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://giiwv.jyxingfa.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.
"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.
- India will not 'bow down,' trade minister says after US tariffs
- PNP chief Torre relieved from post — Palace
- Modi and Putin affirm special relationship as India faces steep US tariffs over Russian oil imports
- Police officers face more charges in missing cockfight enthusiasts case
- Dizon asks DOJ to issue immigration lookout bulletin to 26 DPWH officials and contractors
- Heavy rain falls in parts of Southeast Asia after tropical storm blows into Vietnam Heavy rain falls in parts of Southeast Asia after tropical storm blows into Vietnam
- Wife of Australian man wanted in police killings urges him to surrender
- Over 800 killed as quake rocks Afghanistan
- Go Negosyo, CFO push migrant empowerment
- 'Pink and green' protests call for a reset in Indonesia
