MANILA—Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson flagged at least P51.82 billion worth of vague, “distinct” insertions in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), targeting them for realignment to programs aligned with the Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan.

Lacson said the questionable allocations were for flood management programs in Metro Manila and Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), and 3 (Central Luzon).

“Sen. Gatchalian and I want to remove these vague entries in the NEP. It seems those who inserted these items plan to make them ghost projects. We could not identify who inserted them,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DZRH radio.

He added that the plan is to redirect the funds to projects identified by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) consistent with national development priorities.

At the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing, Lacson detailed the flagged items, which included:

• 88 items with P150 million each, totaling P13.2 billion
• 373 items with P100 million each, totaling P37.3 billion
• 11 items with P120 million each, totaling P1.32 billion

In his Aug. 20 privilege speech, Lacson described such budget items with identical contract costs as “distinct,” a coded system that indicates ownership of projects. Many of the items lacked proper stationing, which he warned could signal ghost projects.

“When we amend the budget bill, we intend to realign these items to those in accordance with the Philippine medium term development plan… Our plan is to remove these items because they are too vague,” Lacson said.

He proposed an executive session for senators to decide which programs to fund, noting Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman will coordinate with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on the matter.

“When contractors invade Congress and lawmakers invade the construction business, this is the outcome. The DPWH allows them to make insertions in the NEP,” Lacson added.

He warned that such insertions result in a “quadruple whammy” for Filipinos because they appear in the NEP, the House and Senate versions of the budget bill, and in the bicameral conference committee. Pangandaman agreed with his assessment.

Lacson also urged Malacañang and the DBM to ask the DPWH about its early involvement in the insertions, citing Senate minority leader Vicente Sotto III’s experience. Sotto’s staff was contacted by a DPWH representative offering to insert items into the NEP, but Sotto declined.