Joselito Malig

House lawmakers deny knowledge of ‘leadership funds’ in 2025 budget

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — At least two House members denied knowledge of so-called “leadership funds” in the 2025 national budget.They issued the statement after former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan told the Sandiganbayan that senators were allocated at least P500 million each under a DPWH “leadership” fund, while chairpersons of major Senate committees could receive up to P1 billion.“We are not privy to that kind of discussion, yung leadership funds… It’s for the former Sec. Bonoan to fill in the additional details para ma-appreciate po ng Korte na pinag-uusapan nga nila ngayon dito sa Sandiganbayan,” House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.“Ang alam kong binabanggit ni Secretary Bonoan na leadership fund, ay leadership fund sa senador. Parang ‘yun ang binanggit niya eh, ‘yun ang pagkakaintindi ko,” House Committee on Good Governent and Public Accountability Chairperson Rep. Joel Chua, for his part, said.House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Antonio Tinio, meanwhile, slammed Malacanang’s claim that the President was unaware of any illegal transactions in the Department of Public Works and Highways during former Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s tenure.&quot;The President prepared and signed the 2025 national budget. That &#x27;leadership fund&#x27; did not materialize out of thin air—it went through the entire budget process under his watch and was enacted with his approval. To now claim he was unaware is an insult to the intelligence of the Filipino people,&quot; Tinio said.&quot;Sa ganitong mga sitwasyon  kaya binigyan ang Presidente ng veto power bilang check laban sa abuso. Kaya hindi pwede sabihing hindi niya alam ang so-called &#x27;leadership fund&#x27; at hindi ito katangap-tanggap dahil tungkulin ng presienteng alamin,” he added.&quot;Bonoan was appointed by Marcos and served as his Cabinet official. It defies all logic and reason to believe that a P24-billion discretionary fund would be operationalized under the DPWH without the knowledge of the Secretary&#x27;s appointing authority. An alter ego acts on behalf of the principal. The President cannot simply wash his hands of his alter ego&#x27;s doing,&quot; Tinio noted.

At least two House members denied knowledge of so-called “leadership funds” in the 2025 national budget.

At least two House members denied knowledge of so-called “leadership funds” in the 2025 national budget.