Magalong warns of election-related ‘pork barrel’ in 2027 budget

MANILA — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned Wednesday that lawmakers may be using government assistance programs and infrastructure projects to build political capital ahead of the 2028 elections, alleging that budget insertions have persisted.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Magalong claimed that lawmakers had secured budget insertions for their respective districts in the proposed 2027 national budget, with some projects proceeding without proper consultation with local government units (LGUs).

“Ako, I’m convinced, I’m morally convinced that it has something to do with the elections, upcoming elections,” Magalong said when asked whether the proposed budget was geared toward the next election cycle.

Magalong said he had prepared a list of the biggest flood control allocations, questionable contractors and lawmakers allegedly benefiting from the projects.

“From what I heard, from my own sources, the congressmen were able to get their pork barrels and they have their insertions. And I personally have a, I would say personal knowledge,” Magalong added. 

Magalong said the allocations could give politicians an advantage by allowing them to associate themselves with public assistance, scholarships and infrastructure projects that directly benefit their constituents.

“Look at the political capitals ng mga politicians. Ayuda, isa ‘yan. ‘Yung mga projects. Lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga projects na mayroon silang cut ng mga 20 percent, 30 percent,” he said, alleging that some politicians received cuts from projects. 

The mayor’s remarks came as the government faced scrutiny over public spending following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling declaring unconstitutional major budget increases in 2024 and 2025, as well as certain provisions on unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget.

Magalong called on the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets, particularly the P449.5-billion increase in unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the P17.99-billion increase in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Special Road Fund under the 2025 GAA.

Magalong alleged that lawmakers continued to use government assistance programs as a means of gaining public recognition, even though the programs were funded by government agencies rather than politicians’ personal resources.

“Yes, they want their names to be mentioned,” he said when asked whether assistance programs and scholarships were also being used as campaign tools.

“Kaya nga nakikita mo kapag meron nang bigayan na ayudan, nandun na ‘yung mga mukha nila. Ang lalaki ng mga mukha nila. Tapos nandun na rin ‘yung mga [quote] card para ipakita nila na mahal daw nila ‘yung community when in fact, ninanakawan lang nila,” he added. 

He cited assistance programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Magalong alleged that lawmakers exercised influence over the distribution of assistance and scholarships, allowing them to claim credit for benefits administered through government agencies.

He also pointed to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program and the government’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS).

Magalong said projects under the proposed 2027 budget were not always coordinated with local governments, despite then-Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s pronouncement that projects should undergo proper consultation with LGUs.

He alleged that lawmakers continued to obtain project allocations through budget negotiations and that some projects were implemented without the knowledge of the local officials concerned.

He claimed that some legislators continued to exert influence over DPWH regional directors and district engineers, potentially allowing projects to proceed through arrangements between lawmakers and public works officials.

“Kaya bago magkaroon ng budget hearing, katakot-takot na ‘yan na engagement ang gagawin ng district engineer, regional directors ng DPWH sa congressman. Tatanungin nila ‘Ano po ba ‘yung mga concern niyo, ano po ba ‘yung mga listahan niyo,’” he said.

Magalong proposed that projects be reviewed through the local development council and subsequently submitted to the city or municipal council before implementation.

“Ang tanong ngayon, anong gagawin niya? Well, ituloy pa rin ‘yung programa na ‘yan and at the same time dadaan naman ‘yung sa City Development Council. Tapos after that, from the City Development Council, ipapasa yan ng City Council o yung Municipal Council bago payagan, bago mapayagan na implement ‘yung gustong project ng mga mambabatas,” he said.

He acknowledged, however, that coordination with local governments would not automatically eliminate irregularities, particularly when local officials have political or family ties with lawmakers.

Despite calls for him to run for national office in 2028, Magalong said he had not committed to a candidacy and was leaning toward retiring from politics after completing his third term as Baguio mayor.

He said his anti-corruption campaign had earned him political enemies and could make it difficult for him to win a national election.

“Marami akong kaaway ng mga politiko na nirebuild ko na yung mga kalokohan nila. Sa kongreso pa lang napakarami na ‘yan.”

Magalong said some people had urged him to keep his options open, but his preference was to retire while continuing his anti-corruption advocacy.

“My preference is to retire,” he said. “I’ll be the last Magalong to run in office dito sa siyudad ng Baguio. Even my family, nobody’s interested.”