CABRAL ALLEGES ZALDY CO OVERRIDED PARAMETRIC FORMULA IN DPWH BUDGETS

Former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral reportedly told her lawyer that the parametric formula she prepared—intended to allocate district budgets based on population, poverty, and historical data—was overridden by House leadership, with adjustments allegedly sent from then-Rep. Zaldy Co’s office. Cabral explained that while the “NEP computed” figures reflected the formula’s reduced allocations, the House restored amounts to prior-year levels under “NEP restored”, effectively negating the formula. She also disclosed a separate Senate and House leadership fund, favoring districts of former leaders Martin Romualdez and Sandro Marcos, and noted that past budget allocations under prior secretaries were based on either project needs or previous General Appropriations Act figures. The whereabouts of the so-called “Cabral files”, containing documents on annual DPWH budgets, remain unknown following Cabral’s death on Dec. 19, 2025, and agencies have yet to verify the copies obtained by Rep. Leandro Leviste. Cabral’s revelations highlight alleged budget manipulation and legislative interference in DPWH allocations, raising questions for ongoing investigations by the Ombudsman.