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
"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., This news data comes from:http://nlgc-yvbm-pl-sxry.erlvyiwan.com
"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.
- Sen. Bong Go files bill for better health worker protection, benefits
- Protesters storm Discaya compound, Sotto calls for calm
- Scramble for survivors as Afghan earthquake death toll passes 1,400
- Marcos to create independent commission to investigate flood control anomalies
- 'Trump Whisperer' ex-minister joins Japan PM race
- New judge to handle Dengvaxia cases named; hearing set
- Pagasa sees cyclone-free week across PH
- Senate subpoenas 8 DPWH officials, contractors in flood control probe
- Malacañang hits back at VP Duterte's criticism on flood scam probe
- Aggressive promos in unregulated online gambling platforms draw Filipinos — study
