OSAP denies link to DPWH projects tagged ‘OP (ES/SAP)’

In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) firmly refuted claims linking the “OP (ES/SAP)” tag to certain Department of Public Works and Highways (Department of Public Works and Highways) projects based on files attributed to the agency’s late undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. said his office is not an implementing agency and has no technical authority to select specific infrastructure projects or exercise line-item jurisdiction over the DPWH’s internal budget listings.

Lagdameo said OSAP has no role in identifying or implementing infrastructure projects and stressed that allegations linking him to the issue are “unfounded, false, and misleading."

He added that the continued misuse of his name or office—whether to suggest influence, involvement, or endorsement where none exists—is improper, irresponsible, and must be stopped.

The insinuation surfaced after Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste made public the so-called “Cabral Files,” which he said he received from the late undersecretary prior to her death.

Leviste earlier called for a probe into a list of DPWH projects bearing the tag “OP (ES/SAP)” as the supposed proponent for some of the 75 projects cited in the documents.

However, Leviste has said he is uncertain about the exact meaning of the tag, noting that the projects listed under it involve flood control, slope protection, and streetlight installations.

Lagdameo reiterated OSAP’s support for transparency and accountability as corruption-related investigations continue.

He said his office will not be “distracted by speculation and will continue to discharge its duties in accordance with its mandate."