MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang defended Naga City Mayor and former Vice President Leni Robredo following her transparent disclosure of the process used to secure ₱500 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for her municipality.
The Palace statement came after Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Egay Erice threatened to challenge the proposed ₱58.53-billion LGSF before the Supreme Court, labeling the fund a “presidential pork barrel”.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that Representative Erice is free to seek judicial intervention, provided his legal claims hold up under scrutiny.
“Okay, karapatan niyang tumakbo kahit sa saang korte pero dapat siguraduhin lamang po niya na mayroong basehan,” Castro said.
“Kung mabibigyan lamang siya or aaralin po niya ang proseso kung papaano nairi-release ang LGSF sa mga LGUs, malamang ay maliwanagan po siya,” she added.
When asked why the lawmaker characterized the LGSF as a presidential pork barrel, Castro replied:
“Pang-intriga.”
Castro referenced Mayor Robredo’s detailed public accounting to counter claims that the financial aid was politically motivated. According to the Palace, Robredo’s account demonstrates that LGSF grants require local government units to rigorously establish eligibility rather than receiving funds without prerequisites.
Robredo had previously explained that upon taking office as Naga City Mayor in 2025, her administration spent nearly a year seeking assistance to repair and upgrade the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum.
She consulted Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who advised the local government to apply for LGSF support given the scope of the project. The city was informed of the project’s approval in principle by early February 2026.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. subsequently issued a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) worth ₱450 million for the coliseum’s rehabilitation, alongside ₱50 million designated for heavy machinery to enhance local disaster response.
Castro noted that Robredo’s openness regarding the paper trail and itemized allocations emphasizes how the LGSF directly addresses community needs.
“At mismo ay ipagpaumanhin kung magagamit muli natin ang pangalan ni Mayor Leni Robredo dahil siya mismo ang nagpapatunay na mas maganda nga po na mas lumaki pa ang pondo na maitutulong sa ating mga local government units dahil malaki po ang ginhawa na naidudulot nito sa mga constituents,” Castro stated.
Highlighting the Naga Mayor’s accountability, the Palace spokesperson added:
“So, hindi matatawaran ang honesty – nagbibigay ng resibo itong si Mayor Leni Robredo sa mga bawat transaksiyon; hindi pinagdududahan, walang mga aliases na mga resibo,” she said.
“Kaya tingin natin, sa ating palagay ay isang taong may kredibilidad si Mayor Leni Robredo para ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan kung ano ang naitutulong ng LGSF sa mga local government units,” Castro added.
According to Robredo, the ₱450 million allocation will address urgent structural needs at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum.
While the facility regularly serves as Naga’s main evacuation site, it currently lacks vital emergency infrastructure, including proper space for disaster tents, designated sleeping quarters, flood-proof restrooms, relief supply areas, and communal kitchens—a need made more critical following the destruction caused by Typhoon Kristine. The remaining ₱50 million is allocated to heavy machinery for ongoing disaster response operations.
To reinforce the legal basis of the program, Castro pointed to the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling in Belgica v. Executive Secretary, which affirmed the constitutionality of the LGSF provided its administration adheres to legislative standards and guidelines.