Baguio Mayor Magalong says some solons got 'ayuda' funds from Speaker

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said some lawmakers who joined Speaker Martin Romualdez in his trips were given money from funds of government cash aid or ayuda programs such as the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras”, Magalong said he got the information from reliable sources who were included in Romualdez's trips.

“It’s about P20 million. Nakaapat ka ba naman eh di 21 times four . That’s P84 million. Eh iilan yang sumasama. Nalaman ng ibang congressman na meron pala niyan, nagsamahan na lahat,” Magalong said.

(It’s about P20 million. You have four, so that’s 21 times four. That’s P84 million. Then, you have how many companions. Other congressmen found out and joined.)

Magalong alleged that congressmen distribute the money to the people as if it came from their pockets.

“How can they disburse this fund na ganoon na lang ba kadali? Palalabasin pa nila, ipaparamdam pa nila sa mga tao na galing sa amin to, ginagawa ba yan sa iba. Mga ganun pa yung parinig so nakakalungkot isispin,” Magalong said.

(How can they easily disburse such an enormous amount? Then they will make it look like it came from their pockets and ask if others are doing that as well. It’s sad to know that.)

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Romualdez for comments but has yet to reply.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it is impossible that congressmen will distribute the funds from the ayuda programs.

“Hindi ito posible since kami mismo ang nag di-disberse ng funds for AICS and AKAP. This is done through our social workers, through our workers in the field, sa satellite offices. Pati na rin duto sa central office. As for the DOH and DOLE, I believe ganun din yun kasi these funds are through the department so the funds are with us and with the respective departments,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary JC Marquez said.

(That is impossible since we are the ones distributing the funds for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Program and AKAP.  This is done through our social workers, workers in the field, in satellite offices, and in the central office. As for the Department of Health and Department of Labor and Employment, I believe it’s the same because these funds are through the department, so the funds are with us and with the respective departments.)

However, Marquez admitted that it is concerning if the programs’ names are used for politics.

“To insulate our programs, as we have mentioned time and again, from politics. So, wala kaming kinikilingan na politician (We have no bias for any politician),” Marquez said.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said he is unaware of Magalong’s statements.

“Hindi ko alam kasi hindi pa ako sumasama eh,” Salceda saying he has his own funds.

“Pero yung pinamudmod, galing kay Speaker, oo pero hindi sa akin [galing] yung bigas. Galing palang kami kay [Severe Tropical Storm] Kristine eh, timing na nandun si Speaker,” Salceda said.

(The rice that was distributed after Kristine came from Romualdez, not mine. He was there after the storm.)

House appropriations committee chair and Ako Bicol party-list Zaldy Co assured that the AKAP is free from corruption.

Co had stressed that AKAP is not a pork barrel since the DSWD holds the funds and determines the beneficiaries. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News