Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has challenged Congress to redirect ₱14 billion from its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) to fund direct food assistance for Filipinos hit by natural disasters.
The freshman lawmaker filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1118 on Monday, June 15, pushing for a more strategic use of legislative funds amid recent calamities.
Leviste highlighted that under the 2026 national budget, Congress is allocated a total MOOE of ₱23.89 billion—marking a sharp 228% surge from the ₱7.27 billion budget recorded in 2017.
According to Leviste, shifting ₱14 billion could buy 28 million food packs or sacks of rice, which is enough to reach every family nationwide. This move would still leave Congress with a substantial ₱9.89 billion to cover its operational expenses.
The lawmaker raised red flags over how these funds are accounted for, noting that a vast portion of the MOOE is “liquidated by certification.”
He presented records showing that House members generally receive a base MOOE of roughly ₱1 million per month for office costs without needing to submit receipts for reimbursement. For the 318 members of the House, this equates to ₱3.82 billion each year.
Citing talks with the House Committee on Accounts, Leviste stated that at least ₱10 billion of the House’s ₱18.58 billion MOOE is set aside for “unidentified uses,” adding that a similar amount could likely be shaved off from the Senate’s budget.
The billionaire businessman-turned-politician also pointed out the lack of fairness in fund distribution, arguing that because some lawmakers manage their legislative duties without extra financial backing, large gaps in allocations are uncalled for.
”If some members can perform their duties without additional MOOE, then there is no necessity for other members to get considerably more MOOE,” he reasoned.
Leviste is calling for three core changes: a full public breakdown of all MOOE spending, an equitable distribution of operational funds based on the population size of a representative’s district, and a bigger budget carved out strictly for social relief.
He insisted these measures are vital to justify upcoming allocations for 2026 and 2027.
Practicing what he preaches, Leviste has regularly refused his own government salary and MOOE allotments. Instead, he has channeled ₱12 million of his designated MOOE and ₱3 million of his salary directly to victims of recent typhoons and earthquakes.