Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste has publicly released a detailed list of infrastructure and development projects funded under the allocable budget of the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), drawing information from what he described as the “Cabral files.” The disclosure has sparked renewed discussion on transparency and the role of lawmakers in the national budgeting process.
According to Rep. Leviste, the total allocable budget in the 2025 NEP amounts to approximately ₱401 billion. These funds, he explained, are subject to amendment by members of the House of Representatives and are distributed across various regions and congressional districts nationwide. The allocable budget largely covers projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including roads, bridges, flood control systems, and other public infrastructure initiatives.
Leviste emphasized that the funds are intended strictly for projects and not for individual proponents or lawmakers. He said making the project list public is a step toward greater accountability in the use of government resources. “Ang mga budget na ito ay ginagamit ng DPWH para sa mga proyekto, at hindi po para sa proponent. Naniniwala ako na mabuting makita ng taumbayan ang mga proyektong nakalaan para sa kanilang distrito para sa transparency sa paggamit ng pondo ng gobyerno,” the lawmaker said.
By releasing the documents, Leviste said citizens can now better understand how much funding is potentially allocated to their respective districts and what types of projects are being prioritized. He added that public access to such information empowers communities to monitor implementation and question delays, cost overruns, or changes in project scope.
The list covers projects across multiple regions, reflecting a wide range of development needs—from major national highways and regional road networks to local flood mitigation and public facility improvements. While the complete breakdown runs into hundreds of pages, Leviste noted that each entry specifies the project type, location, and proposed funding level under the 2025 budget proposal.
The release of the “Cabral files” comes amid ongoing debates over alleged insertions and last-minute amendments in the national budget. Advocates of budget reform have long called for clearer documentation and easier public access to spending proposals to prevent misuse of funds and ensure equitable development.
Leviste said he hopes the disclosure sets a precedent for openness in the budget process, encouraging both lawmakers and government agencies to proactively share information. “Kapag malinaw ang datos, mas nagiging matibay ang tiwala ng taumbayan,” he added.
The full list of projects, as released by Rep. Leviste, is now available to the public for review, scrutiny, and discussion.