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://kee-hjb-pch-bepa.xs888999.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.
"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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson

- Inflation up 1.5% in August
- Asian voices needed to 'shape agenda' - AVPN chief
- Eala ousts Day, enters Guadalajara Open final
- 'Strangest' dinosaur covered in spiked armory — Scientists
- Heavy rain causes flooding, landslides and 8 deaths in Vietnam and Thailand
- Sen. Pangilinan Advocates for Credit-Worthy Farmers to Boost Agriculture Sector
- Aggressive promos in unregulated online gambling platforms draw Filipinos — study
- Evicted from their forests, Kenyan hunter-gatherers fight for their rights
- Sara says govt corruption probe a 'zarzuela,' plans to meet Robredo im Bicol festival
- Lacson seeks probe of 2 PH contractors' board members for conflict of interest