Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose Alvarez denied claims that the House of Representatives misused public funds after Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste alleged lawmakers received ₱2 million “Christmas bonus” checks.
Alvarez, a member of the bicameral conference committee on the national budget, clarified that the checks “reflect standard, lawful disbursements provided to all legislators — not Christmas bonuses.”
“There is nothing irregular about the checks issued to Rep. Leviste. They aren’t Christmas bonuses as he alleges,” Alvarez said.
He explained that the funds are lawful, audited, and well-documented disbursements meant to cover salaries and ensure district offices can function and deliver services.
According to Alvarez, all members of Congress receive compensation and operating expenses for staff salaries, utilities, and constituent services. He stressed that portraying these routine allocations as bonuses is “misleading and inaccurate.”