In the Philippines, the government creates a yearly spending plan called the national budget. This plan decides how money is used for things like roads and schools. For the year 2025, the budget is very large, about 6.3 trillion pesos. Lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate look at this plan and can suggest changes to add money for certain needs in different areas.
Recently, a disagreement started when broadcaster Anthony Taberna shared what he called proof of changes in the budget linked to Senator Risa Hontiveros. On October 4, 2025, Taberna posted a list showing over 3 billion pesos added for projects like walls to stop floods in places such as Isabela, Tarlac, and Cebu. He said these were secret additions made at the last step, and he was surprised because Hontiveros often speaks against wasteful spending. He shared photos of signs at project sites naming her as the one who pushed for them.
Hontiveros quickly said this was not true. She explained that she did not make any secret additions in the final meeting between the House and Senate. She did not agree to the final plan and voted against it, along with one other senator. She called the claims false information and warned people not to believe them. She said her suggestions were open and part of the normal review process, not hidden.
Taberna stood by his words and shared more details, saying other senators also have such changes. But Hontiveros repeated that she has nothing in the extra or hidden parts of the budget.
Two former senators, Franklin Drilon and Tito Sotto, spoke up to clear things. Drilon said that adding changes is a normal part of making the budget, and there is no big difference between calling it a change or an addition. It is just how lawmakers help fix the plan. Sotto agreed, saying almost all senators do this to help their areas, and it is fine if done in the open.
The issue grew when actress Pinky Amador made a video visiting Taberna’s restaurant, joking about buying “fake news.” This was her way of saying she thinks the claims are not real. Taberna replied that his information is correct and not made up.
Others defended Hontiveros, like former senator Leila de Lima, who said Hontiveros is honest and not involved in wrong acts. Fact-checks show that Hontiveros did vote no, and her name on projects is from open suggestions, not secret ones.
This matter shows how people can see the same facts differently. Many Filipinos worry about how money is spent because of past problems with misuse. Right now, there is no proof of wrongdoing by Hontiveros, but the talk continues. People are watching to see if more details come out.
