A recent investigation into the Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget suggests that political proximity to the country's top leadership plays a significant role in how infrastructure funds are allocated. Data shows that districts represented by powerful figures, such as House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Marcos, and Paolo Duterte, brother of Vice President Sara Duterte, have historically secured massive funding slices compared to other regions. During the final years of the Duterte administration, the younger Duterte’s district received a record-breaking P51 billion, a trend that shifted under the current administration as Romualdez’s district in Leyte captured P57 billion between 2023 and 2025.

Critics and budget watchdogs argue that these allocations are often driven by political influence rather than the actual development needs of a district. The process, which allows lawmakers to submit budget requests and utilize "insertions" during deliberations, enables a system where the most influential representatives secure outsized budgets despite their districts having smaller populations than others. While some officials advocate for these funds to address local infrastructure, the stark disparity—such as a heavily funded small district receiving significantly more than a vastly populated one like Rizal—raises concerns about equity. Meanwhile, a few legislators continue to shun these infrastructure allocations entirely, citing transparency issues and a desire to avoid the persistent corruption often associated with DPWH projects.