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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://www.705-888.com
"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.
"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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
- 'Pink and green' protests call for a reset in Indonesia
- Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital
- Four children killed by parents in Dominican Republic — police
- Escudero says new lease law to make PH more appealing to investors
- Trump move to cut more foreign aid risking shutdown
- Marcos leads oath taking of new officers of League of Provinces of the Philippines
- US appeals court blocks Trump's use of wartime law for deportations
- Xi slams 'bullying' in speech to regional leaders at summit
- Roxas matriarch, 91
- DPWH seeks lookout bulletin vs officials, contractors in ghost projects
