MANILA — Senior lawmakers pushed back against claims of a year-end cash “bonus” for members of Congress, saying the P2 million cited by Batangas 1st District’s Cong. Leandro Leviste was a routine release of maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) meant for official activities and subject to audit.
Bicol Saro party-list’s Cong. Terry Ridon said describing the funds as a Christmas bonus was “inaccurate and misleading,” stressing that the allocation goes to congressional offices — not to lawmakers’ pockets.
“Hinahanap ko ‘yung bonus. Unang-una sa lahat, meron talagang pattern ng kasinungalingan, falsities, inaccuracies si Congressman Leviste at isa na naman po ito sa halimbawa nun,” Ridon said in a radio interview.
He explained that the P2 million referenced by Leviste was earmarked to support office programs and activities, underscoring that it is not for personal use.
“Hindi totoo na may P2 million Christmas bonus. May mga ibinigay na kaperahan para sa mga opisina ng kongresista para sa mga aktibidad at mga programa at gawain na ginagawa ng mga kongresista,” Ridon said.
“Ibig sabihin hindi iyan para perahin o para sa kapritso…Kasama sa listahan sa extraordinary miscellanous expenses na binibigay sa opisina. Hindi napupunta sa wallet o pitaka ng kongresista,” he added.
Ridon also said the release of MOOE funds near the end of session has been standard practice across administrations, dating back to his first term in 2013.
“Regular po ‘yan sa administrations, speakerships and regimes. Typically binibigay at the end of sessions,” he said.
He rejected allegations that the release was tied to securing votes for the national budget, saying lawmakers receive such allocations regardless of how they vote.
Leviste earlier claimed that some members of Congress received P2 million in cash in the final week of December, shortly after the bicameral panel ratified the budget.
House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno echoed the denial, saying the funds were intended for district-level activities during the holiday season and are properly recorded and audited by the Commission on Audit.
“It’s not a Christmas bonus. It is an additional funding for your Christmas requirements in your district. So, again, naka-record lahat yan. May COA naman dyan… Magki-Christmas party ka sa mga barangay captain mo, mag-health activity ka, you will do mga consultations,” Puno said.
Puno likewise denied claims that financial incentives were offered in exchange for budget support, including allegations involving the Office of the House Committee on Appropriations./PN
