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Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Araneta Marcos III during the opening session of the 20th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday dismissed claims that General Santos City&#x27;s lone congressional district received no funding for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which he said is impossible.</p><p>Speaking to reporters, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s son said there is no basis for the claims.</p><p>“There&#x27;s no such thing as zero MOOE. There&#x27;s no such thing as zero budget either. That&#x27;s impossible,” he said.</p><p>General Santos City Rep. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles is a member of the House majority. </p><p>Marcos also denied allegations that residents of General Santos City were unable to access government assistance programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) of the social welfare department and the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) of the health department.</p><p>“That&#x27;s impossible. Saan mo ‘yan narinig? Ipa-verify mo muna dapat,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781690816650719714752_122184053072878343_2861349604904245654_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This photo released by Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 12 on June 9, 2026 shows the distribution of AICS and other aid in General Santos City.</span></span></span></div><p>The House leader emphasized the importance of fact-checking information before raising claims in public.</p><p>“As far as I know po, wala pong zero na ganoon, lalo na sa GenSan. Who would be so stupid to do that?” Marcos said.</p><p>Marcos also said the House of Representatives has been coordinating with districts affected by the recent earthquake to determine what assistance may be needed. </p><p>“We have been contacting the representatives and asking what they need, whether it be MAIFIP or medical assistance, whether it be relief goods, whether it be anything that the House can provide,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/15/deped-vows-to-distribute-all-textbooks-within-first-term-1839">DepEd vows to distribute all textbooks within first term as lawmaker flags non-delivery for multiple levels in Muntinlupa</a></div><div><a href="http://DepEd vows to distribute all textbooks within first term as lawmaker flags non-delivery for multiple levels in Muntinlupa">Deadly Mindanao quake raised seabed by up to two meters</a></div>

<p>House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday dismissed claims that General Santos City's lone congressional district received no funding for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which he said is impossible.</p>

House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday dismissed claims that General Santos City's lone congressional district received no funding for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which he said is impossible.

House Majority Leader Marcos dismisses claims of ‘zero' MOOE funding for GenSan

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House Majority Leader Marcos dismisses claims of ‘zero' MOOE funding for GenSan

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2026 06:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Sandro Marcos

General Santos City

Department of Social Welfare and Development

Department of Health

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