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., This news data comes from:http://www.jyxingfa.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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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.
- Former DPWH chief denies links to corruption
- Aftershocks rumble quake-hit Afghanistan as death toll tops 1,400
- Legarda pushes Magna Carta of Waste Workers
- Eight towns in Cotabato cancel classes on Monday
- Australia expels Iran ambassador over antisemitic attacks
- Marcos, first lady visit Cambodia to boost ties
- Napolcom welcomes Nartatez’s move to recall Torre’s reassignments
- Trump wants to meet Norea Korea's Kim again
- Alice Guo faces new cases over POGO land
- LPA may still develop into short-lived tropical cyclone
