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, This news data comes from:http://jjbcb.771bg.com
"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.
- Xi and Putin reaffirm 'old friend' ties in the face of US challenges
- Pacifist Japan struggles to boost troops as China anxiety grows
- PH Defense chief slammed for 'bad mouthing' China
- Maduro calls for dialogue hours after Trump’s threat
- Discaya names lawmakers in ‘extortion’
- US and European officials meet to discuss new sanctions on Russia
- Palace: Govt monitoring Chinese sleeper agents, PLA presence in PH
- Inoue says taunts 'missed the target' ahead of world title clash
- China's Xi holds talks with North Korea's Kim in Beijing
- Wildfires producing 'witches' brew' of air pollution – UN
