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
"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., This news data comes from:http://www.yamato-syokunin.com
"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.
- Typhoon death toll rises in Vietnam as downed trees hamper rescuers
- Rains over Metro Manila, parts of PH as LPA may develop into 'short-lived' tropical depression
- Support grows for independent probe into flood control projects
- Senate subpoenas 8 DPWH officials, contractors in flood control probe
- Marcos orders 'sweeping review' of DPWH budget under 2026 NEP
- New law lets foreigner investors lease land for 99 years
- Wawao Builders exec ‘not sure’ if company has flood control project in Bulacan
- Zelenskyy seeks talks with Trump and European leaders on slow progress of peace efforts with Russia
- Vietnam marks 80th independence anniversary with huge parade
- Cyclone's trough, habagat will bring cloudy skies, rain showers over PH
