Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

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/17869534986301786953496858.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Employees prepare the senators&#x27; desks a few moments before the start of session at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Employees prepare the senators&#x27; desks a few moments before the start of session at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Malacañang on Monday reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had no knowledge of the so-called <a 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">&quot;leadership fund&quot;</a> that former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said was in the 2025 national budget.</p><p>Bonoan said in a judicial affidavit that the Senate “leadership fund” was created after Marcos Jr. raised serious concern over massive cuts in the Department of Public Works and Highways budget in 2023 and the insertion of thousands of projects being pushed by lawmakers.</p><p>Bonoan said senators were given at least P500 million that could be allocated to their priority projects.</p><p>Senators have denied the discretionary allocations but have also stressed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/senators-fire-back-at-bonoan-s-leadership-funds-allocation-claim-2129">budget amendments are part of the process</a>.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;NO DISCUSSION&#x27;</strong></div><p>Citing Marcos Jr., Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there had been no discussion of that.</p><p>She said the discussions had been on the need to make sure projects address the needs of an area.</p><p>&quot;Ang pondo ay binibigay sa proyekto, hindi sa tao (Funds go to the project, not a person),” Castro said in a briefing Monday, August 17.</p><p>She said the supposed leadership fund &quot;was never&quot; mentioned to Marcos Jr.  The economic team has also denied there were discussions on it.</p><p>“So, kung mayroon man silang pag-uusap among themselves dito sa DPWH, hindi po ito kailanman naging programa ng pangulo,” she added.</p><p>(So, if there were discussions among themselves at the DPWH, that was never the president&#x27;s program)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/15/gatchalian-says-he-has-never-heard-of-alleged-leadership-fund-for-senators-1141">Gatchalian says he has ‘never heard’ of alleged leadership fund for senators</a></div><p>Castro also said, citing the Department of Budget and Management, that there is no &quot;leadership fund&quot; in the national budget.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MARCOS ORDERED PROBE</strong></div><p>She added that Marcos Jr. told her that his order to Bonoan had been to make sure projects are done correctly and well.</p><p>Castro also raised anew that it was Marcos Jr. who ordered and investigation into alleged anomalies after Bonoan’s &quot;erroneous&quot; reports.</p><p>“Wala namang magagawa ang pangulo kung hindi paimbestigahan iyan dahil kung mayroon kayong ginawang anomalya diyan, dapat managot ang lahat ng dapat na managot,” she said.</p><p>(The president could do nothing but order the investigation because if there are anomalies, then all who are involved must be held accountable.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/bonoan-set-to-testify-in-revilla-trial-0850">Bonoan: At least P500-million DPWH ‘leadership funds’ allocated to each senator in FY 2025</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K6m7z8xRnuI?si=85w8hnovXcbSmLzF" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Malacañang on Monday reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had no knowledge of the so-called <a 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">"leadership fund"</a> that former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said was in the 2025 national budget.</p>

Malacañang on Monday reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had no knowledge of the so-called "leadership fund" that former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said was in the 2025 national budget.

'Hindi programa ng pangulo': Palace distances Marcos Jr. from ‘leadership fund’ anew

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

'Hindi programa ng pangulo': Palace distances Marcos Jr. from ‘leadership fund’ anew

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 04:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Claire Castro

Sara Duterte

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.