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.
"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://gx-pvxq-buo-gqlx.gyglfs.com
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.
- Marcos to mark ‘Thrilla In Manila’ 50th anniversary
- Bersamin letter proves Torre reassignments ‘valid’
- Roxas matriarch, 91
- LPA affects Metro Manila, Mindanao, Visayas
- Comelec: Postponed village, youth elections not in 2026 budget
- Anutin elected as Thailand's new prime minister
- Lacson: DPWH exec sought ‘insertions’
- LPA has big chance of intensifying into tropical cyclone to be named ‘Kiko’
- Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce engaged
- PH has chance of getting UNSC seat - Manalo
