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., This news data comes from:http://www.erlvyiwan.com
"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.
- Zelenskyy seeks talks with Trump and European leaders on slow progress of peace efforts with Russia
- Comelec defers reconstitution of BARMM parliamentary districts
- Wildfire tears through California gold rush town
- PH Navy spots 20 Chinese ships near BRP Sierra Madre
- Thousands protest in Indonesia as military deployed in capital
- PNP disputes China's crime advisory, says Philippines crime rate dropped
- Trump moves to end US tariff exemption for small packages
- OVP ready to submit to lifestyle check if ordered, no word from Sara
- PH economic losses hit 100B from corruption in flood control projects
- Navotas holds anti-plastic drive
