House Speaker Defends Congressional Budget Amendments Against Corruption Claims

MANILA – House Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III on Thursday defended congressional modifications to next year's proposed P7.2-trillion budget, rejecting implications that legislative amendments inherently reflect corrupt practices or wrongdoing.

"Not all changes made by Congress to the budget are wrong," Dy said, addressing mounting public concern over the chamber's budgetary deliberations. The remarks come as the House faces heightened scrutiny regarding its spending bill and the nature of amendments introduced during the legislative process.

Dy's statement appears aimed at distinguishing routine parliamentary adjustments from potentially problematic alterations, though he did not specify which budget modifications he considered appropriate or provide details on the nature of the changes under review.

The 7.2-trillion peso budget represents the government's spending plan for the coming fiscal year and typically undergoes extensive review and amendment during congressional consideration. The speaker's defense suggests growing pressure on the legislative body to justify modifications to the proposed allocation.