SENATE PROBE | Imee surprised to see funding for AKAP, only e-signature affixed

February 15, 2024 , 11:38 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(February 15, 2024) – Sen. Imee Marcos on Wednesday maintained that the additional funding for a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was an insertion made by the House of Representatives without her full consent as senator.

Marcos was addressing a statement by Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, a senior deputy speaker, that the senators were stopped from questioning the funding for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) when they signed this year’s national budget.

AKAP, which was given P26.7 billion, is being linked to the controversial push for charter change through a people’s initiative.

“Ang sinasabing pirma ko ay isang electronic signature na aming ibinigay matapos mapasa ang budget,” said Marcos. “Itong sa AKAP ay isang ‘House insertion’ na nalaman at ikinagulat namin noong nakita na ang final version.”

As head of the committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, Marcos leads the inquiry into the alleged irregularities of the strong push for charter change through a people’s initiative after reports of bribery in the gathering of signatures were raised.

She added that the DSWD and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) did not seem fully aware of the existence of the allotment for AKAP either.

“Lahat kami ay walang alam pero lahat kami ay may pakialam,” said Marcos. “Sinabi ko na hindi ako papayag nang may magpapapirma bago makita ang final version. Nagsisisi akong nagtiwala kaming walang lokohang magaganap.”

Marcos, the sister of President Bongbong Marcos Jr., claimed that the P26.7 billion budget for AKAP was “alien” to her as sponsor of the DSWD’s budget in the Senate.

Even an official of the DSWD said they were unaware of this allocation but nonetheless called it a “happy surprise” because it can be used to benefit poor people.

DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian maintained that no funds under AKAP have been spent yet since the guidelines are still being crafted. He added that they respect the legislature’s discretion on matters about the national budget.

“The (General Appropriations Act) enjoys presumption of regularity because it went through tough scrutiny of the legislative branch. We will be remiss in our duties if we do not implement what is in the budget,” said Gatchalian.

Marcos said she received information that requests for AKAP should allegedly go through House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who was tagged as the one behind the push for charter change through a people’s initiative. Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, denied such claims.

Amid these developments, Marcos expressed her intention to seek a separate legislative inquiry on AKAP since it may warrant a deeper look beyond its alleged links to the signature drive for charter change through a people’s initiative.

The Commission on Elections has paused all proceedings linked to it pending a review of the matter’s implementing rules and regulations.

(PM)

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