Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong revealed the reason why several congressmen were trying to maintain a good relationship with House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In an interview, Magalong revealed the ‘777 scheme,’ under which members of Congress who agreed to accompany Romualdez on his sorties would receive an additional budget for their programs.
He said the lawmakers would receive a P7-M budget for AKAP, Medical Assistance of Indigent Patients (MAIP), and TUPAD.
“Every time na sumama ka sa sortie ni Speaker [Romualdez], every congressman gets 7-7-7 million na AICS or AKAP, 7 million na MAIP, and 7 million na TUPAD, that’s about 21 million,” said Magalong.
“Kung naka-apat ka ba naman na sortie then 21 times is four is eighty four million pesos,” he added.
Magalong also expressed his disappointment as the lawmakers tried to make it appear that they were using their own money when distributing aid to their constituents.
“Akala mo parang pera nila, palalabasin pa nila, ipaparamdam pa nila sa tao na galing sa amin ‘to,” he stated.
P21-B was allocated to the Congress for the AKAP program in the 2025 National Budget.
The mayor feared that the candidates might use the said programs to boost their campaign.
As of writing, Romualdez has yet to give his response to Magalong.