Palace defends P4-B infra budget allocation for Sandro’s district

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Palace defended Tuesday the P4-billion infrastructure allocation for House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos’ congressional district in the proposed 2027 budget.  

Several critics, including economist Cielo Magno, questioned if the amount reflects the infrastructure needs of Ilocos Norte’s 1st District.

Magno even challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the P4-billion allocation.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that House members have to look after development in their districts.

“Lahat po ito, ha, hindi po partikular kay Congressman Sandro Marcos, nilalahat po natin,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

(This applies to all, not just Congressman Sandro Marcos.)

“Kung ang mga proyekto naman ng isang congressman ay maayos at ang pondong ilalaan dito ay magagamit nang tama sino ba naman ang dapat na humadlang kung ang pondong ito ay sasapat naman para mapaganda ang isang distrito,” she said.

(If it is a good project and the funds for it will be used correctly, who would need to block it if the funds are enough to improve the district.)

She said there should be no problem as long as project funding allocated to a House member’s district are used correctly and are not “ghost” or substandard projects.

“Ang insertion hindi po ito generally masama, nagiging masama lang ang insertion kung ang pera ay i-insert sa bulsa ng politiko, iyon ang masama,” Castro added.

(Insertions are not generally bad. They become bad if the money is inserted into a politician’s pockets.)

She said the public should be vigilant of how the budget is actually used for the benefit of constituents.

A budget watchdog, meanwhile, raised concerns over P1 trillion in allegedly questionable allocations in the House budget. 

These include nearly 7,000 infrastructure projects, many of which lacked supporting documents and clear justifications, the People’s Budget Coalition said on Monday. 

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Tuesday the Senate Finance Committee would scrutinize the items flagged by budget watchdogs. 

“Pag-aaralan namin mabuti kung yun ay valid at may pangangailangan ba. Dahil kasama rin naman sa kanilang responsibilidad ang mag-amyenda, magbago, pero lahat ito dapat may basis,” Gatchalian told reporters.

(We will study it closely to see if if it is valid and ncessary. Because amendments are also part of their responsibilty but there should be basis.)

He said the Senate will also coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways “to make sure [the ] changes [are supported by a] feasibility study, work program, [and studies].” 

Senate Finance Committee Chair JV Ejercito said “[w]e need to verify [because] not all projects are bad, we need also to accelerate public spending to spur economic growth.”

Ejercito said there was some P266 billion they wanted to review in the House-approved budget, due to lack of necessary supporting documents.