Lacson warns ‘kapalmuks’ testing public patience anew over 2027 budget

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday warned that public patience was once again being tested by individuals he described as “kapalmuks,” (thick-faced) as scrutiny over questionable allocations in the proposed 2027 national budget continues.

According to Lacson, the flood control scandal had barely settled when these individuals began testing the public’s patience anew.

“When anger meets vigilance, greed and callousness face a fierce fight. The flood control scandal has barely settled, yet the ‘kapalmuks’ of the world are testing the limits of the people’s patience yet again,” he said in a post on X.

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“I would like to think they are wrong this time,” Lacson added.

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READ: Senate told over P1 trillion in proposed 2027 budget is pork

Lacson also thanked the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) and other groups for standing together in the pursuit of accountabilit.

The PBC has been pushing for closer scrutiny of the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, flagging more than P1 trillion worth of allocations as potential “pork” or red flags.

In its presentation before the Senate finance committee in October, the coalition identified P210 billion in alleged soft pork or patronage-driven aid, P695 billion in hard pork involving politicized infrastructure, and P112 billion in shadow pork in the form of unprogrammed appropriations.

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The group also warned of a possible repeat of the flood control scandal if the House-approved General Appropriations Bill is passed without addressing questionable infrastructure allocations.

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The PBC recently disclosed that several House lawmakers had reached out to the group for discussions on its findings and concerns over the proposed 2027 budget.

Lacson has yet to clarify to the Inquirer’s query whether his remarks referred to new personalities or individuals previously linked to the flood control controversy.

In a separate exchange on social media, Lacson said he no longer had political ambitions after a netizen urged him to push for cuts in lawmakers’ large budget allocations, particularly for projects in Northern Luzon. He asked the senator to redirect the funds to health, education, and preparations for the looming El Niño crisis.

READ: DA, NIA ask for more funding in 2027 as response to El Niño effects

The netizen also suggested limiting allocations for multipurpose buildings and basketball courts which “can wait” to prioritize more urgent government needs. 

“Alam ko po magagalit sila sa inyo kapag nangyari ito but sabi nyo nga po, wala na naman kayong ambisyon sa pulitika… Dahil alam ko po na magreretiro na kayo para mafocus sa pamilya,” the netizen wrote.

(I’m sure they would be angry with you if this happens, but as you have said, you no longer have political ambitions… I know you are already planning to retire so you can focus on your family,)

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“You hit the nail on the head – I am left with no further political ambitions. Whatever I do now is pure advocacy in pursuit of honest public service which I love doing no matter the cost,” Lacson replied./dp