Manila, Sept. 2 -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday called for a ban on so-called "vanity projects" in the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), saying these non-essential amenities often become avenues for waste and corruption.

Escudero suggested that Malacanang should draw up a "negative list" of projects that would not be entertained and should be vetoed outright by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. if inserted into the General Appropriations Act.

"Babaha ng mga walang kwentang projects kung 'di natin ididetalye kung anu-ano ang dapat ipagbawal na projects. There should be zero budget for zero-benefit projects (There will be a flood of worthless projects if we don't specify what should be proh...