MANILA — The National Unity Party (NUP) is considering exiting the majority bloc in the House of Representatives, citing frustration over delayed infrastructure and social protection fund releases under the national budget.

NUP chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo City said Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III has not acted on the non-release of funds for their districts. According to Puno, most public works projects are tagged for “later release” (FLR), leaving regions and districts without the necessary funds to bid out projects.

“Lahat ng public works projects pala ngayon are for later release or FLR. So walang pondo para sa mga regions at districts ng para i-bid out ‘yung mga projects. We were told that the projects should be bid out first and if there is a winning bid, then that is the time for the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) to issue a SARO (Special Allotment Release Order) to the corresponding district and the regional director [of the Department of Public Works and Highways],” Puno said.

He added that, despite his long-standing friendship with Dy, the Speaker “is not doing what he’s supposed to do” and that meetings without actionable solutions are futile. “If we are going to meet for chit chats with no solution on the table, then no, thanks. That is why we are considering joining the Minority bloc instead,” he said.

Puno said the delayed release of funds affects constituents who are not responsible for administrative delays. “Nothing is moving on the construction [of projects] in the country. For the life of me, I cannot understand this policy. If your [tax] collections went down by 30%, you reduce the budget of agencies by 30%. But to declare everything for later release and bringing everything to zero, at the very least, is improper and repudiation of laws passed relative to the budget,” he added.

The NUP chairman also denied allegations that the party is favoring Vice President Sara Duterte and her family, amid criticism over its refusal to back a weak impeachment complaint against her. Puno said evidence would guide their stance on impeachment.

“We will look at the evidence. If the evidence is strong, we will support the impeachment. If not, we won’t [support it]. Mali bang magsabi na dapat matibay ang kaso para hindi na itapon sa Senado?” Puno said, referencing the 2025 impeachment case that was eventually archived by the Senate of the Philippines.

He noted that Supreme Court rulings in July 2025 and January 2026 declared the impeachment case unconstitutional, though these decisions did not address the merits of the allegations against the Vice President.