Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco has confirmed the exposé of Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong regarding the alleged “777” scheme taking place in the House of Representatives.
In an interview on Headstart over ABS-CBN News Channel, Tiangco revealed that the “777” scheme was first carried out during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair last year.
Based on Magalong’s earlier disclosure — which Tiangco corroborated — some lawmakers reportedly received ₱21 million for three projects:
- ₱7 million for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS)
- ₱7 million for Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP)
- ₱7 million for Ayuda Para Sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)
“I was quiet about it. Tinanong ako nung isang reporter after the SONA, totoo ba yung 777? Alangan namang magsinungaling ako, kaya ang sabi ko totoo,” Tiangco said.
The lawmaker questioned the process, claiming that lawmakers could only access the funds if they attended the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, one of the flagship programs of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration.
“Bakit pag sumama ka sa Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, meron kang 777, kung di ka sumama, wala ka,” Tiangco pointed out.
He then posed a sharp question seemingly directed at House Speaker Martin Romualdez:
“Endorsement ba ‘yan or he has the authority to give or not to give?”
As of now, Romualdez and lawmakers close to him have yet to respond to Tiangco’s statements.