Zamboanga City 2nd district Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalpe (left), Zamboanga City 1st district Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso (Facebook, PPAB)

House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalpe blasted Zamboanga City 1st district Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso for his alleged shortcomings as a congressman right after the latter made claimed that the P6.352-trillion 2025 budget was being "weaponized" against administration opponents.

Olaso also made unsavory accusations against House Speaker Martin Romualdez, which Dalipe dismissed as "baseless and self-serving" along with the budget allegation.

Dalipe said Olaso’s lackluster performance in Congress was the real reason why he failed to secure significant projects and funding for his district—not some imagined political maneuvering.

He outright called Olaso "lazy".

“This is not about politics. This is about competence, leadership, and hard work—all of which Olaso has failed to demonstrate as a House member. Instead of blaming others for his failures, he should look at his own poor track record. His constituents deserve better than excuses and baseless allegations,” Dalipe said in a statement.

Earlier reports quoted Olaso as saying that a P1-billion allocation for nationally funded infrastructure projects was removed from his district due to his decision to run for mayor opposite Dalipe--Romualdez's right-hand man in the lower chamber.

Olaso had claimed that no less than Romualdez himself told him not to pursue his candidacy for mayor so as to have Dalipe run for the post unchallenged.

According to Dalipe, Olaso hardly participates in important House deliberations, particularly in budget hearings, where lawmakers fight for the needs of their districts. His absence, tardiness and lack of engagement, he said, are the real reasons why he has failed to deliver projects and programs to his constituents.

“The budget process is open and transparent. Lawmakers who actively engage, participate in hearings, and push for their district’s needs are able to secure funding for vital projects. Unfortunately, Olaso has been missing in actionand became obsessed in foreign travels. How can he expect results when he does not even put in the effort?” Dalipe asked.

"Unlike hardworking legislators who tirelessly lobby for their districts and engage with national government agencies, Olaso has failed to make his presence felt, contributing nothing to the legislative process that could benefit his constituents," his statement read.

“His voters should ask him: What has he actually done in Congress? What bills has he authored or sponsored that made an impact or even became law? What projects has he worked hard to bring to Zamboanga City’s 1st district? The answer is close to nothing—and now he is trying to blame others for his own failures,” noted Dalipe.

Dalipe, a Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwart, also countered Olaso’s claim that government assistance programs were deliberately withdrawn.

“He is just making excuses. His tirades against the Marcos administration is an insult to the heads of agencies. Government assistance and infrastructure projects are allocated to regions, provinces, and cities based on need, feasibility, and proper submission of proposals. If he cannot show anything for his time in Congress, he has only himself to blame,” said the majority leader.

“Olaso is desperately trying to play the victim because he knows he has nothing to show to the voters. He has no significant achievements, no major projects, and no real impact as a legislator. His failure to fight for his district’s needs is his own doing, and he should stop misleading the people with lies,” he reiterated.

Dalipe called on Olaso to engage in a campaign based on issues, performance, and concrete plans, rather than resorting to finger-pointing and baseless accusations.

“Zamboanga City deserves a leader who works hard, delivers results, and puts the people first—not someone who disappears during important deliberations and then complains when there are no projects to show,” he said.

Dalipe expressed confidence that voters will see through Olaso’s desperation and make the right choice based on performance, not political noise.

“People can see who actually works and who just makes excuses. Instead of whining, Olaso should explain to the people why he has failed them as their congressman,” Dalipe concluded.