“Incentives instead of debate”: Rep claims ₱10-B payout tied to 2026 budget

Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste has claimed that members of the House of Representatives are set to receive massive incentives once the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 national budget is ratified on Monday, December 29.

Leviste alleged that as much as ₱10 billion has been earmarked for incentives or bonuses for lawmakers, reportedly sourced from the House’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

“On the day of the budget approval, I’m told since I don’t accept it, they don’t inform me there is a distribution of incentives,” Leviste said in a radio interview on Saturday.

According to the lawmaker, the funds are allegedly meant to ensure quorum for the budget vote, which falls just two days before New Year’s Eve, when many legislators are already on holiday.

Leviste further claimed that MOOE funds do not require liquidation, needing only certification similar to how confidential funds are handled.

“There is a fund with no liquidation, which Congress even increased for itself to ₱10.5 billion. The incentive payout happens on the very day the budget is approved,” he said.

“I find it deeply regrettable that instead of debating critical budget issues, the practice appears to be handing out incentives so dissenting voices like mine will stay silent,” Leviste added.

He said he does not yet know how much each lawmaker stands to receive, as the alleged payout would only occur on Monday. However, Leviste disclosed that he has already refused a separate incentive, reportedly worth ₱150 million in project allocations.

As of posting time, House leadership has yet to respond to Rep. Leviste’s allegations.