Manila, Aug. 17 -- The alleged "leadership fund" at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was never authorized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. or his economic team, was not part of his instructions to former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and was not included in the approved national budget, Malacanang said Monday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos personally told her that he never discussed such a fund with Bonoan, who earlier testified about the alleged arrangement involving lawmakers from both houses of Congress and DPWH projects.

"Sinabi po niya na wala talaga itong pinag-usapan (He said that this was never discussed at all)," Castro said.

The clarification came after Bonoan's testimony and af...