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, This news data comes from:http://www.erlvyiwan.com
"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.
- Preliminary report on Lisbon funicular accident expected
- DPWH fires Bulacan engineers, blacklists contractors over anomalous projects
- PH Army showcases disaster response capabilities before Thai defense officials
- Israeli protesters call for hostage deal ahead of cabinet meeting
- PH doesn't recognize Taiwan as sovereign state, stands by 'One China Policy' -- Foreign Affairs chief
- Israel warns Hamas to surrender or face 'annihilation'
- Thousands rally in Serbia and accuse police of brutality at anti-government demonstrations
- Argentine police recover Nazi-looted painting spotted in property ad
- DPWH chief rejects calls to resign as he vows to probe corruption in flood control projects
- Senators Estrada and Villanueva deny getting kickbacks after former engineer tags them in House hearing
