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.
"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., This news data comes from:http://705-888.com
- Indonesian police officer fired over killing that sparked protests
- Immigration deports 49 South Korean fugitives
- Pag-IBIG Fund gives occupants 10% discount to legally buy acquired homes
- Portugal mourns after Lisbon streetcar accident kills 15
- India will not 'bow down,' trade minister says after US tariffs
- Israeli strikes in Yemen's capital kill six, Houthis say
- India warns Pakistan of more cross-border flooding due to heavy monsoon rains
- US appeals court finds Trump's global tariffs illegal
- House bill seeks to regulate AI use
- Mexican senators come to blows after heated debate
