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., This news data comes from:http://gangzhifhm.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.
- Comelec probes 15 contractors for illegal campaign donations
- Corruption crackdown: VP Sara Duterte, lawmakers call for deeper probe into government
- Gasoline, diesel prices to increase by P1 next week
- UN force in Lebanon slams Israeli drone attack on peacekeepers
- DOJ indicts Abra Mining for fraudulent trading
- Thailand ruling party moves to dissolve parliament
- Go seeks more support for Filipino athletes
- Peace efforts in limbo as Kyiv mourns 23 dead
- DOE issues circular to consolidate electric vehicle recognition guidelines
- House probe tackles flood control corruption: Lawmakers disclose conflicts of interest
