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://prak.ycyzqzxyh.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.
"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.
- Trump rebrands Department of Defense as 'Department of War'
- Thai opposition's kingmaking summit fails to back new PM
- South Korea's Lee faces pivotal test at first summit with Trump
- Australia to tackle deepfake nudes, online stalking
- Philippine experts urge harm reduction strategy for tobacco control
- COA probes Iqbal on spending of P1.7B in one day
- PNP chief Torre relieved, Nartatez to take over
- 25,000 Filipinos register for Pag-IBIG's Expanded 4PH Housing Program
- Trump move to cut more foreign aid risking shutdown
- Pagasa sees cyclone-free week across PH
