Malacañang on Tuesday does not see anything wrong with the allocation of billions of pesos worth of funds to some congressional districts especially if it will go to projects that are good, needed, and truly beneficial.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remark amid questions on the more than P4 billion proposed infrastructure allocation for the congressional district of Majority Leader, and presidential son, Representative Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos in 2027.
“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,” Castro said.
She added that the problem is when the allocated funds are pocketed, not used for their intended purpose, or when the projects funded are nonexistent or ghost projects or use substandard materials.
Castro said this applies to all and not just to Marcos.
“So, siguro tingnan na lamang po kung magiging maganda ang proyekto kahit sino po na congressman. At kung ito ay ilalaan sa kanilang mga distrito, so walang magiging masama,” Castro also said.
“Basta dapat lagi lang nilang isaisip at isapuso ano ang nais ng Pangulo – ang pondo ay para sa mga Pilipino, hindi sa bulsa ng sinumang politico,” Castro added.
Some critics questioned if the allocations to Marcos’ district reflect the infrastructure needs of the province, while others said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should veto the P4-billion allocation to his son’s congressional district.