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
"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, This news data comes from:http://gangzhifhm.com
- Indonesia's delayed new capital risks 'white elephant' status
- Woman accused of murdering her children faces New Zealand trial
- ‘Lannie’ will bring rain showers, thunderstorms over North Luzon —Pagasa
- Xi and Putin reaffirm 'old friend' ties in the face of US challenges
- Discayas name lawmakers, DPWH officials involved in alleged extortion
- China displays its weaponry in a tightly controlled military parade
- Sotto ousts Escudero in Senate coup
- Inoue says taunts 'missed the target' ahead of world title clash
- Heavy rains flood parts of Metro Manila anew
- Sara Duterte calls DPWH flood control Inquiry a 'Zarzuela'
