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://www.gyglfs.com
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.
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.
- New DPWH chief Dizon: "A department can't investigate itself"
- Escudero urges list of unfundable projects for 2026 budget
- Customs preparing report on Discayas’ 28 luxury cars
- Malabon shifts garbage disposal to Rizal landfill after Navotas closure
- BuCor chief calls for major reforms
- DOTr denies ordering shutdown of online selling platforms
- Construction managers, developers back Housing chief's anti-corruption advocacy
- Remulla pledges transparency and impartiality as Ombudsman
- Trump to blacklist countries for imprisoning Americans
- Putin lands in Tianjin for summit hosted by China
