Palace defends P58.5-B local fund against 'presidential pork' claim

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang defended the proposed P58.53-billion Local Government Support Fund for 2027 against a lawmaker's claim that it amounts to a "presidential pork barrel."

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro rejected Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice's characterization of the LGSF as a discretionary fund under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying releases to local governments are subject to requirements and evaluation.

Erice has questioned whether Congress is giving the executive too much discretion over which local governments receive funding and how much they get. He has said he plans to challenge the LGSF before the Supreme Court unless tighter allocation rules are imposed.

In response, Castro said Erice was free to seek relief from the courts but should first examine how LGSF releases are processed.

"Karapatan niya tumakbo kahit saang korte pero dapat siguraduhin lamang po niya na mayroong basehan. Dahil kung mabibigyan lamang siya or aaralin po niya ang proseso kung papaano naire-release ang LGSF sa mga LGU, malamang ay maliwanagan po siya," Castro said on Wednesday, September 2.

(It is his right to go to any court, but he should make sure that there is a basis. If he studies the process for releasing the LGSF to LGUs, he will probably understand it better.)

Under the government's proposed system, LGUs seeking financial assistance must submit requests directly to the Department of Budget and Management, with applications subject to eligibility requirements, evaluation, monitoring and audit.

The proposed P58.53-billion LGSF for 2027 covers financial assistance to LGUs, the Growth Equity Fund and the Barangay Development Program.

"Hindi po ibinibigay ang pondo basta-basta," Castro said. (The funds are not simply released without basis.)

Castro pointed to Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo's P500-million funding request for the rehabilitation and modernization of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum as an example of how local governments seek support from the national government.

"Ipagpaumanhin kung magagamit muli natin ang pangalan ni Mayor Leni Robredo dahil siya mismo ay nagpapatunay na mas maganda nga po na mas lumaki pa ang pondo na maitutulong sa ating mga local government units, dahil malaki po ang ginhawa na naidudulot nito sa mga constituents," Castro said.

(Apologies if we use Mayor Leni Robredo's name again, because she herself shows how increasing funds that can assist local government units can provide significant relief to their constituents.)

Marcos turned over a P500-million Special Allotment Release Order for the coliseum project in February.

Robredo has said the project originated from a request made in 2025 and was intended to improve the coliseum as a disaster-resilient facility.

Castro also invoked a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of an earlier LGSF appropriation.

In a 2019 ruling in Belgica v. Executive Secretary, the high court upheld the LGSF in the 2014 national budget, finding that it had a sufficiently identifiable purpose of providing financial assistance to local governments.

"Sinabi mismo ng Supreme Court na ang LGSF ay hindi po bawal at ito po ay nasa tamang paggamit para sa ating mga LGUs," Castro said.

(The Supreme Court itself said that the LGSF is not prohibited and may properly be used to support our LGUs.)

abtestabtest Senators junk Chiz’s ruling on fixed 16 votes to convict By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 15 hours ago Senators yesterday junked Sen. Francis Escudero’s July 6 ruling as impeachment court presiding officer to fix at 16... Headlines Defense: Conviction voting issue may be raised before SC By Evelyn Macairan | 15 hours ago The defense team going to the Supreme Court “is a real possibility” as it questioned the decision of the Senate... Headlines COA flags OVP over relief operations, documentation lapses By Ian Laqui | 22 hours ago In its consolidated audit report on the country's disaster risk reduction and management funds, state auditors reported... Headlines Mark Villar, facing graft complaints, breaks from minority on VP Sara threshold vote By Cristina Chi | 22 hours ago Sen. Mark Villar twice strayed from the Senate minority bloc on Wednesday, September 23, by abstaining from his bloc's... Headlines Jonvic Remulla admits error on Harry Roque’s asylum status By Ian Laqui | 22 hours ago In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, September 22, Remulla said that  Roque's status is currently "in... Headlines Latest More in Headlines After SC nudge, Senate to seek urgent tag for anti-dynasty bill Gov’t to continue missing sabungeros probe despite families’ noncooperation Tropical Storm Queenie enters PAR — PAGASA 40 Pinoy seafarers safe in Singapore Strait ship collision abtest Tropical Storm Surigae enters PAR, now called 'Queenie' By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 5 hours ago Tropical Storm Surigae entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Thursday morning, state weather bureau... Headlines Cybersecurity agency clarifies extension granted only to Reddit, not Discord By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 5 hours ago The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center clarified that the extension granted to online platform Reddit does... Headlines Marcos asked: Veto BSKE postponement By Christine Boton | 15 hours ago Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has urged President Marcos to veto the enrolled bill postponing the barangay and Sangguniang... Headlines ‘Threat to ban Reddit, Discord akin to China repression’ By Elijah Felice Rosales | 15 hours ago Threats to ban social media sites nationwide emulate China’s draconian measures, according to civilian proponents of... Headlines Recommended Buslot nga depensa September 22, 2026 - 12:00am Kinakusgan nga depensa ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pasangil nga duna siyay kompaniya nga nakig-transaksiyon sa Davao City Hall nga gipangulohan sa iyang igsuon nga si Baste Duterte mao ang maisuong pag-insistir....r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Gipangita pang palusot September 23, 2026 - 12:00am Unsaon pagsagang ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte ang pasangil nga kalapasan sa 1987 Constitution ang padayon nga pagpanag-iya sa mga kompaniya nga gilista sa iyang statements of assets, liabilities and net worth...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Naunay sa kahawod September 21, 2026 - 12:00am Kon wala pang kabantay si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte, nga posibleng maoy rason nganong padayon nga nangangkon nga walay ebidensiya ang prosekusyon sa impeachment trial batok niya, daghan na napresentar nga mga...r HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Synchronized swimming sa iring September 20, 2026 - 12:00am Matud pa ni kanhi Presidential Spokesman Atty. Salvador Panelo, mahimo’ng mag-atubang og legal nga hagit ug mga kaso’ng kriminal ang mga senator-judges sa impeachment trial ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte...r HeadlinesTRENDING Sara ug Baste September 18, 2026 - 12:00am Hinaot nga nakaamgo na si Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Buslot nga depensa Kinakusgan nga depensa ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte sa pasangil nga duna siyay kompaniya nga nakig-transaksiyon sa Davao City Hall nga gipangulohan sa iyang igsuon nga si Baste Duterte mao ang maisuong pag-insistir. Nga nasipyat siya. 2 days ago SARA DUTERTE Gipangita pang palusot Unsaon pagsagang ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte ang pasangil nga kalapasan sa 1987 Constitution ang padayon nga pagpanag-iya sa mga kompaniya nga gilista sa iyang statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs)? 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Naunay sa kahawod Kon wala pang kabantay si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte, nga posibleng maoy rason nganong padayon nga nangangkon nga walay ebidensiya ang prosekusyon sa impeachment trial batok niya, daghan na napresentar nga mga dokumento ug mga testimoniya nga momatuod sa upat ka articles of impeachment. 3 days ago SARA DUTERTE Synchronized swimming sa iring Matud pa ni kanhi Presidential Spokesman Atty. Salvador Panelo, mahimo’ng mag-atubang og legal nga hagit ug mga kaso’ng kriminal ang mga senator-judges sa impeachment trial ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte kon ugaling ipadayon gayod nila ang pag-usab sa 2/3 voting requirement. 4 days ago TRENDING Sara ug Baste Hinaot nga nakaamgo na si Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte. 6 days ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!