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://bnxglo.erlvyiwan.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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
- PNP disputes China's crime advisory, says Philippines crime rate dropped
- LTO told to summon 2 DPWH engineers with fake driver’s license
- Malacañang calls plot to jail VP Duterte 'wild imagination'
- DoJ to begin preliminary investigation into missing cockfighting enthusiasts
- Macron says 26 countries pledge troops as a reassurance force for Ukraine after war ends
- House party leaders want to return proposed 2026 budget to Executive
- Comelec delays implementation of decision disqualifying Duterte Youth Party-List
- US approves .5M in assistance to Nigeria to help address hunger
- Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin makes surprise departure ahead of a risky court ruling
- DOTr denies ordering shutdown of online selling platforms
