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., This news data comes from:http://www.gangzhifhm.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.
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.
- Shooting of Indonesian diplomat in Peru investigated as a contract killing
- 100K Pakistanis flee amid flood threat
- House starts flood control probe
- Filipino weightlifter Vanessa Sarno banned for 2 years for anti-doping violation
- ‘Lannie’ to bring rain over NLuzon, southwest monsoon to affect Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa —Pagasa
- Lone bettor wins P86M in 6/42 lotto draw for Sept 6
- Japan PM decides to quit as opponents seek leadership election: reports
- Sen. Bong Go files bill for better health worker protection, benefits
- Gaza at 'breaking point,' says UN food agency chief after visit
- MMDA proposes rainwater facilities in Camp Aguinaldo to mitigate EDSA flooding
