Manila, Sept. 2 -- Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday and Senate Committee on Finance chair Sherwin Gatchalian will work with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to realign at least PHP51.82 billion in questionable "distinct" insertions under the proposed 2026 national budget.

Lacson flagged the lump-sum allocations, which he described as vague and potentially prone to misuse, during a briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

He noted that the items included multiple entries for flood management programs in Metro Manila and Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), and 3 (Central Luzon) with identical costs but lacking specific project details.

"Sen....