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.052298.com
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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 Secretary Dizon orders perpetual ban of Wawao Builders, Syms Construction for ghost projects
- Widespread flooding in Quezon City due to heavy rains, stranding commuters, rendering most roads impassable to vehicles
- Washington makes military aid overtures to Sahel juntas
- Tensions soar in Indonesia as protests over police brutality and lawmakers' allowances continue
- France seized by fears of new political crisis
- DILG to roll out nationwide unified 911 hotline on Sept. 11
- Wife and ally of ousted SKorean president indicted by special prosecutors
- LBC Express Holdings top executive to retire in Oct.
- WBO champ looms as Pacquiao’s next opponent
- House party leaders want to return proposed 2026 budget to Executive
