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, This news data comes from:http://052298.com
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.
"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.
- A tale of two cities: San Mateo rejects Manila's trash; Rizal opens landfill to Malabon
- DOJ indicts Abra Mining for fraudulent trading
- Gloria Arroyo files bill to empower Office of the Vice President
- South Korea's Lee faces pivotal test at first summit with Trump
- Lacson: Torre 'acted beyond his authority'
- Jollibee, DepEd partner to develop quick service restaurant curriculum for senior high
- Wildfire tears through California gold rush town
- Japanese volunteers to PH 'bedrock' of bilateral relations, says envoy
- Chinese tourist city Sanya shuts down as typhoon intensifies
- Protesters storm Discaya office in Pasig to demand accountability for 'ghost flood control projects'
