Congressmen gift selves with P200,000 each

This Christmas season will be merrier for the 240 members of the House of Representatives than for the rest of us ordinary mortals.

Members of the chamber went home last night with P200,000 checks in their pockets. They begin their five-week Christmas break today, and resume session on Jan. 21.

There were conflicting claims on what the money is for. Some congressmen said it was their Christmas bonus, while others said it was their budget for their staff and other expenses during the break.

Normally, each House member gets about P250,000 a month for district office staff salaries, travel and other expenses. The amount also includes their basic salary of about P35,000.

Reached for comment about the funds being prepared for distribution yesterday afternoon, Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said he was not aware of it.

“But I sincerely hope there are indeed funds to be distributed. You know, these are not normal times. It’s the Christmas season. Many of our constituents expect us to give them gifts,” he said, adding that they expect to be heavily criticized for it. “Puputaktihin kami bukas once they read this in the papers.”

He said the bulk of funds released before a recess usually goes to staff salaries and expenses of a congressman in his district.

House officials later clarified that the funds were released “in full transparency and reported to the Commission on Audit.”

Misamis Occidental Rep. Herminia Ramiro, who heads the accounts committee, said the money is intended “for the 15 to 20 employees, more or less, based in the congressional offices in Manila and the congressional districts, to approximate the P10,000 given as Christmas bonus to all national government personnel.”

It would also cover payment of “yearend rentals, transportation and other costs,” she said.

“The funds are part of the official budget of the House,” she added.

Last Oct. 11, when congressmen went on their first break, they also received their normal allocation for salaries and expenses in advance.

That morning, more than 150 congressmen received cash gifts of P500,000 each in Malacañang after a breakfast meeting with President Arroyo.

Governors who met with Mrs. Arroyo separately on the same day also got P500,000 in cash gifts.

Palace officials had claimed that the money given to House members and governors did not come from Malacañang or the President.

One month later, Mindoro Occidental Rep. Amelita Villarosa, secretary of Mrs. Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino party, said the funds distributed to congressmen came from Kampi.

Villarosa headed a 34-member delegation of administration allies in the House who accompanied the President on her recent 10-day trip to France, Spain and Britain.

At least five members of the delegation traveled with their spouses, while one brought along her mayor-son.