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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://im.771bg.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.
- Manila Water announces service disruption for over 12K households in Mandaluyong due to leak repair
- PH Army showcases disaster response capabilities before Thai defense officials
- SpaceX scrubs latest Starship launch due to bad weather
- Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 610 people and injures 1,300
- Modi and Putin affirm special relationship as India faces steep US tariffs over Russian oil imports
- North Korea's Kim Jong Un travels to Beijing to watch military parade alongside Putin, Xi Jinping
- EU massive fine against Google draws Trump threat
- Marcos, first lady visit Cambodia to boost ties
- Marcos names acting Ombudsman
- Hontiveros pushes P15,000 salary hike for teachers
