Senator Imee Marcos admitted that she and several among her colleagues have “entrusted” their e-signatures to the 2024 budget measure that contained budgetary provision for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

Originating from the Lower House, the AKAP program aims to distribute one-time PHP5,000 to 12 million Filipinos who are categorized as near poor.

The budget and program is not included in the National Expenditure Program that the Marcos administration proposed as its budget for 2024.

Senators have aired suspicions that AKAP funds will be used for political purposes, including the guarantee of success for the highly questionable People’s Initiative campaign linked to Lower House leaders.

“Kinukuha ang aming mga e-signature tapos sila na naglalapag sa final version. Hindi ko naman alam na kung ano-anong insertions (ang inilagay). Nagtiwala naman kami na walang kalokohan,” Marcos stated after being reminded by congressmen that the AKAP funding had her imprimatur.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said there is a need to introduce more stringent rules in the passage of the annual budget of the government.

Pimentel described the current budget process as “rotten.”

“Napakabulok ang sistema natin sa pagpasa ng budget. Kulang na kulang sa transparency,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros supported the views aired by Marcos and Pimentel, saying that ensuring transparency in the budget process is urgent.