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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://www.erlvyiwan.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.
"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.
- Oil firms to raise pump prices Tuesday
- Pope demands end to 'collective punishment' and forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza
- House resumes budget briefings
- 1 of 2 suspects in Pasay robbery, rape arrested
- Maduro calls for dialogue hours after Trump’s threat
- Public Works Chief Vince Dizon demands courtesy resignations to 'clean house'
- DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
- Sen. Go files bills to push health, social, and labor reforms
- Lacson lauds Leviste for arrest of DPWH engineer who offered P360M bribe
- 1 in 4 people lack access to safe drinking water — UN
