Camille Naredo

Senate President Win Gatchalian during the third day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 8. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte cross-examines the first witness presented by the House prosecution panel during the third day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 8. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumed its hearing on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which covers the alleged grave threats by the vice president against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, who reviewed the video cited by the prosecution in support of its allegations, returns to the witness stand to respond to questions from defense lawyers. The trial has been adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13, when the House prosecution panel is expected to present its second witness, Atty. Jeremy Lontoc.
Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

ABS-CBN News

<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/178676453294020260709-senate-impeachment-day3-WA-33.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Senate President Win Gatchalian during the third day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 8. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senate President Win Gatchalian during the third day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 8. <em>Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday said he had never heard of an alleged “leadership fund” for senators, distancing himself from former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s claim that billions of pesos in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) funds had been earmarked for lawmakers.</p><p>“Ako, 10 years na ako sa Senado at never ko pa narinig tong leadership fund. At never din itong inoffer sa akin, whether by the DPWH or anyone from the Senate,” Gatchalian said in a DZMM interview.</p><p>Bonoan earlier claimed that a P24-billion “leadership fund” existed within the DPWH, with senators allegedly receiving between P500 million and P1 billion each.</p><p>Gatchalian said he only learned of the term after it surfaced in discussions last year.</p><p>“Narinig ko lang ‘to sa yumaong dating Usec. [Cathy] Cabral, lumabas ‘to sa privilege speech ni Sen. [Ping] Lacson, lumabas ‘yung term na leadership fund. Lumabas ‘yung pangalan ni Usec. Cabral,” he said.</p><p>The Senate leader also denied that senators are given predetermined allocations in the national budget.</p><p>Gatchalian said senators may endorse projects requested by local government units and national agencies, but the Senate finance committee ultimately decides whether these proposals are funded.</p><p>“Lahat ng amendments natin ay pino-propose on the floor or pino-propose ng committee at inuupload natin lahat sa website,”  he said.</p><p>He added that stricter transparency measures were implemented during last year’s budget deliberations, requiring local government units to submit supporting documents such as resolutions, programs of work and, when applicable, feasibility studies.</p><p>“The chairman of the Finance Committee is the only one who knows if there’s fiscal space. It’s a position of trust,” he said.</p><p>He also warned that pre-arranged funding allocations could lead to abuse.</p><p>“What’s not good is if there’s already a pre-arranged fund. Maybe there’s already a pre-arranged conversation with contractors. That’s where the problem starts,” he said.</p><p>Gatchalian said the Senate would continue the transparency reforms it adopted during the last budget cycle.</p><p>The Congress is set to deliberate on the proposed 2027 national budget, with the Development Budget Coordination Committee set to formally present the spending program later this month. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/bonoan-senate-leadership-fund-created-to-address-marcos-concern-over-dpwh-budget-cuts-insertions-1259"><strong>Bonoan: Senate ‘leadership fund’ created to address Marcos concern over DPWH budget cuts, insertions</strong></a></div><div><strong><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/house-lawmakers-deny-knowledge-of-leadership-funds-in-2025-budget-1755">House lawmakers deny knowledge of ‘leadership funds’ in 2025 budget</a></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VAfR6JGIho0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday said he had never heard of an alleged “leadership fund” for senators, distancing himself from former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s claim that billions of pesos in DPWH funds had been earmarked for lawmakers.</p>

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday said he had never heard of an alleged “leadership fund” for senators, distancing himself from former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s claim that billions of pesos in DPWH funds had been earmarked for lawmakers.

Gatchalian says he has ‘never heard’ of alleged leadership fund for senators

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Gatchalian says he has ‘never heard’ of alleged leadership fund for senators

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 15, 2026 11:41 AM PHT

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Leadership fund

Win Gatchalian

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