Mulino Accuses Solís of Approving ‘Last Minute’ Increases

“You should know how precarious our finances are and avoid these decisions that will not be possible in the new budget,” said Mulino, who will take office on Monday. Solís responded by saying: “The president is not the chief comptroller.”  “It is not my custom to foist epithets on anyone, I respect freedom of expression and the power of those who want to do so. That’s not my style,” and added that so far he has not had any personal communication with Mulino. “On my part, towards the Executive it will be with respect, as I have handled it with the outgoing government,” he concluded.  “What is Mulino’s tone with these messages on social networks?” asked Solís, who added that “President Laurentino Cortizo never sent me a message to do or not do something. “He respected the independence of the Comptroller’s Office.”

Although he didn’t provide further details, Mulino in his message could be referring to the Resolution of April 23, 2024, printed in the Official Gazette last Tuesday, June 25, which approves the “regulation of the merit increase policy in the Comptroller’s Office.” The last one was updated in 2013.  In this resolution, it is agreed to manage the achievement of the corresponding budgetary resources to make the application of the new salary scale effective as of January 1, 2025.  The resolution was signed by Solís, whose term as comptroller ends on December 31, 2024, as does Zenia Vásquez de Palacios, general secretary of the entity. 

Solís believes that these increases are “incentives for staff productivity,” since the minimum salary in the Comptroller’s Office is $800 per month and he feels that it should be $1,000, although this amount is not established in the adjustments. These adjustments would apply to 4,003 permanent status officials. He assures that the review had been managed since the pandemic, but was suspended. The topic was taken up again last year. When asked about the salary adjustment, Solís responded: “There is no certain figure.” He indicated that adjustments would be made when the situation in the country allows it.  “That is not a goal, this is part of what we do with programming and does not depend on the emotional swings of the Comptroller,” and added that everything will depend on the approvals of the general budget when it is discussed in the National Assembly.