Benjamin Alves slams unrealistic P500 noche buena budget
Around GMA
Around GMA
Basketball Tournament - December 5, 2025 | NCAA Season 101 #WilmaPH maintains strength east of Borongan City, E. Samar Cloud Dancer is Pantone's 2025 Color of the YearArticle Inside Page
Showbiz News
Kapuso actor Benjamin Alves shared forceful criticisms against DTI after the agency suggested that a Filipino family could prepare a sufficient 'Noche Buena' with just PhP500.
Benjamin aired his frustration in a series of Facebook posts, following the remark of the Department of Trade and Industry secretary Cristina Roque that PhP500 was enough to prepare a basic Christmas meal for a Filipino family of four.
He made a sarcastic reference to technology, stating, “Kahit siguro ChatGPT di kakayanin i-render yung PhP500 Noche Buena na yan, madame.”
He argued that the DTI's claim, though intended as price guidance, only fueled public outrage due to its deep disconnect from the current economic reality and the concurrent corruption issues happening in the country.
"Bakit niyo pinagtitipid ng 500 pesos yung mga Pinoy for their noche buena eh garapal nga mangurakot mga officials on a random Tuesday," he wrote.
Benjamin also highlighted the severe reality and hardships faced by laborers, only for the government to suggest their income is sufficient for Noche Buena.
“Magttrabaho ka at makikipagsapalaran sa commute, mag bubudget ka buwan-buwan, linggo linggo, maiiyak ka na kaiisip paano mo ba pagkakasyahin pera mo,” wrote Benjamin.
He called the proposition an insult, concluding his powerful statement with: "Stop disrespecting the working class!"
Instead of offering "unrealistic" budget tips, Benjamin challenged the government officials to focus on long-term solutions to lower the cost of basic necessities.
“Subsidize the farmers, better transportation, MAYBE NO TAXES FOR 300 hundred f*cking years” he wrote.
He also jokingly said: “I'm fully aware that I'm having crashout because of this.”
Benjamin also challenged the government to halt tax collection to force officials to be completely honest and transparent in the utilization of public funds.
He also shared a photo of his search on an AI Assistant, asking if the suggested ₱500 would actually suffice for a Filipino family celebrating Christmas. “ChatGPT for the win,” Benjamin jokingly said.
Benjamin Alves joins other celebrities like Pokwang and Edu Manzano who have similarly expressed dismay and disbelief over the DTI's controversial PhP500 Noche Buena budget claim.
Related Gallery: Filipino Celebrities, Personalities Join Trillion Peso March
