Malacañang Palace has challenged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to provide evidence to support his accusations that the General Appropriations Act for 2025 is being used as an election fund.

“We respect Mayor Magalong's perspective, but it would have been better if he had spoken up, as evidence has already been presented that this was used in the election fund,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Thursday.

Reports claim lawmakers are accused of receiving social amelioration funds when they accompany House Speaker Martin Romualdez on out-of-town engagements.

Castro clarified that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provides assistance not just at the request of politicians, particularly lawmakers. She said she had spoken with the DSWD to address the allegations.

“We called the DSWD, we contacted them to find out if there is any truth to what Mayor Magalong is saying… They said, anybody, anyone can ask for help from the DSWD. So, this does not mean that only politicians use the funds. Anyone, even those who are not incumbents but are running but if they have a valid request and it can be vetted by the DSWD, they can make a letter referral, this will be assisted according to the DSWD,” she said.

She emphasized that social amelioration funds come directly from the DSWD and are not funneled through any individual.

“If any assistance is provided by politicians, it comes from their own funds,” Castro added.

Castro also urged Magalong to provide any supporting documents to the Presidential Communications Office to help the government investigate and address any potential wrongdoing.

“It's difficult to deal with this because the accusation is general but the most detailed information is not provided because it will damage the image of the government; it will also damage all politicians, most of whom are innocent,” she said.

“So if there is evidence, this is a case regarding the GAA and the enrolled bill, he should just provide evidence there so that if there is an issue, it will be clearer,” she added.

Palace open to help Magalong vs death threats

Castro also said Malacañang Palace is open to assisting Magalong in addressing the death threats made against him, provided he can offer evidence to the government.

“If he can also prove that this is from his alleged exposure here in the issue of GAA being used as an election fund, it would be better if… he was part of the PNP before, he is good at investigating, just provide all the evidence and we will help if there are really death threats,” she said.