NILINAW ni Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong nitong Martes ang kanyang pahayag sa isang televised interview, at sinabing ang panukalang pambansang badyet para sa 2026 ay walang pork barrel funds at nananatiling ganap na naka-itemize.

Ayon kay Adiong, ang vice chairperson ng House committee on appropriations, layunin ng paglilinaw na ito na bigyan ng buong konteksto ang kanyang komento sa programang “The Big Story” na ipinalabas ng One News noong Disyembre 22.

“I wish to make it clear that I did not confirm the presence of pork in the 2026 General Appropriations Bill,” ani Adiong. “Within the context of the longer clip, I in fact stated the opposite.”

Ipinaliwanag niya na ang usapan ay tumalakay sa pangamba ng publiko hinggil sa pork barrel funds, na kanyang kinilala bago ipinaliwanag kung paano binuo ang badyet para sa 2026.

“As I was interrupted while giving my answer on the budget deliberations, my train of thought remained squarely on those deliberations,” aniya.

“In responding with a ‘Yes,’ I was merely recognizing the host’s interjection and the people’s apprehension regarding ‘pork’ in the budget,” dagdag niya.

Ipinaliwanag niya pagkatapos kung ano ang tinutukoy ng pork barrel funds, pahayag ni Adiong.

“If you notice, immediately after that point, I described what pork barrel funds are in general, which are lump sum funds,” aniya. “Thereafter followed by a clear and distinct ‘but’ then immediately described the 2026 budget, from NEP to bill, as one composed entirely of line-by-line appropriations.”

Muli niyang binigyang-diin na walang lump-sum allocations ang panukalang badyet.

“The National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress is composed entirely of line-by-line appropriations, with specific projects, purposes, and implementing agencies clearly identified,” saad ni Adiong.

Binigyang-diin din niya na ang badyet ay dumaan sa masusing pagsusuri sa proseso ng lehislatura.

“As the longer portion of the exchange shows, the budget was subjected to rigorous scrutiny throughout the legislative process,” aniya. “All adjustments were limited to increases or decreases within existing line items and were openly deliberated upon by Congress.”

“The 2026 National Budget is therefore not a pork barrel budget, nor does it contain pork barrel appropriations, as it fully complies with constitutional standards of transparency, specificity, and accountability,” giit pa niya.

Sinabi ni Adiong na nakikipag-ugnayan ang kanyang opisina sa One News upang matiyak na ang buong konteksto ng talakayan ay maipakita sa mga pampublikong post, bilang pagpapatibay sa pangako ng House of Representatives sa transparency at pananagutan sa publiko.