VP Duterte refutes DTI's P500 Noche Buena budget claim

Vice President Sara Duterte disputed the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) assertion that P500 is enough for a complete Noche Buena meal for a Filipino family of four.

Duterte stated that the P500 budget claim by the DTI is false, noting that holiday food packages distributed by her office alone, consisting of spaghetti and salad packs, already amount to P2,100.

She emphasized that P500 has long been insufficient for a family's Noche Buena celebration.

Malacañang stood by the DTI's position, a claim that has drawn criticism for being unrealistic.

Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos commented that the DTI should not diminish the spirit of Noche Buena.

Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno challenged Palace officials to verify market prices with P500.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines filed a bill to increase the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance for government employees to P7,000.