Manila: A Senate panel is pushing for reforms in the national budget, including a ban on 'allocables' and the so-called leadership fund, following its investigation into anomalous flood control projects. Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday these are among the key recommendations emerging from the panel's ongoing investigation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson described allocables as a form of 'new pork barrel,' noting that these allow funding of projects even before they are identified. He said initial findings showed that in the 2025 national budget, House leadership had at least PHP143.5 billion in allocables, while party-list groups and even some non-legislators also had access to such funds.

The leadership fund, meanwhile, allows lawmakers to introduce proposals into the National Expenditure Program (NEP), a move Lacson said violates the budget process since the NEP is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the executive branch. Aside from budget reforms, Lacson said the panel is also recommending expanded powers for the Office of the Ombudsman, including the creation of its own law enforcement arm and the authority to deputize private lawyers, subject to screening.

He said the committee's hearings have contributed to ongoing investigations by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as cases being heard at the Sandiganbayan. 'Hello, anong walang nagawa? Katakot takot na ang nagawa namin. karamihan ng evidence na nagamit. nanggaling sa Blue Ribbon (Hello, did the Blue Ribbon really achieve nothing? We have achieved much. most of the evidence used came from the Blue Ribbon),' Lacson said.

He added the panel is seeking additional signatures to finalize its partial report for plenary discussion. The Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendations form part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the national budget process.