Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday, October 28, revealed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) diverted at least ₱50 billion from unprogrammed appropriations in the 2024 national budget for various infrastructure projects, including ₱30 billion for flood control works.
Lacson said the diversions showed how DPWH officials had grown “comfortable” with disregarding the government’s master plan for infrastructure, as he alleged collusion between some lawmakers and department officials in realigning funds across districts.
“Public funds were abused because of the collusion between some lawmakers and DPWH officials,” Lacson said in a DZBB radio interview.
“They gave the DPWH even bigger funds than the education sector, and in 2025, they continued this practice until it exploded in our faces.”
The senator said he was encouraged by reforms being implemented by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to align projects with the national master plan, and by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian’s policy of rejecting project proposals that do not conform with that plan.
He added that Dizon’s efforts represent “a welcome departure” from the past practice of arbitrary substitutions and funding diversions.
Lacson warned, however, that the DPWH’s continued habit of altering budget items is a form of technical malversation.
“When we pass the budget bill, everything is itemized. If you make changes there, that is already technical malversation even if you have not stolen anything yet,” he said. “Appropriations for a particular item must be properly spent. If not, the funds should go to savings.”
Turning to the 2026 budget deliberations, Lacson said the Senate would insist on deleting about ₱42 billion in “ayuda” or social assistance funds that the House of Representatives placed under unprogrammed appropriations. He said such items should instead be part of the regular budget.
“We expect a long discussion in the bicameral conference committee, but senators agreed that ayuda funds cannot be in the unprogrammed appropriations,” he told One News.
Lacson, long known for his detailed scrutiny of national budgets, also commended Gatchalian for uncovering questionable items and red flags during committee hearings.
“He did his homework. His scrutiny exposed anomalies,” Lacson said, noting that he has been monitoring the hearings online while recovering from surgery.
