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Advocates Philippines
Leviste Challenges Congress' Billion-Peso Spending
Photo credit: Leandro Leviste
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is calling on Congress to be more transparent — especially when it comes to the massive Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) fund worth ₱18.58 billion.
His big question: Where exactly is the money going — including the reported ₱2-million “Christmas bonus” for lawmakers?
Leviste pointed out that each member of Congress already receives more than ₱20 million a year in salary and MOOE combined. Because this money comes from taxpayers, he said the public deserves clear and honest reporting on how every peso is spent.
What worries him more is the sudden budget increase. Congress’ overall budget reportedly grew by ₱10.5 billion — including an additional ₱7.8 billion for MOOE — without much public debate.
For Leviste, that shouldn’t happen behind closed doors.
He stressed that any increase in lawmakers’ benefits or office funds should be openly discussed — especially since members of Congress themselves are the ones who stand to benefit.
A photo circulating online shows checks issued for Leviste’s salary and MOOE up to October 2025 — payments he says he refused to accept because he disagrees with how the congressional budget is being handled.
His big question: Where exactly is the money going — including the reported ₱2-million “Christmas bonus” for lawmakers?
Leviste pointed out that each member of Congress already receives more than ₱20 million a year in salary and MOOE combined. Because this money comes from taxpayers, he said the public deserves clear and honest reporting on how every peso is spent.
What worries him more is the sudden budget increase. Congress’ overall budget reportedly grew by ₱10.5 billion — including an additional ₱7.8 billion for MOOE — without much public debate.
For Leviste, that shouldn’t happen behind closed doors.
He stressed that any increase in lawmakers’ benefits or office funds should be openly discussed — especially since members of Congress themselves are the ones who stand to benefit.
A photo circulating online shows checks issued for Leviste’s salary and MOOE up to October 2025 — payments he says he refused to accept because he disagrees with how the congressional budget is being handled.
Dec 31, 2025
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