As government controversies mount, a lesser-known layer of budgeting exists beneath the visible gaps, a pool of funds quietly controlled by lawmakers, which watchdogs now call a “new pork barrel system.”
Documents obtained by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) show that since 2023, Cebu’s representatives have controlled a combined P83 billion in DPWH-linked allocations.
The total includes P55.77 billion in “allocables” and P27.3 billion in “non-allocables,” budget layers experts say mimic the mechanics of the outlawed pork barrel.
Allocables are district-based budget ceilings embedded inside the DPWH budget. Lawmakers can assign these discretionary funds to projects of their choosing.
The system uses the “BBM Parametric Formula,” short for Baselined, Balanced, and Managed. This mechanism is understood internally only by former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, according to PCIJ.
Data show that Cebu’s First District, led by Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas, received the province’s largest allocable share, P8.33 billion over three years.
Second District Rep. Edsel Galeos received among the lowest, P2.6 billion from 2023 to 2025.
Other sizable allocable totals include P6.05 billion for Third District Rep. PJ Garcia and P5.31 billion for Fourth District Rep. Janice Salimbangon.
Fifth District Rep. Duke Frasco accumulated P6.63 billion, ranking him among the province’s consistently higher recipients.
Sixth District Rep. Daphne Lagon received P3.95 billion, while Seventh District Rep. Peter John Calderon controlled P3.92 billion.
Lawmakers in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue also received multi-billion allocations, ranging from Cutie del Mar’s P4.19 billion to Edu Rama Jr.’s P5.75 billion, Cindi Chan’s P5.23 billion, and Lollipop Ouano-Dizon’s P3.76 billion.
Beyond allocables, PCIJ highlights a larger pool of discretionary influence.
These non-allocables were originally meant for DPWH’s core projects beyond Congress’ control.
Former public works officials told PCIJ that these funds have become a “free-for-all,” where both legislators and the executive branch make massive insertions.
Cebu’s numbers illustrate the scale. The Seventh District alone saw P10.3 billion in non-allocable projects for 2025. Other districts posted billions more, including P5.62 billion for the First District and P2.11 billion for the Second.
Even highly urbanized cities received hefty non-allocable allocations.
Critics say the current setup revives pork barrel practices under new terminology and processes.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson warned that “allocables” are simply pork under a new name, placed into the budget before specific projects are identified.
The scheme sidelines the Regional Development Council, which should evaluate and rank projects based on need.
Instead, district engineers now coordinate directly with lawmakers, presenting menus of projects within their ceiling budgets.
In effect, the government sets how much each district receives, but lawmakers decide where the money goes. (SBA)
Thumbnail Photo by Jacq Hernandez
