Marcos not linked to P214-B unprogrammed infrastructure deals, lawmaker says

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. was not involved in the approval of infrastructure projects funded through unprogrammed appropriations over the past two years, a congressman said on Wednesday, following questions raised about the deals earlier in the week.

“The only ones involved in the release of unprogrammed appropriations are the DBM (Department of Budget and Management), the requesting agency and the Bureau of the Treasury,” Bataan Rep. Albert Raymond S. Garcia told the House of Representatives plenary. “The Office of the President has no involvement.”

House Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio on Tuesday alleged Mr. Marcos was involved in about 3,700 public works projects worth P214 billion, mostly to regions previously flagged for questionable infrastructure deals.

Mr. Tinio said about P29.4 billion in public works funding was allocated to the Mimaropa region in the past two years, with P25 billion directed to infrastructure projects in central Luzon and P16 billion in the National Capital Region.

“I would like to clarify that these unprogrammed appropriations did not pass by the Office of the President,” Mr. Garcia said in Filipino. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio