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., This news data comes from:http://gd-jbyr-rwos-xn.705-888.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.
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.
- Tensions soar in Indonesia as protests over police brutality and lawmakers' allowances continue
- Globe partners with unconnected.org to provide remote schools with sustainable internet connectivity
- Gasoline, diesel prices to increase by P1 next week
- Kris Aquino is alive, says friend amid reports of death
- Discaya companies' licenses revoked for bid-rigging
- Israeli strikes in Yemen's capital kill six, Houthis say
- Comelec delays implementation of decision disqualifying Duterte Youth Party-List
- Aftershocks rumble quake-hit Afghanistan as death toll tops 1,400
- Chinese sleeper agents' and PLA operatives a threat, Lacson warns
- Comelec probes 15 contractors for illegal campaign donations
