Dennis Gaviola

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176691913649120251219-dpwh-usec-catalina-cabral-HoR.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral attends a probe into flood control programs nationwide, called by the House of Representatives Infrastructure Committee (InfraComm) in Quezon City on September 9, 2025. Handout/House of Representatives" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral attends a probe into flood control programs nationwide, called by the House of Representatives Infrastructure Committee (InfraComm) in Quezon City on September 9, 2025. <em>Handout/House of Representatives</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) - Documents from the camp of the late Public Works Usec. Catalina Cabral and from the agency itself showed at least five Cabinet members had allocables and/or non-allocables amounting to billions in the 2025 budget, Senator Panfilo &quot;Ping&quot; Lacson said on Saturday. </p><p>The Senate President Pro Tempore, in a press release, said on Saturday that even some undersecretaries had allocables in the said budget.</p><p>Lacson said the Cabinet members include one &quot;ES&quot; who had P8.3 billion, and ex-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, whose allocables for 2025 alone amounted to at least P30.5 billion.</p><p>&quot;At least five Cabinet secretaries and some undersecretaries had allocables and/or non-allocables, according to the documents. I was surprised at one entry that said &#x27;ES, P8 billion.&#x27; How did one &#x27;ES&#x27; get allocables?&quot; he asked in a radio interview.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/27/nbi-video-matches-timeline-in-death-of-ex-dpwh-usec-cabral-1017"><strong>NBI video matches timeline in death of ex-DPWH Usec. Cabral</strong></a></div><p>&quot;For Bonoan, I saw his allocables include P5 billion, plus three more batches totaling P25.5 billion, so P30.5 billion in all. What is his right to the allocables? Also, I saw the other Cabinet secretaries getting P2 billion each. Why?&quot;  </p><p>He added that there were also billions for the House leadership and party list groups.</p><p>At least one Cabinet member aside from Bonoan benefited from kickbacks, as former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo indicated he had delivered money to that Cabinet member, said Lacson.</p><p>&quot;Aside from Bonoan, at least one more Cabinet member received kickbacks from Bernardo,&quot; he alleged.</p><p>He said the Cabinet secretaries concerned may be invited to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee&#x27;s probe into anomalous flood control projects once the relevant documents are authenticated, including Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO) dated Dec. 27, 2024.</p><p>Documents received by Lacson from Cabral&#x27;s camp showed the SAROs involved the release of P50 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, of which P30 billion was for flood control projects, many of them were validated to be &quot;ghost projects.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/26/it-is-leviste-s-responsibility-to-prove-authenticity-of-cabral-files-malaca-ang-1521"><strong>It is Leviste’s ‘responsibility to prove authenticity’ of ‘Cabral files’ — Malacañang</strong></a></div><p>Lacson said they can have Budget officer-in-charge Rolando Toledo or the DPWH authenticate the documents.</p><p>Cabral had indicated she was to testify on the SAROs before she died, Lacson noted. </p><p>&quot;The information I got is based on documents given to me by Cabral&#x27;s lawyer and from documents I got from the DPWH. We can have these documents authenticated,&quot; he added.</p><p>&quot;Why should Cabinet secretaries get allocables? I thought the allocables were for lawmakers to request projects for their districts, which to me is still unacceptable because the National Expenditure Program is the exclusive domain of the executive department,&quot; he said.</p><p>Bonoan has yet to issue a statement regarding Lacson&#x27;s allegations.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;SELECTIVE&#x27;</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Lacson said Malacanang should be wary of the perception of being selective - particularly on who to prosecute in connection with the case of anomalous infrastructure projects.</p><p>This is especially in the wake of low trust ratings for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/23/dpwh-surrenders-computer-files-of-cathy-cabral-to-ombudsman-1304"><strong>DPWH surrenders computer, files of Cathy Cabral to Ombudsman</strong></a></div><p>He said that while he sympathizes with the President, he stressed the administration must show it is not selective in fighting corruption.</p><p>Lacson noted at least two ambassadors who made courtesy calls to him recently had asked him pointblank about his views on corruption.</p><p>&quot;One common question they had was about corruption. It is sad because previous courtesy calls focused on the West Philippine Sea and politics. But now it&#x27;s corruption - what can you say about corruption in your country. The questions were direct. It is a shame for our country,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;To be selective on who to prosecute, that is bad and that will not do the country any good,&quot; he added. &quot;The investigation must continue. Jail those who should be jailed.&quot;</p><p>Speaking on Sunday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro assured that if there is evidence against cabinet members, they will be held accountable.</p><p>&quot;Sino man ang masangkot sa mga cabinet members at mayroong mga ebidensya, ipagpatuloy lang po ang pag iimbestiga para matunton ang totoong may sala. Sabi ng Pangulo, kahit sino pa yan, kailangan managot kung sila man ay totoong sangkot,&quot; Castro said in response to Lacson&#x27;s calims.</p><p>&quot;Nasa kamay na po ito ng mga investigating bodies tulad ng Ombudsman o DOJ. Sinuman na may sapat na ebidensya ay maaari itong isumite sa ICI o dumiretso ng pagsasampa ng kaso sa Ombusdman man o sa DOJ,&quot; she added.</p><div> </div>

<p>Documents from the camp of the late Public Works Usec. Catalina Cabral and from the agency itself showed at least five Cabinet members had allocables and/or non-allocables amounting to billions in the 2025 budget, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said on Saturday.</p>

Documents from the camp of the late Public Works Usec. Catalina Cabral and from the agency itself showed at least five Cabinet members had allocables and/or non-allocables amounting to billions in the 2025 budget, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said on Saturday.

Lacson: 'Cabral files' tagged 5 Cabinet secretaries with billions in 'allocables' in 2025 budget

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Lacson: 'Cabral files' tagged 5 Cabinet secretaries with billions in 'allocables' in 2025 budget

ABS-CBN News

Published December 27, 2025 06:32 PM PHT

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Updated December 28, 2025 06:52 PM PHT

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Catalina Cabral

DPWH

Allocables

Anomalous infrastructure projects

Panfilo Lacson

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