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
"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://redcanaco.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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
- Thailand's Parliament to vote Friday for a new prime minister
- Escudero says new lease law to make PH more appealing to investors
- Comelec to open nearly two-year overseas voter registration for 2028 elections
- Trump hails Department of War rebrand as 'message of victory'
- First millennial saint: Vatican to canonize 'God's Influencer' Carlo Acutis
- DPWH engineer denies role in Bulacan flood control ‘ghost projects’
- Philippines to work more closely with US amid regional challenges
- UP journalism professor chides Rep. Gomez over ‘media spin’ claims
- Thailand's suspended prime minister testifies over phone call that could get her booted from job
- 25 countries suspend postal services to US over tariffs – UN
