Manila, March 27 -- Malacanang on Thursday challenged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to substantiate his claim that the 2025 national budget was being used as an "election fund."

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said it would be "better" if Magalong provided her the evidence so she could take a look into the issues surrounding the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

"Ginagalang po natin ang pananaw ni Mayor Magalong, pero mas maganda po sana kung magsasalita po siya ay nandiyan na, nakahain na po ang mga ebidensiya na ito ay nagamit sa election fund (We respect Mayor Magalong's view, but it would have been better if he made the claim with a...