President Bongbong Marcos met with local chief executives at Malacañang as his administration defended the Local Government Support Fund against claims that it functions as pork barrel.
The Palace rejected accusations that the recent “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” gathering was a venue for patronage politics ahead of the 2028 elections. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the fund is not discretionary pork and stressed that national and local governments must work together to accelerate service delivery.
“Nakakalungkot na may mga tao na puro negatibo ang nasa isip,” Castro said, adding that cooperation between the national government and local executives remains essential to delivering programs on the ground.
Among those present at the Palace event were Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro.
The Local Government Support Fund is administered by the Department of Budget and Management and may be accessed by local government units subject to requirements. Castro said, “Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na bibigyan ng pondo ang local government units ay ikokonsidera na ito na pork barrel.”
More than P58 billion has been earmarked for the fund, which can be used for projects of local units.
The Supreme Court in 2013 declared legislative intervention in pork barrel funds after passage of the national budget unconstitutional and defined presidential pork barrel “as a kind of lump-sum, discretionary fund which allows the president to determine the manner of its utilization,” while limiting the discussion at the time to specific programs.
Castro urged critics to offer solutions instead of maligning the government, as the administration continues coordinating with local officials on funding support.
