Palace says funds for LGUs not pork barrel

Malacañang on Wednesday said providing funds to local government units (LGUs) should not be considered a form of pork barrel.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was responding to remarks by Antonio Tinio, who criticized the Marcos administration’s rollout of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program.

“It's sad that some people are full of negative thoughts. We need cooperation between the national government and LGUs to deliver services to the public. How will we do this? We need cooperation, we need funds,” Castro said in a press briefing.

She added: “Giving funds to LGUs should not be seen as pork barrel. The public needs assistance from both the national and local governments.”

Castro emphasized that the administration welcomes suggestions on addressing the country’s challenges rather than engaging in political intrigue.

In a 2013 ruling, the Supreme Court declared the pork barrel unconstitutional, citing budgetary principles that prohibit lawmakers from using public funds as discretionary allocations.

Tinio had earlier described the program launch as a “clear attempt by the Marcos administration to consolidate its political machinery ahead of the 2028 elections using billions in LGU pork funded by suffering government workers.”

The administration, however, said the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program is a national initiative designed to strengthen support for all LGUs.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the program aims to ensure the benefits of national progress are quickly and equitably felt across every community.

He added that the initiative seeks to bridge the “opportunity gap,” translating national economic growth into tangible household security, so that progress is measured by the well-being of every Filipino family.—MCG, GMA Integrated News