Abad: Not me calling

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad. INQUIRER.net file photo

The department of Budget and Management has warned local government officials and the public to be wary of people posing as Budget Secretary Florencio Abad or representatives of the DBM and demanding kickbacks in exchange for the release of supposed project funds.

Abad on Sunday urged the officials and the public to “be vigilant against impersonators and potential fraud.”

“Please reach out to my office or your DBM officials if you have received phone calls of this nature,” he said.

In a statement, Abad said “fraudulent phone calls are being made to various LGUs and members of the public.”

“These callers have either been posing as me or as DBM representatives. They always ask for kickbacks or payment in exchange for fund releases,” he said.

Reports reaching the budget agency said that among the local governments whose mayors were approached by the poseurs were those in Compostela Valley, Camarines Sur, Aurora and Dinagat Island.–Jerry E. Esplanada