Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative is a disguised pork barrel scheme, stressing that the program is designed to strengthen assistance to local government units (LGUs).
The clarification came after ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio claimed that the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was using the initiative to build political machinery ahead of the 2028 elections, allegedly funded by “billions (of pesos) in LGU pork” sourced from government workers.
Addressing the issue in a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro rejected the accusation, underscoring the need for cooperation between national and local governments.
“Nakakalungkot na may mga tao na puro negatibo ang nasa isip. Kailangan po ng pagtutulungan ng national government at ng mga local government units para mas mabilis na maihatid ang serbisyo sa mga nasasakupan. Papaano po ito magagawa? Kailangan pagtutulungan, kailangan ng pondo,” she stated.
“Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na bibigyan ng pondo ang local government units ay ikokonsidera na ito na pork barrel. Kinakailangan po ng taumbayan ang tulong ng national at ng local governments,” Castro further emphasized.
The pork barrel system, formally known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2023 for violating budgetary principles due to lawmakers’ discretionary control over public funds.
Launched last week, the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program was described by the administration as an initiative to reinforce national government support for LGUs.
Marcos earlier said the effort seeks to ensure that the gains of economic growth are distributed more swiftly and equitably among communities nationwide.