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
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., This news data comes from:http://xh-ge-ed-lt.gyglfs.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.
- Australia's mushroom murderer faces victims' family in court
- Washington makes military aid overtures to Sahel juntas
- Indonesia leader orders investigation into driver's protest death
- Sara mum, but brother thinks Torre removal due to PNP's 'internal conflicts'
- Marcos suspends importation of regular, well-milled rice for 60 days
- Philippine experts urge harm reduction strategy for tobacco control
- Protesters storm Discaya compound, Sotto calls for calm
- Sotto files bill to amend party-list system
- President Marcos launches HD Hyundai Shipyard in Subic
- Shooting of Indonesian diplomat in Peru investigated as a contract killing
