Zubiri denies steering senators’ 2024 infrastructure funds

Philippine Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Wednesday that he did not handle infrastructure projects for other senators in 2024, rejecting claims that lawmakers had sizable project allocations routed through the executive branch.

His denial followed remarks by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who alleged senator-linked funding in the 2024 cycle. Zubiri’s statement comes amid renewed attention to how legislators may influence public works spending beyond the passage of the budget.

Claims tied to 2024 public works allocations Philippine Claims tied to 2024 public works allocations Philippine Senate Majority Leader Bonoan, a former DPWH secretary, had alleged that all senators in 2024 had at least ₱500 million in allocations for infrastructure projects. Zubiri pushed back on the suggestion that he managed project funding for his colleagues. The claim, if substantiated, would imply a mechanism—formal or informal—for distributing public works funds with political sponsorship. Zubiri’s response addresses a recurring issue in Philippine budget politics, where questions often focus on how line items are proposed, amended, and executed once the executive branch implements appropriations. Zubiri’s leadership roles and the scrutiny they attract Zubiri served as Senate president from 2022 to 2024 and now holds the chamber’s majority leadership post. His positions have placed him at the center of legislative coordination, making him a focal point when allegations surface about how lawmakers may shape public works priorities. Infrastructure and public works appropriations remain politically sensitive in the Philippines because they sit at the intersection of local patronage networks, national budget execution, and procurement oversight. As a result, suggestions that senators receive de facto project “allocations” can intensify scrutiny of both executive implementation and legislative influence. Why the dispute matters for contracting and project pipelines The issue also has practical relevance for companies and investors involved in government contracting and project pipelines. Perceptions of politically directed spending can affect bidding behavior, project prioritization, and confidence in procurement safeguards. Those concerns can spill over into the pace Those concerns can spill over into the pace and sequencing of roads, bridges, and flood-control works that support trade and supply chains. However, the source material does not provide documentation confirming the alleged allocations, and Zubiri’s denial directly disputes the account attributed to Bonoan.

Documentation requests and key dates to watch

Attention is likely to center on whether the DPWH, the Department of Budget and Management, or Senate leadership releases documentation clarifying how 2024 infrastructure line items were proposed, amended, and implemented, including any project lists associated with individual senators, by 2026-09-30.

If agencies publish itemized records showing no senator-linked allocations or endorsements, Zubiri’s denial would gain support. If official lists or testimony indicate senator-specific project routing, the issue could trigger additional scrutiny, including calls for hearings or tighter budget rules.