‘Thinking Pinoy’ blogger asks DFA to end consultancy contract

MANILA, Philippines — Thinking Pinoy blogger Rey Joseph Nieto on Monday said he requested for the termination of his Department of Foreign Affairs consultancy contract.

Nieto made the disclosure on his Facebook page.

“I have already contacted the Department Foreign Affairs to request for the termination of my consultancy contract,” Nieto wrote on his post.

At the Senate hearing into fake news last week, Nieto said he is offering consultancy services to the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs. He said he only earns P12,000 monthly for the part-time job, which, according to him, is not enough to pay for his taxi rides.

He also claimed that the DFA needs him more than he needs the Foreign Affairs department.

READ: At Senate, blogger airs complaints about employer DFA

Despite his complaints, Nieto said he is mulling on donating P36,000 salary he has yet to receive for his three months of service.

“While I have yet to receive any remuneration for the services I have rendered since July 2017, I have decided to donate prospective earnings to a suitable charity organization if and when I get compensated,” Nieto said.

Nieto then asked the netizens to suggest charitable donations where he can donate his salary.

Last Thursday, a screenshot of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority Notice of Award document circulated on social media and indicated that Nieto would be awarded P30,000 for his consultancy services for a period of six months.

Nieto, however, clarified that he was offered a consultancy service by the BCDA but he rejected it.

The BCDA backed Nieto’s claims and said it indeed offered  a post to the blogger to use his social media expertise in spreading awareness of its projects such as the government's “Build Build Build” program, which has P8.3-trillion target budget until 2020. But he turned it down.

RELATED: BCDA: 'Thinking Pinoy' blogger rejected consultancy contract