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://iv.gangzhifhm.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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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.
- Marcos, first lady visit Cambodia to boost ties
- Hope dwindles for survivors days after deadly Afghan quake
- Philippine experts urge harm reduction strategy for tobacco control
- A summit and parade in China may signal a geopolitical shift
- Venezuela builds up border security over US warships
- Marcos embarks on three-day state visit to Cambodia
- PH to host seafarers’ welfare forum
- Sotto files bill to amend party-list system
- Boy killed, mother injured in Pasig fire
- Motive probed for US church shooting that killed 2 children, injured 17
