Malacañang urged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to support his allegations that the funds under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) were turned into election funds.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Maagalong claimed in an interview that only a few people were involved in changing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and that GAA was being used for political purposes.

In her press briefing on Thursday, March 27, the Palace Press Officer said while the government respects Magalong's opinion, he needs to show concrete proof to back his claims.

"Ginagalang po natin ang pananaw ni Mayor Magalong, pero mas maganda po sana kung magsasalita po siya ay nandiyan na, nakahain na po ang mga ebidensiya na ito ay nagamit sa election fund (We respect the opinion of Mayor Magalong, but it would be better if, when he speaks, the evidence is already available to show that the funds were used for the election)," she said.

"Nais po natin, kay Mayor Magalong, ibigay po ang mga ebidensiya. Bigyan niya rin po kami dito sa PCO para malaman natin kung may katotohanan ba ang bintang na ito (We want Mayor Magalong to provide evidence. He should also give it to us at the Presidential Communications Office so we can determine if these allegations are true)," she added.

Castro warned against making vague accusations, saying these could harm the reputation of innocent officials.

"Mahirap po kasi na ang bintang po ay pangkalahatan pero hindi naman po naibibigay ang pinakadetalye kasi makakasira po ito sa imahe ng gobyerno, sa pamahalaan (It is difficult when allegations are made generally without details because it damages the image of the government)," she said.

"Makasisira rin po ito sa lahat ng mga pulitiko na ang karamihan naman po ay inosente (It willa also ruin and all politicians, most of whom are innocent)," she added.

To verify the claims, Castro said the PCO would coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

She likewise clarified that financial assistance from the DSWD is not limited to politicians and can be requested by anyone with valid needs.

"Tinanong po natin na ang mga pulitiko lamang ba ang pwedeng mag-refer sa DSWD kung may nais tulungan? Ang sabi po nila, anybody, kahit sino ay puwedeng humingi ng tulong sa DSWD (We asked if only politicians could refer people for assistance from the DSWD, and they said anybody, anyone can seek help from the DSWD)," Castro said.

According to the Palace official, funds distributed through the DSWD come from the agency, while assistance politicians provide to the public comes from their personal funds.

Meanwhile, Castro also urged Magalong to identify the source of the supposed threats against his life for his statements about corruption, saying the PCO did not know where they came from.

"Mas maganda po dati naman din po siya na naging parte ng PNP, magaling naman po siyang mag-imbestiga, ibigay lamang po niya ang lahat ng ebidensiya at tayo ay tutulong kung totoong may death threats (Since he was once part of the Philippine National Police and is good at investigating, it would be better if he provides all the evidence, and we will help if the threats are real)," she said.