House Majority Leader Manuel Jose 鈥淢annix鈥� Dalipe 鈥擯hoto from House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� House Majority Leader Manuel Jose 鈥淢annix鈥� Dalipe has questioned the timing of graft and criminal complaints filed against him and others, claiming that these could be retaliatory tactics aimed at deflecting attention from the real issue on the 鈥減roper and lawful use of taxpayer money.鈥�
Dalipe鈥檚 statement came after allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte鈥攆ormer House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Virgilio Garcia, along with PDP-Laban senatorial candidate Atty. Jimmy Bondoc led the filing of 12 counts of falsification of legislative documents and 12 counts of graft against him and the following lawmakers:
- House Speaker Martin Romualdez
- former House appropriations committee chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co
- acting appropriations committee chair Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo
The complaints from the alleged P241 billion worth of 鈥渋nsertions鈥� in the 2025 national budget.
READ: Graft, other raps filed vs House leaders over 2025 budget 鈥榠nsertions鈥�
鈥淢ore telling is the involvement of former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as one of the complainants. As a sitting member of the House during the deliberations of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, he had every opportunity to raise objections, question allocations, and point out any supposed infirmities during plenary discussions,鈥� Dalipe said in a statement issued on Monday.
鈥淵et, he did not. His silence during the legislative process, and his sudden emergence as a complainant, only reinforces the fact that these accusations are not grounded on actual violations but are politically motivated attacks meant to discredit the House leadership,鈥� he added.
Moreover, Dalipe reiterated that the approval of the 鈥渁pproval of 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is not an act of wrongdoing but a constitutional duty of Congress.鈥�
鈥淭he national budget is the lifeblood of government operations, ensuring the delivery of essential services and the implementation of vital projects for the Filipino people. It is important to emphasize that the passage of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is not solely the action of the House of Representatives,鈥� he said in a statement.
鈥淚t undergoes thorough deliberations and scrutiny by Congress before it is transmitted to the President for final approval. This process adheres to the checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution, ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility,鈥� he added.
Dalipe further stressed that passing the national budget 鈥渋s not a crime鈥� and that 鈥渁ny attempt to portray it otherwise is a clear distortion of facts and an attack on the legislative process itself.鈥�
鈥淚nstead of engaging in political distractions, we must focus on ensuring that the 2025 budget is fair, responsive, and effectively serves the needs of the Filipino people,鈥� he said.
The issue started after Duterte and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, who was a former appropriations panel head, raised concerns about blank items in the 2025 budget.