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., This news data comes from:http://yamato-syokunin.com
"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.
"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.
- Pope declares 'God's influencer' first millennial saint
- Israel flattens high-rise as it tells Gaza City residents to flee
- Thai opposition holds kingmaking summit deciding new PM
- Mexican boxer Chavez Jr. released from prison pending trial
- Philippines calls for Gaza ceasefire amid humanitarian crisis
- Xi and Putin's hot mic moment: How long will science extend the human life span?
- France seized by fears of new political crisis
- ICC clears applications of 15 drug war victims to join proceedings vs Duterte
- House bill seeks to regulate AI use
- Majority of Filipinos unaware of vote buying in 2025 elections, OCTA survey shows
