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.
"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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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., This news data comes from:http://www.052298.com
- La Niña forecast from Sept-Dec, expect more tropical cyclones, above normal rainfall -- Pagasa
- Customs preparing report on Discayas’ 28 luxury cars
- Oil firms to raise pump prices Tuesday
- 'Strangest' dinosaur covered in spiked armory — Scientists
- PNP chief supports lowering age of discernment
- Quezon City hails directive for national projects to get local permits
- Supreme Court urged to act on fake complaints
- Marcos suspends importation of regular, well-milled rice for 60 days
- Inflation up 1.5% in August
- Philippines presses call for ceasefire in Gaza
