Senator Lacson likens misuse of 'allocable' funds to attempted robbery

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson on Saturday compared to attempted robbery the misuse of "allocables", particularly those motivated by commissions and kickbacks.

Lacson emphasized the importance of a thorough review by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee into the files left behind by the late Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.

"If you submit a 'wish list' or allocables even if you have no assurance that it will be included in the final version of the General Appropriations Act... and if your motive is to collect commissions, then it may be likened to attempted, or at the very least, planned robbery," he said during an interview on DZMM radio.

“Allocable” funds are budgetary allocations included in the national budget—specifically within the DPWH budget in this case—that give lawmakers a discretionary spending ceiling. These lawmakers can later decide which specific projects to fund, often before the projects themselves have been clearly defined.

In contrast to standard line-item budgeting, where funding follows a clearly defined project, allocables set aside money first and let project specifics be determined afterward, giving politicians greater influence over how the funds are used.

He clarified that there is no issue when lawmakers request funding for projects that are properly studied and part of their commitment to constituents, but cautioned that such requests should not occur while the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is still being formulated.

Citing his own practice, Lacson noted that his institutional amendments to the budget bill were based on vetted requests from concerned agencies or realignments made under his oversight functions.

"For a congressman or senator to dip fingers into the NEP, that can be likened to attempted robbery if the intention for the allocables is to get commissions," he said, adding, "Legislators have no say in the listing of projects in the NEP. The work of Congress is to introduce amendments to the NEP after it is submitted to Congress."

Among the documents the Blue Ribbon Committee expects to review at its hearing on Monday, Jan. 19, are the so-called "Cabral files." Lacson said he will request the DPWH representatives at the hearing to authenticate these documents, including those in his and other individuals’ possession.

The Cabral Files, released in late 2025, reportedly contain budget information from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), detailing projects and funds allocated to various legislative districts from 2023 to 2026. Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste made the documents public on December 24, 2025, saying he obtained them from the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral.

He added, "I will apply fairness - any document the DPWH does not authenticate, including those in my possession, will not be made part of the Blue Ribbon Committee's records."

-Paraluman News