Lawmakers denied claims made by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong that members of the House of Representatives allegedly receive social amelioration funds when they join Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in out-of-town engagements.
“In my experience, I have not seen anything like that and I have not experienced anything like that,” House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said.
Libanan disputed Magalong’s assertion that the 2025 national budget was being used as an “election fund,” saying the release of government funds is not controlled by politicians like social welfare programs AKAP, AICS, and TUPAD.
“In the distribution of social services, politicians are not allowed to go there. That is strictly implemented now. Our fund is for the repair of our country and what I see here is that we just do our duties.”
Libanan said if there were any irregularities observed in the distribution of government aid to the people, anyone can go to the duly established authorities and file complaints.
1Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez also denied any knowledge of such practice.
“I’m not part of the leadership. I am a regular member of this House, but just to answer anecdotally, I don’t think I’ve had the experience that would answer that question in the affirmative,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez pointed out that the funds being questioned are all administered by national government agencies.
Libanan further clarified that no one from the opposition bloc has ever reported receiving such funds.
“In addition to that, I am the leader of the minority and they have not received any report of the minority. Any member of the minority telling me na mayroong ganung mga mga 7 AICS, 7 AKAP wala po akong narinig na ganyan,” he said.
Asked to comment on Magalong’s claim that he had received death threats since exposing his allegations against members of the House, Libanan acknowledged that such risks come with the territory.
“You know when you are a government official, that comes with it. It is not ordinary to be a public servant.”
However, he said threats should be reported to the proper authorities.