Malacañang on Thursday, September 17, rejected claims that the release of cash assistance to local government units (LGUs) was being used for political purposes, saying government support is based on the needs of local communities.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there was no discrimination in the distribution of local government support funds (LGSF), stressing that assistance is extended to LGUs depending on their requirements and the government’s capacity to respond.
“Ang pagtulong po sa local government, wala po itong pinipili. Kung ano iyong kailangan ng local government, iyon po ang puwedeng matugunan kung kakayanin,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Castro issued the statement after Caloocan 2nd District Representative Egay Erice questioned the ₱500-million allocation for Naga City, one of the wealthiest cities in the Bicol region. Erice also raised the possibility that the administration could be using the funding to build a political alliance.
The Palace official dismissed the suggestion, saying Robredo’s identity as the former Vice President and current Naga City mayor does not mean the assistance was granted for political reasons.
“Hindi porke’t si dating Bise Presidente Leni Robredo, now Mayor Leni Robredo ng Naga City ay nabigyan ng ganitong klaseng pagtulong, namumulitika na? Binibigyan na ng malisya? Hindi lamang po ang Naga City ang nabigyan ng tulong ng administrasyon,” Castro said.
She also urged government critics to verify the circumstances surrounding the funding before making public accusations.
“Ito nga po ang ating sinasabi, bago magbigay ng anumang opinyon, magtanong muna! Bakit hindi niya tanungin si Mayor Leni Robredo kung iyong pagbibigay ng tulong ng administrasyon sa bayan ng Naga ay para sa pamumulitika? Napakairesponsableng mga pananalita ang mga ganito,” she said.
Castro further called for the national government’s assistance to LGUs to be viewed as part of the regular coordination between national and local authorities rather than automatically interpreted as political activity.
“Huwag nating bigyan ng masamang interprestasyon ang ginagawang magandang ugnayan ng national government sa local government. Hindi lahat ng ginagawa ng national government ay puro pamumulitika katulad ng ginagawa nila,” she added.