Malacañang firmly refuted allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved or was even aware of a controversial “leadership fund” within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Speaking at a news briefing on Monday, August 17, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the Chief Executive never held discussions regarding the alleged fund allocation, reiterating the President’s steadfast principle that taxpayer money must directly finance community projects rather than individuals.
”Sinabi po niya na wala talaga itong pinag-usapan dahil kapag nag-uusap sila at nagri-report si Secretary Manny Bonoan, hinahanapan niya ng proyekto at dapat ang proyekto ay base sa pangangailangan ng lugar, ng bayan. Ang pondo ay binibigay sa proyekto, hindi sa tao,” Castro said.
”Kaya siguro nabanggit niya na equitable distribution ang nais ng Pangulo, dahil iyon ang utos ng Pangulo. Pero when it comes to leadership fund, never po itong nabanggit sa Pangulo at ito din po ay dinenay ng economic team,” Castro added.
Castro stressed that the mechanism was never an official program initiated under presidential directives, adding that the Department of Budget and Management confirmed the non-existence of any “leadership fund” line item in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
”So, kung mayroon man silang pag-uusap among themselves dito sa DPWH, hindi po ito kailanman naging programa ng Pangulo,” she stated.
”Iyan din po ay itinanong natin mismo sa DBM. Wala pong leadership fund dito sa GAA,” Castro said.
The Palace official explicitly rejected claims made by former DPWH Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan, who suggested the arrangement was formed upon the President’s orders to counter legislative budget cuts and project insertions.
Castro emphasized that President Marcos actively pushed for clean execution of agency duties and initiated an immediate probe when reporting discrepancies emerged within the agency.
”Ang utos nga niya ay dapat maging maayos ang lahat ng proyekto,” Castro noted.
”Ayaw kong sabihing pinagalitan si Secretary Manny Bonoan, pero noong huli kaming nag-usap ng Pangulo sa mukha niya, iyon ang gusto niyang sabihin kay Secretary Manny Bonoan, ‘Ayusin mo ang trabaho’,” Castro added.
”Kaya nga po, ano ang ginawa ng Pangulo noong nalaman niya na may anomalya sa DPWH? Dahil mali-mali na iyong report ni Secretary Manny Bonoan, ang ginawa agad ng Pangulo ay nagpaimbestiga,” Castro asserted.
”Wala namang magagawa ang Pangulo kung hindi paimbestigahan iyan dahil kung mayroon kayong ginawang anomalya diyan, dapat managot ang lahat ng dapat na managot. Hindi po ito pinabayaan ng Pangulo,” Castro added.
Addressing speculation regarding Bonoan’s legal standing, Castro noted that turning the former official into a state witness remains unconsidered by Malacañang and rests entirely with the judiciary.