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, This news data comes from:http://705-888.com
"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.
"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.
- Lawmaker linked to anomalous flood control projects in US for medical reasons, says House spokesman
- LPA affects Metro Manila, Mindanao, Visayas
- India to cut taxes on hundreds of consumer goods to boost local demand following steep US tariffs
- Pope declares 'God's influencer' first millennial saint
- Kanlaon Volcano spews ash
- Indonesia protests put spotlight on paramilitary police force
- Discayas must return money before seeking immunity – Remulla
- Van Gogh Museum 'could close' without more help from Dutch govt
- Duterte Youth brings Comelec cancelation battle to Supreme Court
- Maryland resident is diagnosed with New World screwworm. What to know about the parasite
