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.
"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., This news data comes from:http://bi.yamato-syokunin.com
- House party leaders want to return proposed 2026 budget to Executive
- UK, Japan, South Korea endure hottest summer on record
- Protesters storm Discaya compound, Sotto calls for calm
- India warns Pakistan of more cross-border flooding due to heavy monsoon rains
- Marcos opens Hyundai's shipyard in PH
- Pope Leo meets LGBTQ+ Catholic advocate and vows continuity with Pope Francis' legacy of welcome
- Macron's decision to recognize Palestinian state angers Israel and the US
- Nepali court: Hindu holy men's nudity not obscene
- Tourists dice with danger on Hanoi's train street
- Typhoon death toll rises in Vietnam as downed trees hamper rescuers
