DAVAO City Councilor and vice mayoral candidate Bernie Al-ag clarified that his recent "zero funding" statement, which went viral online, specifically referred to the lack of appropriations for projects.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Al-ag explained that when he fell out of favor with Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and was removed from the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL), his office no longer received development funds.
“I’m referring to the projects you can access from higher levels of government. For example, if you’re a barangay captain, you get funds from the mayor; if you’re a councilor, you get them from the mayor, and so on. It’s the same across local government units or districts,” he said.
Al-ag clarified that having a completely zero budget is unlikely, but it is possible to lack additional funding for development projects. He said that while their office still receives an operational budget by law, he was unable to access development funds due to his strained relationship with the mayor.
He further noted that mayors or congressmen not in good standing with the national government might also face difficulties securing extra projects. However, operational funds from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) are guaranteed by law.
Al-ag had previously stated during a campaign rally that if the Dutertes were re-elected, Davao might not receive a budget from the national government. He stressed that the city needs at least P10 billion to address its flooding problems and that new leadership could make this possible.
His statement sparked widespread online discussion, leading Al-ag to issue a clarification. He explained that his remark referred to the lack of funding for extra projects, highlighting how political differences affect the flow of national funds to local government units (LGUs).
Al-ag called for an end to the conflict between the national government and Davao's LGU, stating that Dabawenyos are the ones who suffer. He stressed that while the Dutertes and the Marcoses may be at odds, it's the delivery of essential services that is impacted.
As public officials, he said, it is their duty to secure funding for the city. Despite the challenges, Al-ag vowed to continue advocating for Dabawenyos' needs, ensuring that they receive the necessary funds and services, whether from the national or local government.
Al-ag also pointed out that councilors’ roles go beyond legislation, as they are also responsible for community development and responding to the needs of their constituents with project funds from their office budgets.
The Duterte camp has not yet commented on Al-ag’s statement. RGP