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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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., This news data comes from:http://erlvyiwan.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
- White House fires US health agency head after she refused to quit
- Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 610 people and injures 1,300
- Thai opposition's kingmaking summit fails to back new PM
- 15 people hospitalized after double-decker bus crashes outside London's Victoria Station
- Putin threatens to target Western troops in Ukraine
- Vico Sotto could challenge VP Sara in 2028 race – survey
- Putin meets Kim, praises North Korean troops in Russia
- DOH unveils 7 priority measures at House hearing
- Marcos confers diplomatic merit award on two ambassadors
- House party leaders want to return proposed 2026 budget to Executive
