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://www.gangzhifhm.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.
- NBI starts own inquiry of DPWH contracts
- Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce engaged
- Immigration: 1st lookout bulletin in effect on 35 individuals, including Discayas, linked to anomalous flood control projects
- Kanlaon Volcano spews ash
- Japan pledges continued support for Philippine development projects
- Bonoan freezes DPWH travel passes
- A summit and parade in China may signal a geopolitical shift
- One in four people lack access to safe drinking water – UN
- Maryland resident is diagnosed with New World screwworm. What to know about the parasite
- Opponents of Japan PM seek leadership contest
