Tensions exploded within the hallowed halls of the Senate as new, shocking revelations surfaced regarding deep-seated, systemic financial impropriety within the nation’s infrastructure spending. The focus of this growing controversy is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), where veteran lawmakers have unearthed evidence suggesting that a colossal amount of money—potentially more than $1 trillion in estimated currency—has been secretly layered onto the national budget, creating an unprecedented level of “fat” within the financial system. This discovery has not only strained relations between the legislature and the executive branch but has forced the newly appointed DPWH Secretary, Mr. Don, to immediately confront what appears to be decades of deeply embedded practices that have severely undermined the nation’s infrastructure and public trust.

The scrutiny was led by Representative Marcoleta, who leveled sharp critique at the department, even noting the apparent stress the young Secretary Don seemed to be under just a month into his term. Marcoleta’s main point of contention was the existence of a massive, unjustified difference between the agency’s proposed budget—the National Expenditure Program (NEP)—and the final amount approved by Congress (the General Appropriations or GA). Using his calculations from previous Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, Marcoleta stated that this difference amounted to an estimated $1 trillion over and above the ceilings initially indicated in the budget plan. This colossal sum is suspected to be the “fat in the system”—money allocated through questionable entries like “allocables,” “unprogrammed funds,” and “DFLRs” that artificially inflate the budget after the initial planning stage, effectively obscuring the true destination and purpose of vast public resources.

Further intensifying the outrage is the shocking disparity in fund allocation across different legislative districts. Marcoleta presented evidence showing that while some districts received allocations as high as $6 billion to $11 billion, other equally deserving districts were restricted to budgets as low as $1 billion or even less. This enormous, unexplained gap in resource distribution led the Representative to demand an immediate justification: how can the nation’s limited resources be allocated so unevenly without a clear, public philosophy? He compared this to the meager $150 million budget typically allotted to a Party List Representative, whose constituency is nationwide, pointing out the stark unfairness and suggesting that the arbitrary allocation of multi-billion peso funds in specific areas is evidence that improper “parking” of funds is taking place outside of legitimate planning processes.

Another major red flag raised during the hearing concerned the crucial Asset Preservation Program (APP), the budget designated for the maintenance and care of existing infrastructure like roads and bridges. Despite a clear trajectory of increasing allocations for the APP between 2022 and 2025 (climbing from $117 billion to $153 billion), the proposed 2026 budget was suddenly slashed to an initial $105 billion, despite being later raised slightly. This sharp decrease defied logic, especially given the clear and visible decline in the quality of the nation’s infrastructure, including recent road collapses. Marcoleta voiced concern that the maintenance of roads and bridges was being neglected, directly pointing to the catastrophic failures of construction materials.

The root cause of these infrastructure failures, Marcoleta contended, lies in the deliberate use of substandard materials, citing the use of low-quality “Rocknet” materials imported from China. He explained that while the DPWH has internal memos requiring high-quality international standards (such as ASTO or ASTM), contractors commonly substitute these specifications with cheaper Chinese imports—materials he described as having the fragility of “a spider’s web.” This fraudulent practice, where expensive, durable materials are contracted but inexpensive, fragile ones are used, results in immediate road erosion, landslides, and the catastrophic failure of structures, such as a recent bridge collapse. The Representative implored the new Secretary to take immediate action, noting that this practice has been a widespread issue for decades.

In response, Secretary Don, only recently appointed, acknowledged the severity of the problems, admitting that he too is discovering widespread issues on the ground, including recent road deterioration in Bukidnon. He accepted the need for immediate change, stating that his direct mandate from the President is to reform and clean up the department, which has suffered from systemic issues for decades. Marcoleta offered several solutions to the Secretary, suggesting that the DPWH must use real-time monitoring technology, such as satellite feeds from the Philippine Space Agency, to prevent local staff from manipulating project photos and coordinates. He also proposed the radical idea of streamlining or even eliminating the engineering districts—the regional offices widely suspected to be the source of many improper financial transactions—because the appointment and removal of District Engineers are often heavily influenced by local politicians, perpetuating the cycle of questionable practices. The hearing concluded with a grim consensus: the systemic issues are decades old, and the new administration must now move with extreme caution and resolve to excise the “fat” from the nation’s budget before another catastrophic failure occurs.