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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://ykd.gangzhifhm.com
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.
"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.
- No winner in Grand, Megalotto draws for Aug 27
- 9 dead in Ecuador after bus plunges into ravine
- US agents arrest 475 in Hyundai-LG plant raid
- Discayas to file raps vs protesters, will attend Senate hearing — lawyer
- Thousands protest in Indonesia as military deployed in capital
- Pacifist Japan struggles to boost troops as China anxiety grows
- Escudero subpoenas 5 contractors, 3 DPWH executives to Senate probe
- Budget shortfall narrows in July
- Japan PM Ishiba bounces back in polls after election debacle
- UN force in Lebanon slams Israeli drone attack on peacekeepers
