Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste expressed gratitude to senior House officials for publicly confirming the release of ₱2 million in additional congressional funds, saying the clarification helped address earlier denials and misinformation.
Leviste thanked Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno for confirming the ₱2 million allocation and explaining that the amount was not a Christmas bonus but additional funding intended for district-related Christmas activities, including meetings with barangay officials, health programs and consultations.
He also cited statements from Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, who confirmed that the ₱2 million was released from maintenance and other operating expenses, or MOOE, on the final day of the congressional session. Ridon said the funds were intended for office and district needs, and that the only bonuses given to lawmakers were the 13th and 14th month pay, which he noted had existed in previous Congresses.
Leviste said the confirmations were important, especially after some officials initially denied that any ₱2 million had been released. He stressed that the amount was separate from the ₱1 million monthly office budget and was described by House leaders as funding for Christmas-related requirements of constituents.
He also acknowledged remarks by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who said similar allocations were released during Undas and Easter, and who urged lawmakers to be transparent about congressional spending.
Leviste noted that a lawmaker’s monthly salary rose from ₱334,059 in 2025 to ₱342,310 in 2026. When combined with office budgets, bonuses and other MOOE allocations, he said the total amount per congressman could reach millions of pesos annually.
He clarified that he was not accusing anyone of illegal activity and said he does not personally take the MOOE or his salary. However, he questioned why Congress does not fully disclose MOOE spending, lacks public liquidation records, and approved a 2026 budget increase to ₱18.58 billion without detailed explanation.
