Malacañang Defends Proposed P58.53-B LGSF Allocation Amid 'Presidential Pork Barrel' Claims

Malacañang on Wednesday defended the proposed P58.53-billion allocation for the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) in the 2027 national budget, dismissing claims by Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice that it amounts to a "presidential pork barrel." Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that describing the LGSF as a presidential pork barrel is merely "pang-intriga" (for intrigue) and urged Erice to study the LGSF release process to gain clarity. "It is his right to go to whatever court, but he should make sure that there is a basis because if he is given [the information], or if he studies the process of how the LGSF is released to LGUs, he will likely be enlightened," Castro said, referring to Erice. Erice had questioned the proposed LGSF allocation under the 2027 National Expenditure Program, suggesting that granting the executive department the power to decide on these funds effectively gives the President a "blank check" and amounts to Congress abdicating its constitutionally mandated power of the purse. He also indicated he might bring the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary. Erice previously cited the LGSF allocation granted to Naga City for the rehabilitation of the Jesse Robredo Coliseum, noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally presented the allocation to Naga City Mayor, which he felt gave the impression the administration was courting her as a potential candidate. Castro, while not wanting to mention Robredo's name again, stated that the Naga City mayor had already explained how her local government applied for the LGSF. Mayor Robredo had previously posted on Facebook that she sought LGSF funding for the coliseum's rehabilitation upon assuming office in 2025, following advice from Senator Kiko Pangilinan. "As soon as I assumed office in 2025, I tried to look for funding already for its rehabilitation. It was difficult because of the big amount that is required. Senator Kiko Pangilinan advised me that we could apply for LGSF funding because of the nature of the project, which we did," Robredo wrote in a Facebook post. Furthermore, Castro pointed to the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Belgica v. Ochoa, which declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and similar congressional pork barrel mechanisms unconstitutional. She emphasized that this ruling does not prohibit the LGSF, stating, "The Supreme Court does not prohibit the LGSF." The Supreme Court, in its 2013 ruling in Belgica v. Ochoa, declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and similar congressional pork barrel mechanisms unconstitutional, saying they allowed lawmakers to intervene in the post-enactment stages of budget execution. The Court also struck down provisions granting broad discretion to the President over certain lump-sum funds for failing to meet the constitutional requirement of sufficient standards. Information Source: GMA News Philippines