Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros issued a statement in response to the controversy surrounding the alleged insertions or amendments in the national budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The issue stemmed from discussions by broadcasters Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja on their DZRH program Dos Por Dos, where they cited remarks from some senators claiming that nearly all members of the 19th Congress had insertions or amendments in the 2025 budget.
Hontiveros, however, refuted this in a Facebook post on Friday, October 3, firmly denying any involvement in such budget insertions.
“Wala po akong bicam insertions. Wala sa unprogrammed funds. PERIOD. Isa pa, HINDI AKO PUMIRMA sa bicam at bumoto rin ng NO sa kontrobersyal na 2025 budget,” Hontiveros stated.
On Saturday, October 4, Taberna went live on Facebook to respond to Hontiveros’ post, explaining that his earlier remarks had drawn backlash — not only against him but also against his wife and their daughter, a cancer survivor, from the senator’s supporters.
The post promoting his livestream read: “insertion ni Senator Risa Hontiveros. Meron Resibo!”
During the broadcast, Taberna clarified that there was nothing inherently wrong with insertions — also known as amendments — since legislators are not prohibited from proposing them.
He explained that an insertion only becomes “illegal” when a senator or congressman interferes in its implementation, such as influencing contractor selection or receiving kickbacks or commissions from the project.