Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed doubts over the allegations made by former Congressman Zaldy Co.
Co earlier claimed that President Bongbong Marcos ordered the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations.
In an interview, Gatchalian emphasized that since the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is the “President’s budget,” it is crafted by the Executive Branch. If the President wants specific projects included, they would already be placed in the NEP at the outset.
He explained that making major changes at the bicam stage would disrupt the internal balance of the spending plan.
After reviewing the list of alleged insertions released by Co, Gatchalian said many of the items were minor or community-level road improvements.
He questioned why, if the President were to insert projects, they would be secondary roads rather than major highways.
He also pointed out that President Marcos had previously vetoed P190 billion worth of items in the proposed budget. It would not be “logical,” he said, for the President to veto his own projects.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian shared that former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has already returned the funds he allegedly pocketed from the government.
According to the senator, restitution is part of the memorandum of agreement required for someone to become a state witness—meaning they must return or commit to returning any ill-gotten money.
(PHOTO COURTESY: SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES)
