MANILA — Makabayan bloc lawmakers did not receive P2-million “Christmas bonus” checks or funding for Christmas activities, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said Friday, refuting claims by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste.

“We did not receive any P2-million Christmas bonus. Most definitely, our votes were not influenced by any incentives or pressure,” Tinio told reporters.

“The Makabayan stance is clear. We opposed the budget, and our explanations for rejecting it were very thorough,” he added.

Tinio voted against ratifying the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, saying the budget does not adequately address the needs of the Filipino people.

According to Tinio, the proposed spending measure fails to provide funding for agrarian reform, national industrialization, education, health, housing, and other social services, while allocating funds to various pork programs, including presidential, vice-presidential, generals’, and local government pork.

He also said the bicameral conference expanded Local Government Support Funds, financial assistance to local government units, and disaster rehabilitation programs, while cutting allocations for salaries, benefits, and pensions for government employees and teachers.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman “Zia” Alonto Adiong also denied that House members received P2-million Christmas bonus checks, describing Leviste’s claim as “not only unfair” but also “disingenuous.”

Leviste had earlier claimed that congressmen receive P2 million in Christmas bonuses and said that P20 million per year in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses is included in their salaries, which he said he has been turning down since the start of his term.