In a stunning revelation that shakes the integrity of the Philippine Congress, former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and his group have accused Speaker Martin Romualdez and other congressional leaders of falsifying legislative documents to insert P241 billion into the 2025 budget. If true, this isn’t just a simple case of clerical error—it’s a blatant abuse of power and a betrayal of public trust.

At the heart of the controversy is the discovery of blank spaces in the bicameral conference committee report, which were later filled in before the budget was sent to Malacañang for approval. This raises a crucial question: At what point in the process did these insertions occur, and who authorized them? Acting House Appropriations Chairperson Stella Quimbo defended the move, claiming that technical staff had the authority to “implement corrections and adjustments.” But Alvarez’s group isn’t buying that explanation, arguing that a P241-billion insertion is no mere “correction” but an act of falsification under Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code.

A Crime or Just Politics?
Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe was quick to brush off the allegations, calling them a politically motivated attack by allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte. According to him, Alvarez’s silence during the budget deliberations, only to emerge as a complainant now, indicates a clear political agenda. And let’s not forget—this complaint comes just days after the House voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte. Coincidence? Perhaps not.

But let’s set politics aside for a moment. Whether this case is politically motivated or not, the real issue is the alleged budget insertion itself. If there was indeed an unauthorized addition of P241 billion, that is a serious violation of public trust, regardless of who filed the complaint. The Filipino people deserve transparency, especially when it comes to the national budget—a document that dictates where public funds will go.
The Hypocrisy of Alvarez?

Alvarez may be playing the role of a crusader now, but let’s not forget his own history. When he was Speaker of the House, he was unceremoniously removed from power through the intervention of Sara Duterte. His tenure was marked by political maneuvering, and he certainly wasn’t a stranger to controversy. Does this mean his complaint should be dismissed outright? No. It simply means that we should scrutinize both the accusers and the accused with the same level of skepticism.
Who’s Telling the Truth?
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At the end of the day, this case will test whether accountability still exists in Philippine politics. If the allegations are true, Romualdez and company must be held responsible for tampering with the budget process. If they are false, then Alvarez’s group must answer for using legal channels as a tool for political revenge.

The Ombudsman now has the duty to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation. The Filipino people must demand clarity—where did the P241 billion come from, who authorized it, and why was it inserted so late in the process?

In the coming weeks, we’ll see whether this case leads to real accountability or becomes yet another footnote in the long history of Philippine political drama. One thing is certain: The public must not let this issue be swept under the rug.( Tambuli Ng Bayan-Ronnie Estrada)

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Photos:Former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the current Speaker Martin Romualdez.