Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco Speaks on Alleged “Break Bonus”
TOBY TIANGCO – The Navotas Representative claimed that he allegedly received millions as “bonus” every time the Congress takes a break.
Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste claimed that he will keep quiet for now over the alleged P2-million Christmas bonus each for 318 congressmen. The son of Senator Loren Legarda previously claimed that the alleged Christmas bonus came from the P18.58-billion Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses or MOOE fund.
According to Leviste, he was told his mother that the MOOE is a very sensitive topic in the Congress. He claimed that he will keep quiet until the session of the House of Representatives resumes on January 26. His claim earned different opinions from his fellow congressmen.
Several congressmen denied the claim of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. As for Bicol SARO party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, the P2-million from the MOOE was allegedly not a bonus for the congressmen. His remarks sparked thanks from Leviste.
“Today, the first thing that I want to say is my thanks to Congressman Ridon and House deputy speaker Ronnie Puno for admitting that there was P2 million released to congressmen last week. Some have denied it. Some said they are not sure how much,” the Batangas Congressman said.
Recently, amid the claim of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste that 318 congressmen allegedly received a P2-million Christmas bonus each, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco claimed that the congressmen were allegedly really given an allowance ever since he joined the House of Representatives. He’s part of the lower chamber since 2010.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Cong. Toby Tiangco claimed that congressmen are allegedly receiving millions as “break bonus” every time the Congress goes on a break. Speaking to One News’ Storycon, the Navotas Congressman claimed that the “allowance” is allegedly for the expenses as congressmen return to their districts.
“Ever since I became a congressman (in 2010), there is already this break bonus. The explanation for that is because you will spend most of your time in your district, you will have funds for expenses,” he said.
Furthermore, based on report, Cong. Toby Tiangco said that congressmen are allegedly given the “break bonus” during Undas, Christmas, and Holy Week. According to him, the congressmen allegedly have to sign a voucher for the check but there are supposedly no specific requirements for the liquidation of the amount released to them.
Tiangco claimed that he allegedly received P1.5 million for Undas. However, according to him, he has not received an allowance this Christmas break. Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, Rep. Toby Tiangco claimed that President Bongbong Marcos allegedly confronted former House Speaker Martin Romualdez during a family lunch.