MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson said an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) called up one lawmaker to make early insertions in the proposed national budget for 2026.
The senator on Sunday said a caller claiming to be "Undersecretary Cabral" from DPWH called up a staff member of Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III shortly after the May 2025 senatorial elections.
"One 'Undersecretary Cabral' called Sotto's staff and told them to insert what they wanted to insert [in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026]," Lacson said in a radio interview.
"If Sen. Sotto was one of those called by that executive, who else could have been contacted similarly and submitted their proposed insertions?" he said in Filipino.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://ixg-ef-vt-tobw.ycyzqzxyh.com
"Senator Sotto told me he did not submit anything because we are advocating transparency and good governance. The question now is, how many members of the House and Senate made insertions?" Lacson added.
- PH doesn't recognize Taiwan as sovereign state, stands by 'One China Policy' -- Foreign Affairs chief
- PH to see ‘blood moon’ Sept. 7-8
- Russian drone, missile attack kills 14, injured 48 in Kyiv
- Malabon City honors partners
- Filipino member of AHOF K-pop group says Manila concert a dream come true
- Putin tells Xi China-Russia ties are at 'unprecedented level'
- Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital
- DPWH engineer denies role in Bulacan flood control ‘ghost projects’
- A suicide bombing near a political rally in southwestern Pakistan kills 13 and wounds 30
- 'I have no resentment,' says Torre after dismissal as PNP chief
