MANILA — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday firmly denied what he described as “baseless and malicious” allegations made by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste concerning supposed national budget insertions, commonly referred to as “allocables.”
Dizon’s statement came after Leviste claimed to have received information alleging that the Cabinet official was behind questionable budget insertions and irregularities linked to a flood control project under the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which Dizon previously headed.
The Public Works chief pointed out that the BCDA has already clarified it has no flood control projects funded through budget insertions, so-called allocable funds, or any form of discretionary financing.
“Any claims of ‘allocable’ or discretionary funding for such purposes are baseless and false,” Dizon said.
He also questioned the timing of Leviste’s allegations, saying these surfaced shortly after reports emerged from within the Department of Public Works and Highways accusing the lawmaker of forcibly and illegally obtaining files belonging to the late Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.