Lacson: 5 Cabinet secs had billions in allocables in 2025 budget

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson revealed that at least five Cabinet secretaries possessed billions in "allocables" within the 2025 national budget, citing documents from the late DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

Among those identified was former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, allegedly with P30.5 billion in allocables for 2025.

Lacson pointed to an entry indicating P8.3 billion allocated to an official identified as "ES," which he believed referred to the Executive Secretary.

However, former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denied having any allocables, expressing outrage at the insinuation and stating he did not authorize any projects or budget allocations.

Bersamin called for a thorough investigation into the "Cabral files" or "DPWH leaks," citing concerns about the budget process.

These secretaries may be summoned by the Senate blue ribbon committee to explain their involvement once the documents are authenticated.