WITH VIDEO | Leviste Claims House Members Received P2 million Each As Christmas Bonus

Each of the 318 congressmen – including party-list representatives – received P2 million as “Christmas bonus,” coinciding with the signing of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste said on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

“On top of the salary of each congressman, we have a monthly operating budget in our offices. That is more or less P1 million, and today (Dec. 30), we have extra being given to us. First, it is Christmas. Second, the bonuses are released in time for the voting for the budget,” Leviste told reporters. He admitted he learned of the bonus only from other congressmen.

He said congressmen earn P300,000 a month as salary.

House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st District Ronaldo Puno said it was not a Christmas bonus but “additional funding for your Christmas requirements in your district,” adding that the funds are recorded and subject to government audit.

“Magki-Christmas party ka sa mga barangay captain mo, mag-health activity ka, you will do mga consultations.”

Leviste said one of the usual problems ahead of voting on the national budget is getting a quorum.

“From what I know, Congress has difficulties in getting a quorum and they will make sure to get a quorum and maybe, it helped when the bonuses are released during the voting in the budget,” he said.

“It turned out that the take home pay of each congressman, the MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) and the salary times 318 (congressmen) would be over P1 billion. I am mentioning this because I want to ask why we are increasing it to P10.5 billion, of which the bulk or P7.8 billion goes to the MOOE and it means that the fund included in the increase is the payment for our own bonuses, including the P2 million for each congressman today (Dec. 30),” Leviste said.