Magalong: Some lawmakers promote self-interest in gov't projects

Instead of promoting the public good first, some lawmakers would make “parochial concerns” to government agencies during deliberations on the national budget, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Sunday.

“Nakakalungkot na parang 'yung ‘power of the purse’ ay naabuso na. Feeling nila, any time, kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin ay karapatan nila,” Magalong said during an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

LIVE sa DZBB: Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, convenor, Mayors for Good Governance

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“Ang power of the purse ay dapat intensyon nila ay protektahan ang interes ng publiko. To make sure that every peso is spent for the common good. Pero hindi ganu'n eh. ‘For myself’ ang naisip nila,” he added.

(It’s disappointing that the “power of the purse” seems to be abused. They feel like it’s their right to do what they want any time. The power of the purse is intended to protect the interest of the public, to make sure that every peso is spent for the common good. But that’s not the case. They think of themselves first.)

As an example, Magalong referred to his experience as an official with the Philippine National Police (PNP) when the agency would ask congressmen about their concerns concerning the agency during budget hearings.

“Kapag nag-uumpisa na ang [budget] hearing sa House of Representatives, ako galing ako sa PNP, bigla kaming makatatanggap ng message sa taas, sasabihin, puntahan na ang mga congressman, at tanungin ang kagustuhan at complaint nila,” said Magalong, a retired police general.

(When the budget hearing at the House of Representatives starts, I came from the PNP, we would receive a message from higher-ups ordering us to go to the congressmen and ask them about their requests and complaints.)

Asked if the lawmakers would discuss peace and order issues or police requirements, Magalong said: "Hindi ganu'n eh. Puro parochial concerns eh. Pero 'yung maaayos na congressman, maaayos ang tanong, maaayos ang kahilingan. Pero 'yung may kalokohan puro parochial concerns 'yan.  Kung baga paano ipo-promote 'yung kanilang sarili para malaman ng tao na, 'O, ako gumawa niyan.'''

(It is not like that. They would raise parochial concerns. But the good congressmen would ask questions well and make reasonable requests. But others would just focus on parochial concerns, basically how to promote their own self so people would know that they did this project.

“Pagdating sa budget hearing, every time na magtanong 'yung mga 'yan, puro pansarili (During budget hearings, whenever they ask questions, it's always about their self-interests),” Magalong said.

He said this experience was not limited to the PNP.

“Nag-uusap din kami ng mga mayor at governors. Kadalasan iisa lang ang complaint: Walang konsultasyon sa LGU. Gumagawa ng project 'yung ilang tiwaling congressman, sarili lang nila, kung ano ang maisip nila, 'yun ang masusunod. Walang konsultasyon sa publiko at LGU,” said Magalong, a convenor of the Mayors for Good Governance.

(Among talks with my fellow mayors and governors, most of the time we have one complaint: there’s no consultation with local government units. Some of these corrupt congressmen initiate a project for their own interests, on their own. Whatever they come up with, that’s what gets followed. There’s no consultation with the public and LGU.)

However, Magalong said not all lawmakers are corrupt, as there are also upright members of the House of Representatives.

The Baguio mayor made the remarks in relation to the anomalies surrounding the country's flood control projects.

GMA News Online contacted Senate President Chiz Escudero for comment, but he has yet to issue a statement.

Meanwhile, House spokesperson Princess Abante refuted Magalong’s claims, saying that members of the House of Representatives were elected to address the needs of their respective localities. 

“We respect Mayor Magalong’s views, but to say lawmakers are ‘focused on parochial concerns’ misses the core of our constitutional mandate,” Abanted told GMA News Online.

“Addressing local issues is not parochialism—it is representation in action,” she added.

The lawmaker pointed out that infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, health centers, and water systems are “not vanity projects” but “lifelines," which cannot be initiated or implemented alone.

“These are not whims of lawmakers but results of consultation, technical vetting, and a strict budget process subject to audit,” Abanted said.

“To dismiss these efforts as mere credit-grabbing undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions and the budget process itself,” she added.

However, Abanted said Congress is open for dialogue to improve its work.

“We welcome dialogue on how to improve our systems—but we reject sweeping claims that cast doubt on the legitimate, hard-fought work of public servants bringing national government services closer to the people,” she said.

House leaders earlier challenged Magalong to back his allegations after he called the House's flood control projects probe “moro-moro” (stage plays).

House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Adiong of Lanao del Sur also pointed out that using the term "moro-moro" not only insults the House but Muslims as well.

Magalong had said he is ready to face Congress after he claimed that there were lawmakers receiving 30% to 40% kickbacks from government projects.

The Baguio mayor also said he will forward documents on the alleged corruption in flood control projects to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — RF/KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News