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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://gyglfs.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.
- Sotto takes oath as Senate president
- Police general suspended for ‘obstruction’ of evidence in case of missing sabungeros
- Putin facing mounting pressure from the West
- 'I have no resentment,' says Torre after dismissal as PNP chief
- Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800
- Repairs on Chinese ship in Bajo de Masinloc collision may take 2 months - PH Navy
- 2 LPAs monitored inside PAR, bringing rain to Luzon
- Duterte Youth brings Comelec cancelation battle to Supreme Court
- House panel defers 2026 DPWH budget until agency submits changes
- Marcos expresses support for ‘beleaguered’ Cabinet members
