Puno: Sandro Marcos resolves slow DBM action on infra projects’ funding
MANILA, Philippines — Issues raised by the National Unity Party (NUP) regarding the national government’s alleged refusal to download funds for key infrastructure projects have been resolved after talking to Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said on Thursday.
Puno said this after being asked by INQUIRER whether he was able to listen to the speech of House of Representatives Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Wednesday night, where the latter called out the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for its slow work on the release of funds — and whether he was satisfied with this response.
In reply, Puno said their concerns were resolved prior to Dy’s speech through Marcos’ efforts.
“Actually, the problems we raised regarding the DBM, were mostly already resolved, prior to the speech of the Speaker, through the efforts and the action of Majority Leader Sandro Marcos,” Puno said.
According to Puno, NUP which he chairs is now engaged in “constructive dialogue” with Marcos to address the concerns of several lawmakers.
“NUP is now engaged in continuing constructive dialogue with the Majority Leader to address concerns of the various NUP District Representatives throughout the country,” Puno noted.
Last Monday, Puno said that he is dissatisfied with Dy’s leadership, saying that several NUP members are mulling a move to the Minority bloc.
Puno in a press briefing held at his office said that their dissatisfaction stems from Dy’s alleged inaction on the DBM’s decision to mark allocations for key projects as “for later release” or FLR.
The Deputy Speaker said he thinks Dy has been apprised of the situation, but has neither informed House members nor presented a solution for the issue.
READ: Puno dissatisfied with Dy, says NUP considering move to minority
Among the programs affected, Puno said, are infrastructure projects and dole-out programs under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program, and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.
The Deputy Speaker also stressed back then that the DBM has not given any explanation — whether it be the lower revenue collections or whatsoever — on why it has failed to download funds.
In response to Puno’s grievances, Dy on Monday assured his colleagues in the chamber that his door is always open for any form of dialogue, saying that Congress’ strength lies in their ability to “resolve concerns constructively.”
Right after, Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez also released a statement, saying that while they acknowledge the concerns raised by some NUP members, release of the budget and other matters relating to project implementation are matters out of their hands.
READ: House aware of NUP’s concern, but says budget release out of their hands
Then on Wednesday, before session adjourned, Dy called DBM, asking them to do their job amid these claims of the agency being slow to release funds. According to Dy, the passage of a good budget bill will go to waste if it is not implemented properly by the DBM.
“Laws that are not implemented remain to be a mere worthless paper, just like how efforts that do not reach the people equate to insincere service. Even if the budget that was passed is good, it will mean nothing if the resources do not reach the people on time,” he said.
“That’s why to our friends at the DBM, please do your work properly. Please move faster. Do your duty so that the programs that will address the current needs of our fellow Filipinos from different regions will be implemented properly and immediately,” he added.
READ: Dy hits DBM: Do your job, good budget meaningless if unimplemented
According to Dy, it is clear that lawmakers are “ready and willing to pass the laws and provide the funds for the programs” that are needed to address the needs of the public. However, he said the House also needs to ensure that the funds allocated will reach its intended beneficiaries on time.
Dy’s rant on DBM is the first time that the Speaker was seen critical of a particular agency or personality. He did not mention what prompted him to make such statements, but these came on the heels of Puno’s statements.
While this is the first time that Puno has spoken about Dy’s leadership, there were rumors in the past that there is a rift between the two House leaders. Late November 2025, several lawmakers from different blocs signed a manifesto expressing support for Dy — just two months after he was elected Speaker.
However, several observers believe that the manifestos came out as Dy may be replaced. Different names have been floated as Dy’s successor, but columnist Mon Tulfo previously said that the next speaker may be Puno. /jpv
