LGSF as pork barrel? ‘Pang-intriga,’ says Palace exec

September 23, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Malacañang on Wednesday defended the Local Government Support Fund from criticism that it is similar to a pork barrel fund, calling such criticisms as merely meant to sow intrigue.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the response after Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice questioned the P 58 billion allocation for the fund anew in the 2027 National Expenditure PRogram and even vowed to raise the matter to the Supreme Court.

Castro said calling the LGSF as similar to pork barrel funds are just “pang-intriga,” or meant to sow intrigue.

“Karapatan niyang tumakbo kahit sa saang korte, pero dapat siguraduhin lamang po niya na mayroong basehan dahil kung mabibigyan lamang siya or aaralin po niya ang proseso kung papaano nairi-release ang LGSF sa mga LGUs,” she said in response to Erice’s remarks.

Earlier, Erice said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s turnover of LGSF funds to Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo to rehabilitate the Jesse Robredo Coliseum was as if the Marcos administration is courting her as a potential candidate in the 2028 elections.

Castro noted that Robredo herself explained how the Naga City local government unit applied for the LGSF. She said Senator Francis Pangilinan advised her to apply for LGSF funding.

Castro added that the Supreme Court already ruled on the issue of the LGSF and that the HIgh Court does not prohibit its use.