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SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST 2025: ANGARA STUFFS 105 STOCKINGS WHILE EDUCATION GETS COAL

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Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

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SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST 2025: ANGARA STUFFS 105 STOCKINGS WHILE EDUCATION GETS COAL
All Senators on the List: Even Hontiveros’ Single Stocking Stuffer Proves No One’s Truly Nice

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — December 26, 2025

MGA ka-kweba, here at Kweba ni Barok, we don’t just report the news—we dissect the corpse of corruption while it’s still alive and feasting on the people’s money. And this Christmas of 2025, the biggest gift under the tree is the so-called DPWH Leaks (Politiko, 23 Dec. 2025): an Excel sheet from the hell of bureaucracy exposing how senators—all of them, no exceptions—submitted their “wish lists” to the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for the 2025 budget. Leading the pack? Former Senator and current Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara with 105 projects. Followed by former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (34), Joel Villanueva (30), and Imee Marcos (28). The rest? All in—from Alan Peter Cayetano down to Risa Hontiveros with just one, but still in.

And the smoking gun? None other than the sworn testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. In front of the senators, he stated clearly: these project requests are “inappropriate intervention.” Budget proposals should come solely from DPWH technical officials, not from politicians with spending power. The leaked list? A perfect match to the projects he mentioned under oath, except for the bicameral insertions. Corroborated further by sworn affidavits from other DPWH officials. This is the evidence that can no longer be denied: pre-enactment pork barrel at the NEP stage itself.

“From ‘Build, Build, Build’ to ‘Bill, Bill, Bill’—Merry Plunderland!”

1. The Ecosystem: The Pork Barrel Virus Post-PDAF Mutation

Don’t say this is isolated. This is the post-Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) mutation—the virus killed by the Supreme Court in the landmark ruling Belgica v. Ochoa (2013), but revived as “NEP wish lists” and “bicameral insertions.” In Belgica, the Court was merciless: PDAF was unconstitutional because it gave legislators post-enactment control over budget execution—project identification, realignment, and fund release. A violation of separation of powers (1987 Constitution, Article VI, Sections 24 & 25: bills originate in the House, but the executive prepares the NEP), non-delegability of legislative power, and public accountability.

Now? They just moved the game to pre-enactment: senators dictate the NEP even before it reaches Congress. Is this executive usurpation of legislative power? No—the reverse: legislative usurpation of executive function. The DPWH, under pressure, becomes a mere rubber stamp for the wish lists of these Fiscal Vikings. Result? A P6.326-trillion budget full of politically motivated projects, not technically vetted. The pork barrel zombie: decapitated in Belgica, but the head grew back in the NEP.

2. Eviscerating the Key Players: The Wishlist Syndicate

Let’s look at the Top 4 Project Hoarders—not just numbers, but hypocrisy and motive.

  • Sonny Angara (105 projects): Ayan, the former Senate Finance Committee chair, the “budget lord” now Education Secretary. Public persona? Fiscal guardian, reformist promoting education priority. But privately? His 105 projects are a conquest map—hoarding like there’s no tomorrow. Motive? Consolidating power as a new Cabinet member, building alliances, and perhaps a war chest for future runs. Legal hook: If there’s quid pro quo (kickbacks via intermediaries, like those linked to Olaivar in Bernardo’s testimony), a direct hit on Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Section 3(e)—causing undue injury or giving unwarranted benefits.
  • Francis “Chiz” Escudero (34 projects): The masterful hedger, former Senate President always playing the “fiscal prudence” card—he even cut DPWH flood funds before. But in the leaks? A solid 34. And in Bernardo’s testimony? Directly implicated in kickback deliveries worth hundreds of millions via bagman Maynard Ngu. Hypocrisy level: God tier. Motive? Political survival—hedging bets in the UniTeam fracture while building machinery. Liability: RA 3019, and if aggregate >P50M, plunder (Republic Act No. 7080).
  • Joel Villanueva (30 projects): The “born-again” reformist, whistleblower persona on other issues. But 30 projects? Mobilizing a war chest for the religious bloc and 2028 ambitions. Bernardo’s wider probe links him to Bulacan insertions and kickbacks. Motive: Patronage politics disguised as constituency service. Hook: Violation of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) (public interest over personal).
  • Imee Marcos (28 projects): The paradoxical insider-critic—railed against the “mangled” budget signed by her own brother the President. But still 28 projects? Delivering infra to Ilocos while posing as anti-system. Motive: Family dynasty maintenance. Liability: Same graft laws, plus constitutional usurpation.

No one gets a pass. Even DPWH officials—their cowardice in allowing intervention. And the other senators? Collective silence—complicity by omission.

3. Prosecution Roadmap: From Paper Tiger to Real Teeth

Not just a list—this is a blueprint for blood.

  • Criminal: RA 3019 (Anti-Graft)—Section 3(e) for undue injury or unwarranted benefits to contractors; Section 3(g) for fraudulent contracts. If proven kickbacks (like Bernardo’s deliveries), plunder (RA 7080) if >P50M aggregate. Direct circumvention of Belgica—pre-enactment intervention to bypass the post-enactment ban.
  • Administrative: RA 6713 (Code of Conduct)—violation of Section 4: public interest over personal, justness and sincerity. CSC or Senate Ethics probe for suspension or disqualification.
  • Constitutional: Article VI, Section 25 (power of the purse solely in Congress, but allowable influence only post-enactment); separation of powers vs. executive NEP preparation. Petition the SC to declare the practice of NEP wish lists unconstitutional—an extension of Belgica logic.

Ombudsman: File cases now. Sandiganbayan: Try them. COA: Disallow all questionable projects.

4. Scandal Endocrinology: Life Cycle and Rotten Consequences

Their defenses? Pathetic: “Just constituency service!” or “Routine requests.” Fake transparency—release edited justifications. Stonewall in hearings.

Resolutions? From the weak Senate report that’s “sternly worded” only, to nuclear: Ombudsman indictments, SC intervention declaring NEP interventions unconstitutional, electoral oblivion in 2028.

Impacts? Erosion of trust—why vote if pork is the priority? Distortion of infra policy: DPWH budget ballooning while education suffers, violating Article XIV, Section 5 (highest priority to education). And the chilling message: Belgica was just a speed bump. The corrupt ingenuity of the Wishlist Syndicate? They won again.

My countrymen, this is the moment. Demand the Ombudsman investigate based on Bernardo’s testimony and the leaks. Petition the Supreme Court for a new Belgica case against NEP insertions. Boycott the hoarders in the next election. Because if we don’t act now, the next leaks? Maybe P10-trillion, and nothing left for the nation but bones.

Deep in this cave, our torches burn brighter with every lie exposed. We won’t stop pounding the bureaucratic boulder until it hemorrhages truth. This holiday season, the nation’s stocking stuffer is accountability—or bust. Rise up!

–Barok

Key Citations

Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo

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