Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, has challenged Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong to publicly identify the lawmakers he accused of benefiting from illegal budget insertions.
Ridon firmly rejected the claims, labeling them as unfounded fabrications.
“Ang hamon namin kay Mayor Magalong: pangalanan po ninyo kung sino ang tinutukoy ninyong House prosecutors na mayroong budget insertions,” Ridon said.
“Hindi ito totoo, at katulad ng dati, kasinungalingang muli mula kay Mayor Magalong,” he added.
Clarifying the budget timeline, Ridon pointed out that the current fiscal framework—the 2026 General Appropriations Act—was strictly safeguarded against any legislative amendments during its approval process.
“Bakit ito kasinungalingan at fake news? Ang kasalukuyang ipinatutupad na budget ay ang 2026 General Appropriations Act, na tiniyak ng Kongreso, Senado at Pangulo na tinanggalan at pinagbawalang malagyan ng congressional insertions,” he stated.
Ridon added that as of Monday, August 10, Congress had yet to receive the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which the Department of Budget and Management is scheduled to transmit on Tuesday, August 11.
He emphasized that the Executive branch retains sole control over the NEP prior to submission, and formal House Committee on Appropriations hearings have not yet commenced.
“Ang Ehekutibo ang may absolutong kapangyarihan sa nilalaman ng NEP 2027 bago ipasa sa Kongreso at Senado,” Ridon noted.
“Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring deliberasyon ang Kongreso para sa 2027 national budget; wala pa ring mga pagdinig na ipinapatawag ang House Committee on Appropriations para sa budget ng kahit alinmang opisina ng pamahalaan. Kaya ang tanong: papaanong magkakaroon ng insertions ang mga House prosecutors, at papaano sila magkakaroon ng pork barrel?” he asked.
The solon compared the current issue to Magalong’s previous unverified allegations regarding flood control deals.
“Baka katulad na naman po ito noong kasagsagan ng flood control investigations, kung saan nagparatang kayo ng 67 kongresistang kasabwat sa korapsyon na kahit minsan hindi ninyo pinangalanan,” Ridon remarked.
Ridon affirmed that the House prosecution panel remains focused on its constitutional duty regarding the Vice President’s impeachment trial, suggesting the claims are aimed at disrupting the upcoming proceedings over alleged public fund misuse and unexplained wealth.
“Panghuli at pinakamahalaga, nakatutok ang House prosecution panel sa aming papel sa pagtitiyak ng katotohanan at pananagutan sa mga impeachable offenses ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo,” the lawmaker stressed.
“Hindi kami malilihis sa mga paratang na katulad nito, na malinaw na nagsisilbi sa interes ng akusadong Pangalawang Pangulo, para durugin ang kredibilidad ng prosekusyon, sa panahong papalapit na ang paglilitis sa paglalantad ng katotohanan sa maling paggamit ng pondo ng bayan, at sa mga hindi maipaliwanag na yaman ng Pangalawang Pangulo,” Ridon added.