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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://052298.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.
"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.
- ‘New NBI chief must be career official’
- Australia government condemns anti-immigration rally in Sydney
- Peace efforts in limbo as Kyiv mourns 23 dead
- Putin meets Kim, praises North Korean troops in Russia
- Pope Leo: We must listen first before speaking
- La Niña forecast from Sept-Dec, expect more tropical cyclones, above normal rainfall -- Pagasa
- Japan govt seeks to triple spending on drones
- North Korean leader inspects new missile factory ahead of visit to China
- Zelenskyy seeks talks with Trump and European leaders on slow progress of peace efforts with Russia
- China criticizes Canadian, Australian warships transiting Taiwan Strait
