Lawmakers get monthly perks – Roque

MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque has said that each congressman receives P7 million in monthly perks and at least P220 million “allocable budget,” as he confirmed that the P2-million Christmas “bonus” was a practice even when he was a party-list representative from 2016 to 2017.

Roque, wanted for human trafficking in the Philippines, detailed in a video posted on his Facebook page what he said were the benefits of a congressman.

“That (P2 million) comes from the Speaker. And not only that, every recess of Congress – and the Congress goes on recess four times – there is also a P2-million bonus,” he said.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the same thing, calling it “break bonus” or allowance.

Roque served as Kabayan party-list representative during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte prior to his appointment as presidential spokesman.

Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste said that each of the 318 congressmen – including party-list representatives – received P2 million as “Christmas bonus” last year.

“The reason is, when they go home to the district, they give a lot, so they are given a P2-million bonus. So it is really a Christmas gift, a Christmas bonus. But don’t deny that it is a Christmas bonus because it is a real Christmas bonus that only you, congressmen and senators, benefit from. It is clear. I experienced that as a congressman,” Roque said.

He added that the Christmas bonus is over and above the checks given to congressmen as part of the regular budget of the House of Representatives.

“So, how much does a congressman really get? First of all, the salaries of the staff in the Congress were not sourced from the budget of every congressman. The salary of the staff and consultants comes from the budget of the House of Representatives, not the individual congressmen,” he said.

Roque noted that congressmen have six plantilla staff and 10 consultants.

“There are six plantilla, the chief of staff, legislative staff officer, 4, 3, 2, 1 and 8. So there are six. But aside from that, there are 10 consultants. During my time, each of the 10 gets P20,000 per week,” he said.

House public accounts panel chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon maintained that the funds received by lawmakers during session breaks are not additional salaries or personal bonuses.

“It is not a vacation kitty after every session,” he told “Storycon” on One News yesterday.

“How is it used? For the various activities carried out by the different members of Congress and their offices, whether in the districts or for their constituencies for party-list organizations,” he said. — Janvic Mateo