Budget Weaponized vs Political Opponents - Zamboanga Rep

A congressman in Zamboanga City has accused the administration of weaponizing the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) against political opponents, saying that a P1-billion allocation for nationally funded infrastructure projects was removed from his district due to his decision to run against a close ally of the House leadership.

- With Daphne Galvez

First District Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso claimed that the removal of these projects has deprived thousands of his constituents of essential government services, effectively punishing his bid for the mayoral race.

The funding was originally included in the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineering Office 2 under the National Expenditure Program approved by President Marcos.

However, Olaso stated that all 26 infrastructure projects earmarked for his district were subsequently removed from the final version of the 2025 GAA following his filing of candidacy last October against Second District Rep. and House majority leader Manuel Jose Dalipe.

Among the projects scrapped were flood control structures and road-widening initiatives aimed at improving farm access and boosting eco-tourism.

"As much as I want to defend the funding that was included under the national expenditure program during the plenary I can not because I would not be given the chance by the majority leader," Olaso said at a briefing Thursday.

Olaso claimed that Speaker Martin Romualdez had urged him not to pursue his mayoral bid and to allow Dalipe to run unchallenged.