MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday said that the issue on the P5-million Marawi rehabilitation fund was not about whether religion is more important than housing.

“It is about technical malversation,” he said.

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Lacson issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte defended the use of the rehabilitation fund for the pilgrimage of some displaced residents to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

READ: Duterte backs use of Marawi rehab fund to Mecca trip: ‘Ano ba naman ‘yang P5M?‘

“It is not a question of which is more important between religion and housing,” Lacson said on Twitter.

“It is about technical malversation.. (c) the public use for which the public funds or property were applied is different from the purpose for which they were originally appropriated by law or ordinance,” the senator added.

It is not a question of which is more important between religion and housing. It is about technical malversation… (c) the public use for which the public funds or property were applied is different from the purpose for which they were originally appropriated by law or ordinance — PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 7, 2019

The Commission on Audit (COA) earlier asked the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to return the funds allegedly used for the trip.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he would ask the HUDCC “to explain” the allegation. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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READ: HUDCC may face malversation raps over Marawi fund diversion

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