MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has lashed out at what she called a “malicious and baseless” attempt to link her to a supposed P3-billion insertion in the 2025 national budget, denouncing online claims that she had secured pork-like allocations in flood control projects.
The allegations stemmed from a YouTube vlog by broadcaster Anthony Taberna, who cited figures suggesting that Hontiveros allegedly inserted around P3 billion — including P750 million for flood control — into the spending bill.
Hontiveros promptly refuted the claim, taking to social media to issue a categorical denial.
“Wala akong Bicam insertions. Wala sa unprogrammed funds. PERIOD. HINDI AKO PUMIRMA sa Bicam, at bumoto ng NO sa kontrobersyal na 2025 budget,” the senator wrote on X.
She said all her proposed amendments during the Senate deliberations underwent proper procedure and were approved through transparent means.
“WAG MANIWALA SA FAKE NEWS AT MALING INFO. Lahat ng iminungkahi kong amyenda sa budget ay dumaan sa tamang proseso at inaprubahan ng [Senate]!” she added.
Hontiveros was among the senators who rejected the bicameral conference committee (bicam) report, which has drawn criticism over alleged opaque negotiations and questionable last-minute insertions.
The bicam, composed of members from both the Senate and House of Representatives, reconciles differing versions of the national budget — a process increasingly under fire amid recurring accusations of “pork barrel” allocations disguised as infrastructure funding.
The 2025 budget has been the subject of intense public scrutiny, particularly following reports linking several lawmakers to irregularities in flood control projects.
Hontiveros’ strong denial underscores growing tensions within the legislature as transparency and accountability in budget processes come under renewed spotlight./PN
