Politics · Philippines Bureau
Supreme Court backs audit office ruling against CAAP flying pay
The Philippines' highest court has upheld the Commission on Audit's decision to reject over P300,000 in flying risk allowances paid to nine Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines executives and staff. The justices determined the payments were improper because the recipients held managerial and administrative roles unrelated to actual flight operations.
LSN Philippines ·
The Supreme Court has affirmed the Commission on Audit's disallowance of flying risk pay issued to nine CAAP personnel, ruling that the allowances were inappropriately granted to officials whose duties did not involve aircraft operations.
The disputed payments, totaling more than P300,000, were distributed to executives and staff members whose positions were primarily managerial or administrative in nature. The high tribunal found that flying risk allowances should only apply to personnel directly involved in aviation operations, not those in support roles.
The COA's original disapproval of the payments had been challenged, but the Supreme Court's decision upheld the audit commission's position that the allowances violated regulations governing hazard and risk compensation for government employees.
The ruling reinforces stricter oversight of allowances and special pay within government agencies, particularly at the CAAP, and emphasizes that such benefits must directly correspond to job functions that expose workers to genuine operational risks.