Cong. Jil Bongalon
HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list has dismissed as “fake news” the allegations that he was involved in the supposed diversion of funds meant for a Bicol district, calling it a baseless and politically motivated attack.
Bongalon dared his accusers to bring the matter to court and prove their claims.
“That’s why I challenge her to go to the court and prove that Cong. Jil Bongalon diverted that particular fund,” Bongalon told reporters in a press conference Wednesday.
“I, together with Cong. Zaldy (Co), have already issued the official statement about it. But in addition to that, in so far as I am concerned, unang-una, kung sino man ‘yung nag-aakusa, ‘yun po ‘yung may burden of proof. Ibig sabihin, ‘yun dapat ‘yung may obligasyon na magpatunay,” Bongalon said.
The allegations surfaced when Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman accused Bongalon and fellow Ako Bicol lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co of reallocating funds earmarked for Albay’s first district to projects allegedly benefiting Co’s family properties.
He denounced what he described as a smear campaign against him ahead of the elections.
“So it means that, of course, election season, nagsisimula na naman ‘yung siraan. That’s why I appeal to the one who wrote that statement na hindi man lang kinuha ‘yung side ko. It was a one-sided news article na hindi man lang nag-effort na kuhanin yung akin pong panig,” he said.
Bongalon challenged those making the claims to present actual evidence, pointing out that there is nothing to support the accusations.
“Now, my question is, asan po ‘yung kanyang ebidensiya na ako po nakialam, nagtapyas, at nag-divert ng pondo para sa 1st District of Albay? In other words, wala hong basehan. It was a false accusation, and in fact, itong malicious accusation against me, sa anong rason? Probably, politika. Para siraan po tayo,” he added.
Bongalon also questioned the timing of the accusations, noting that the General Appropriations Act (GAA) was released months ago without any such claims being raised.
“Marami na po siyang interviews na ginawa na kung saan lumipas na ang buwan ng Enero at by that time, alam na natin lumabas na ‘yung General Appropriations Act. It was already uploaded before the official website of the Department of Budget and Management. Pero during those times, January, February, never naman na-mentioned yung pangalan ko,” he said.
The lawmaker emphasized that those questioning the budget should have followed the proper channels instead of making public accusations without proof.
“Dapat nagsulat sana sila sa House leadership and ask ano po nangyari sa budget ng 1st District of Albay. Kumbaga, let’s do it through a proper channel. Don’t just accuse someone, several months have already elapsed, tapos babanggitin mo lang yung pangalan ko dahil magkalaban kami sa politika. I think that’s not fair,” he stressed.
Bongalon also noted that the late Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who was present during budget deliberations, never questioned the allocations for the district.
“May mga interviews kasi si Mayor Krisel na sinasabi niya, Congressman Edcel Lagman was attending session via online and all of us, knowing Cong. Edcel, alam natin na hindi yan nagpapahuli sa mga diskusyon dito sa Kongreso. Ano man ang mga issue, ano man ang mga usapin, hindi po nagpapahuli si Cong. Edcel Lagman,” Bongalon said.
He pointed out that the budget is a product of deliberations between the House of Representatives and the Senate, making it impossible for one lawmaker to manipulate allocations.
“The budget was signed before the end of 2024, Congressman Edcel Lagman was still present. So bakit isisisi sa akin, as in, at bigyan yung obligasyon para depensahan yung budget ng ibang Kongresista?” he said.
Bongalon also rejected claims that he should have defended the district’s budget, saying he was focused on advocating projects for the Ako Bicol party-list.
“The last time I checked, I am a representative of party-list Ako Bicol. Yung constituency ko, six provinces. At the last time I checked, meron pong Congressman sa 1st District of Albay,” he said.