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.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
"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., This news data comes from:http://gangzhifhm.com
- Comelec to open nearly two-year overseas voter registration for 2028 elections
- Firefighters arrested by US immigration officials
- One in four people lack access to safe drinking water – UN
- PH eyes global partners in biggest railway project
- Filipino fulfills dream of performing with K-pop group before home fans
- US appeals court finds Trump's global tariffs illegal
- Chinese sleeper agents' and PLA operatives a threat, Lacson warns
- Actress Angel Aquino victim of 'deepfake,' seeks prosecution of perpetrators of cyber pornography
- Duterte defense files more motions challenging ICC prosecutor
- North Korea test-fires two 'new' air defense missiles