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://lchmhlgk.xs888999.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.
- Some areas in Metro Manila, 5 provinces to have power interruptions due to maintenance works
- New judge to handle Dengvaxia cases named; hearing set
- Marcos expresses support for ‘beleaguered’ Cabinet members
- Bureau of Customs seeks missing luxury cars of contractor Sarah Discaya
- PH Navy spots 20 Chinese ships near BRP Sierra Madre
- Nepal PM resigns after deadly protests sparked by social media ban
- SC orders comment on petitions vs polls
- Roxas matriarch, 91
- Group presses DA on delayed fertilizer subsidies
- Nartatez vows fair assignments, better resource management as new PNP chief
