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., This news data comes from:http://052298.com
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.
"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.
- Asian voices needed to 'shape agenda' - AVPN chief
- SC clarifies rules on land ownership
- Thailand ruling party moves to dissolve parliament
- Cyclone's trough, habagat will bring cloudy skies, rain showers over PH
- Marcos opens WorldSkills Asean competition
- Islamic State claims deadly attack on Pakistan rally
- Wildfires producing 'witches' brew' of air pollution – UN
- NATO members to reach 2% defense spending goal this year
- US appeals court finds Trump's global tariffs illegal
- More funding sought for sports commission
