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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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.
"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://ifv-lo-rvsj-sre.ycyzqzxyh.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.
- Searchers retrieve bodies as Afghan quake toll seen to rise
- DOST, SM Supermalls partner to empower businesses with sustainable practices
- US agents arrest 475 in Hyundai-LG plant raid
- China's Xi holds talks with North Korea's Kim in Beijing
- Senate subpoenas 8 DPWH officials, contractors in flood control probe
- CBCP president urges Israel to stop military operations in Gaza
- La Niña may return but temperatures will remain high, UN says
- Roxas matriarch Judy Araneta-Roxas, 91
- Japanese climber, 102, sets Mount Fuji record
- Gaps in healthcare services remain - study
