Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco has called out Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante Jr. for allegedly spreading misinformation in defense of the controversial small committee that handled amendments to the 2025 national budget.

In a strongly worded statement issued on August 31, Tiangco accused Abante of resorting to “fake news” to shield the committee led by Appropriations Chair Rep. Zaldy Co, which has come under fire for its role in what critics have dubbed “the most corrupt budget” in Philippine history.

“It’s disheartening that Cong. Abante feels the need to spread falsehoods just to defend the small committee,” Tiangco said, adding that the group’s failure to release a formal report raises serious transparency concerns. While the bicameral conference committee has submitted its signed report, the small committee—composed of only four House members—has yet to do so.

Tiangco corrected Abante’s claim that his criticisms of the budget process were recent, pointing out that he had raised similar concerns in 2012, 2014, and 2015. “I stopped questioning after that because, like now, I was independent and always outvoted,” he explained.

The Navotas lawmaker emphasized that budget insertions originate in the small committee before reaching the bicam, making its report crucial to understanding how public funds were allocated. “Either the report doesn’t exist, or it’s being deliberately withheld. Only Cong. Zaldy Co can answer that,” Tiangco said.

He also criticized Abante for labeling his request for the report as “unfair.” “Asking where the people’s money went is never unfair. What’s unfair is refusing to answer or admit that no report exists,” Tiangco asserted.

Tiangco urged House leadership to summon Rep. Co and demand accountability, citing House rules that require all committees to produce reports. He also referenced past corruption exposés, including claims by Senator Ping Lacson and Mayor Benjamin Magalong that project proponents and committee members allegedly received cuts ranging from 20% to 25%.

“If we truly want transparency and to investigate corruption, we must start with the small committee,” Tiangco concluded.