person who just loiters on the street, doesn’t want to work, doesn’t want to exert effort, and has no skills or educational attainment—what are we supposed to do with that?” he said in the same report.

His comments come amid troubling statistics. A recent Social Weather Stations survey revealed that 63% of Filipino families consider themselves poor, the highest rate recorded in two decades. Gadon’s response was that poverty alleviation cannot rely solely on government action; people must also take responsibility for their own futures.

Beyond his advisory duties, Gadon has proposed initiatives like installing solar energy systems in state colleges and large hospitals to reduce energy costs. However, these projects have yet to be fully implemented or approved.

Gadon, along with other Cabinet members, submitted his courtesy resignation last week, though it remains uncertain whether he will stay in his role.(MyTVCebu)