Anti-infrastructure corruption crusader Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste is suggesting that lawmakers adopt the so-called "Singson formula" in order to ensure savings worth ₱60 billion in the 2026 national budget.

“Even if DPWH’s (Department of Public Works and Highways) prices in the 2026 budget remain high, the DPWH can still lower the prices by automatically rejecting bids if they are not on average at least 10 percent below the Approved Budget for Contract," Leviste said in a statement Tuesday, Dec. 16.

"Along with an across-the-board cut on prices in the budget, this was the formula of former DPWH Secretary Babes Singson,” noted the 32-year-old solon.

The discussions of the Bicameral Conference Committee on the 2026 national budget have largely been stalled since Sunday, Dec. 14, when the House of Representatives and Senate contingents first took up the DPWH's funding worth ₱624 billion next year.

According to leviste, the bicam--which is composed of a select group of House members and senators--can insert a special provision in the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) that would facilitate real biddings.

“The bicam can add a special provision to require that DPWH’s contract prices be on average at least 10 percent below the approved budgets to generate another ₱60 billion in savings through truly competitive biddings," Leviste said.

The Batangas lawmaker said most DPWH bids are only 0-5 percent below the approved budget, suggesting collusion and bid-rigging, "because in the private sector, bids are 10-30 percent below approved budgets".

He said in a privilege speech on Monday night, Dec.15 that the overpricing of DPWH projects was caused by bid-rigging.

"It is said that almost all DPWH bids in Batangas are ‘bidding-bidingan (fake biddings)’, which is consistent with former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s testimony that ‘almost 100 percent’ of bids in the DPWH are rigged. The Ombudsman is even investigating that losing bidders get paid 3 percent of DPWH contracts," Leviste said.

The son of Senator Loren Legarda underscored: "It is in the power of the DPWH secretary to end this and Congress to ensure it.”

To combat bid-rigging, Leviste suggested that DPWH open bids first and then do post-qualification and announce the prices before DPWH can disqualify bidders, and implement an auction system to avoid collusion and force contractors to give lower prices.

“Whatever budget the Bicam finalizes, the DPWH can ensure ₱60-billion savings in 2026 by adopting the Singson formula and rejecting bids that are not sufficiently below the approved budgets,” he further said.