Marcos has no knowledge of senators' alleged 'leadership fund' — Palace

Malacañang on Thursday distanced President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from the claim of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan regarding a ₱24-billion “leadership fund” allegedly allocated for senators.

According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, if the President knew about such funds, he would not have tolerated it.

“Kung alam ng Pangulo, hindi mangyayari ‘yan,” Castro said at a Palace briefing.

(If the President knew about it, it wouldn’t have happened.)

“Parang teacher. Kapag kayo’y nangopya, ipapalaam ninyo ba sa teacher ninyo? ‘Pag nahuli kayo ng teacher, anong gagawin ng teacher? Hindi ba bibigyan kayo ng penalty? So ‘yun na lang — kung alam ng Pangulo ‘yan, hindi niya ‘yan ito-tolerate at hindi ‘yan mangyayari,” she added.

(He’s like a teacher. If you cheat, would you tell your teacher? If the teacher catches you, what would the teacher do? Won’t they give you a penalty? So this is like that—if the President knows about it, he won’t tolerate it and that deal won’t happen.)

Castro said that talks about such alleged deals are sometimes done in secret.

She also said that even incumbent DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has no idea about the matter.

“Kung sa kanila po ito naganap at ito ay kanilang usapan, walang malalaman ang sinuman kung ito ay sariling usapan lang ni Secretary Bonoan at kung sinuman ang official,” Castro said.

(If this was a discussion between Secretary Bonoan and the officials, no one would know about it aside from them.)

In his testimony before the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday, Bonoan claimed that the "leadership fund" is allocated by the DPWH for senators recommending a list of projects.

Each senator, he said, allegedly has a P500-million allocation, while those who have committee chairmanships receive P1 billion each.

Several senators have denied the allegation.

No probe

Castro also said that Marcos would no longer call for an internal investigation regarding the so-called “leadership fund” as the case is already in the hands of the Sandiganbayan.

She also said that the DPWH, under the leadership of Dizon, has no such funds in the proposed 2027 national budget.

“No leadership fund under the 2027 budget. All projects proposed in the 2027 DPWH budget are based on needs of the local and regional governments, and if needed, secured clearance from Regional Development Councils to ensure that these benefit the people,” Castro said, citing a message from the DPWH.

“Only projects that have complete documentary requirements such as plans and programs are submitted to ensure compliance with DBM guidelines,” she added. — RSJ, GMA News