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., This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com
"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.
- Bonoan freezes DPWH travel passes
- Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin makes surprise departure ahead of a risky court ruling
- AFP: It would take more than a tugboat to tow BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal
- GoTyme gives customers 20 free InstaPay transfers per month
- A summit and parade in China may signal a geopolitical shift
- China displays its weaponry in a tightly controlled military parade
- DBP launches P50M program for education
- DPWH exec fired, 2 others face dismissal over flood control mess
- International media protest over journalist deaths in Gaza
- Discaya companies' licenses revoked for bid-rigging