In a move that has sent ripples through the Philippine political landscape, Batangas Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has officially released documents detailing the district-by-district allocations for the 2025 infrastructure budget. These files were reportedly entrusted to him by the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral before her mysterious passing.
The Breakdown of the P1 Trillion Infrastructure Budget
The documents, which Leviste shared via his official Facebook page, provide a granular look at how the 2025 National Expenditures Program (NEP) evolved into the final General Appropriations Act (GAA). According to Leviste, the data highlights a total of P401.3 billion in “allocables”—the yearly funding that district congressmen can influence.
However, the lawmaker clarified that while names of representatives appear alongside district totals, they are not necessarily the sole proponents. He noted that the total DPWH budget soared to P1.041 trillion due to “outside allocables” from other proponents.
“I released this because it is good for the public to know the contents of the DPWH budget so they can be proud of our projects,” Leviste stated, adding that he hopes his colleagues understand his commitment to transparency.
Top Recipients: Mindoro and Metro Manila
The leaked documents reveal stark differences in regional funding. Nationwide, Mindoro Island emerged as a primary beneficiary:
- Occidental Mindoro (Rep. Leody Tarriela): P20.99 billion
- Oriental Mindoro (Rep. Arnan Panaligan): P20.79 billion
Within Metro Manila, the allocations showed significant variance. Taguig-Pateros (Rep. Ricardo Cruz Jr.) received the highest at P6.433 billion, while Makati (former Rep. Luis Campos Jr.) saw the lowest at P829.2 million.
Controversy and the “Cabral List”
The release comes amid heightened scrutiny following the death of Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, who was found dead near Kennon Road in Benguet last week. Public interest in her files intensified after rumors circulated that the documents contained evidence relevant to ongoing infrastructure corruption probes.
The disclosure also follows a heated exchange between Leviste and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon. While Ridon pressured Leviste to publish the list, Leviste alleged that Ridon had his own “insertions”—a claim Ridon vehemently denied, pointing out that the 2025 budget was drafted before his return to the House.
As of today, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has yet to confirm the authenticity of the documents. Nevertheless, the publication of the “Cabral List” ensures that the discussion on fiscal transparency will remain a central theme in the 2025 legislative session.