BY WENDELL VIGILIA

MALACAÑANG is dangling pork barrel fund releases to opposition congressmen in exchange for seeing to it that Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig-Pateros does not make to the Magic 12.

A source from the administration said the offers were relayed by "emissaries" of President Arroyo.

"That’s how bad Malacañang wants Alan’s head," the source said.

Cayetano earned the ire of the First Family over his claims last August 2006 that some of its members were hiding a multi-million bank account at the Hypovereins Bank in Germany.

The House committee on ethics recommended his suspension for 45 days for improper conduct. But the plenary failed to get on the recommendation for lack of quorum during the final session days leading to adjournment last February.

An opposition congressman confirmed he was offered P40 million worth of pork barrel.

"He’s (Cayetano) an ally. Why will I do that? I just need to play their (administration) game so that my constituents could get what is rightfully theirs. Bahala na ang tao kung sino ang kanilang napupusuang iboto," the congressman said.

Cayetano said the administration’s "dirty tactics are nothing new."

"That’s expected, I’m not surprised. Ipinauubaya ko na lamang sa mga tao at sa Diyos ang lahat. Ang mga botante na ang huhusga," he said.

Cayetano blamed Malacañang as behind the senatorial candidacy of Joselito "Peter" Cayetano in a bid to sow confusion among the electorate.

The Comelec on Tuesday declared Joselito as a "nuisance" candidate saying his P10,000 salary as clerk is not enough to enable him to mount a nationwide campaign.

Team Unity candidate Michael Defensor, a former presidential chief of staff, said the President would never resort to such tactics.

"I don’t think the President will do that," he said.