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://osxs-grs-opc-sf.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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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.
- PH, Australia hold live fire drills during ALON 2025 in Nueva Ecija
- Gasoline, diesel prices to increase again next week
- Widespread flooding in Quezon City due to heavy rains, stranding commuters, rendering most roads impassable to vehicles
- Filipino priest wins Ramon Magsaysay Award for activism against Duterte's drug war
- MMDA proposes rainwater facilities in Camp Aguinaldo to mitigate EDSA flooding
- Duterte defense files more motions challenging ICC prosecutor
- Dizon to order DPWH officials to submit courtesy resignation
- Malabon averts crisis with garbage deal
- Israeli army: Gaza City now 'a dangerous combat zone'
- Marcos 'ready' to undergo lifestyle check- Palace
