Vice Mayoral candidate Bernie Al-Ag claimed that Davao City might lose its budget from the National Government if the Duterte family won the local elections again.
During a campaign rally held in Davao City, Al-Ag cited the importance of a flood control project to prevent more flooding in their place in the future.
However, a flood control project would cost around P10-B, which would be a challenge to fund, especially without help from the national government.
He claimed that if the Dutertes win the election, they will receive zero budget for their infrastructure projects.
“Kung sila ang manalo [Duterte] wala silang makukuhang budget sa national government,” said Al-Ag.
Al-Ag was confident that if his party, which consisted of Davao City Congressional candidate Migs Nograles and Davao City Mayoral candidate Karlo Nograles, won, the national government would grant them a sufficient budget for the project.
Critics called out Al-Ag, saying that his strategy to make people vote based on the budget that Davao City would receive was unethical.
“The VM Candidate seems to have forgotten—or perhaps deliberately ignores—that Davao City has long proven its ability to stand on its own. As of December 2024, our city proudly remained DEBT-FREE, a testament to disciplined governance and fiscal responsibility. So why, then, is the NATIONAL BUDGET being shamelessly politicized? Instead of offering concrete platforms, actionable programs, or a clear vision for progress, the campaign discussions have been reduced to petty debates over budget allocations—as if Davaoenos are mere beggars waiting for scraps from the national table,” netizen Giever Delyang said.