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://www.yamato-syokunin.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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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.
- Aftershocks rumble quake-hit Afghanistan as death toll tops 1,400
- Philippines to work more closely with US amid regional challenges
- Taiwan, China locked in historical word war
- Marcos 'ready' to undergo lifestyle check- Palace
- PTFOMS and CHR sign agreement to improve Filipino media workers' safety
- DPWH to revisit budget, to complete revisions within 2 weeks
- Gloria Arroyo files bill to empower Office of the Vice President
- Customs preparing report on Discayas’ 28 luxury cars
- Metro Manila disaster agencies expand response areas in preparation for 'Big One'
- HFMD cases on the rise
