Daven Tamayo

‘No cover-up’: Palace says Marcos unaware of Bonoan’s 'leadership fund' in DPWH

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was unaware of any illegal transactions in the Department of Public Works and Highways during former Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s tenure, the Malacañang said on Thursday, after the former Cabinet member told the Sandiganbayan of an internal fund allocation for lawmakers.The comment comes a day after Bonoan told the anti-graft court of the existence of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/bonoan-set-to-testify-in-revilla-trial-0850">a so-called “leadership fund”</a> where each senator was allegedly entitled to at least P500 million worth in infrastructure projects, while heads of major committees could get at least P1 billion in allocations.Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who was not a senator when the 2025 national budget was prepared, has said <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/13/lacson-no-leadership-fund-in-2026-budget-1356">allocations for projects are not illegal but could be abused</a>.“Kung alam ng pangulo hindi mangyayari &#x27;yan. Parang teacher, pag kayo ay nangopya, ipapaalam niyo ba sa teacher ninyo? Pag nahuli kayo ng teacher, hindi ba bibigyan kayo ng penalty?” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.(The president didn&#x27;t know about that. Like with a teacher, if you are cheating, would you let them know? If the teacher catches you, wouldn&#x27;t you be penalized?)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/13/lacson-says-leadership-fund-a-worse-version-of-pork-barrel-1024">Lacson says ‘leadership fund’ a ‘worse version of pork barrel’ </a></div>She said Marcos Jr. would not have tolerated the practice if he knew about it.Castro also dispelled allegations of a cover-up, saying the schemes only surfaced after the president called for a nationwide investigation on anomalous infrastructure projects.She said Marcos Jr. ordered the probe even if officials of his administration would be implicated.“Hindi niya ito kinoverup,&quot; Castro said.(He did not cover this up.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/senators-fire-back-at-bonoan-s-leadership-funds-allocation-claim-2129">Senators fire back at Bonoan’s ‘leadership funds’ allocation claim </a></div>The &quot;leadership fund&quot; ended after Vince Dizon took over as public works secretary, Castro said.She said it doesn&#x27;t exist either in the proposed 2027 national budget.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was unaware of any illegal transactions in the Department of Public Works and Highways during former Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s tenure, Malacañang said on Thursday after the former Cabinet member told the Sandiganbayan of an internal fund allocation for lawmakers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was unaware of any illegal transactions in the Department of Public Works and Highways during former Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s tenure, Malacañang said on Thursday after the former Cabinet member told the Sandiganbayan of an internal fund allocation for lawmakers.