Poging GOUD - Vrij
'Congressmen may get P2 M each as Christmas bonus'
The Philippine Star
|December 31, 2025
Puno: Not bonus, but addt'l funding
Each of the 318 congressmen - including party-list representatives - may receive P2 million as “Christmas bonus,” coinciding with the signing of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste said yesterday.
“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, 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 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.
Dit verhaal komt uit de December 31, 2025-editie van The Philippine Star.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star
ALBERT MARTINEZ, KYLIE PADILLA TOPBILL MAVX'S FIRST 2026 RELEASE 'THE LOTTO WINNER'
“THE LOTTO WINNER,” A FAMILY DRAMA topbilled by Albert Martinez and Kylie Padilla, will serve as the opening salvo of MAVX Productions’ 2026 slate, which also includes projects starring Alden Richards, Andrea Brillantes and Kaila Estrada.
3 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
Imee: Does Ping want hair pulling match?
Sen. Imee Marcos dismissed Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s claims linking her to budget “allocables,” saying the items attributed to her were merely proposals that were never funded.
1 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
BSP extends perks to spur green lending
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has extended a set of regulatory incentives designed to encourage banks to step up financing for green and sustainable projects, as part of efforts to support the country's transition to a climate-resilient economy.
1 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
DOH records increase in cases of super flu
The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded an increase in super flu cases in the country.
1 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
Fewer Pinoys believe flood control culprits will be jailed – Pulse
Although still a majority, a smaller percentage of Filipinos now believe that government officials responsible for irregularities in flood control projects will be punished, a Pulse Asia survey found.
2 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
ICI in limbo, seeks clarity from Palace
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) remains in limbo, as it has yet to receive any notice from Malacañang regarding its fate, special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said yesterday.
1 min
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
The sounds that made us 'Bagets'
\"'Bagets,' the movie, initially seemed to be just another youth flick to come out of Viva Films. Nothing really special save for the idea that it will build up the careers of five young actors around whom there was a lot of interest.\"
2 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
DA OKs export of 100,000 MT raw sugar to US
TO LIFT FARMGATE PRICES
2 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
Meralco rates down this month; fuel prices up today
Meralco is cutting power rates by P0.1637 per kilowatt-hour this month, bringing down its overall rate to P12.9508 per kWh from December’s P13.1145 per kWh.
2 mins
January 13, 2026
The Philippine Star
Dizon to testify at Zaldy’s Jan. 20 Sandigan trial
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon is set to appear before the Sandiganbayan on Jan. 20 to testify in the trial involving an alleged ghost flood control project in Oriental Mindoro that implicates former congressman Zaldy Co.
2 mins
January 13, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size