Malacañang challenged former Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson to present proof that the Convergence and Special Support Program (CSSP) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was being used for scams and anomalous projects.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement in response to the statement made by Singson in a private event last week that the P1.1-trillion CSSP from 2022 to 2024 was used by lawmakers for project insertions.
She said critics like Singson should present proof that there was such irregularity.
‘This would ensure their message to the public is more constructive, rather than leaving us constantly hanging on the notion that it could be used for scams or theft; that is not a good message to convey,’ Castro.
Singson served as head of the DPWH during the administration of former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III. President Ferdinand Marcos appointed him as a member of the now defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which was tasked to look into flood control project anomalies.
Castro also criticized why Singson only flagged the CSSP from 2022 to 2024 even if the program already existed before the Marcos administration.
‘In fact, convergence programs did not begin under the Marcos administration, Marcos Jr. administration. The approach has existed for more than a decade, including the tenure of former Secretary Rogelio Singson,’ she said, quoting the Department of Budget and Management.
‘As early as 2012, government records already referred to the DOT [Department of Tourism], DPWH convergence program on enhancing tourism access, which supported the construction and improvement of roads, leading to tourism destinations,’ she added.
The fund, the Presidential Communications Office undersecretary said, intended to allow DPWH to provide the infrastructure requirements of programs being undertaken with other government agencies.
‘Over the years, this has included access roads and other infrastructures supporting tourism, agriculture, education, health, national security, industries, airports, seaports and other national priorities,’ Castro said.
‘It is therefore inaccurate to portray CSSP as a newly discovered or previously undisclosed public works budget,’ she added.
Castro made the statement days after President Ferdinand Marcos and his economic managers denied they have knowledge of the leadership fund arrangement between former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan with senators.
Bonoan claimed that each senator got at least P500 million from the said ‘leadership fund’ in 2025, which can be used for their ‘priority projects.’
The former DPWH chief is now facing graft and plunder related to the use of infrastructure funds.