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://www.aichuwei.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.
"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.

DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson
- Roxas matriarch Judy Araneta-Roxas, 91
- Open mic caught Xi, Putin discussing immortality
- Thai tycoon takes office as PM after royal endorsement
- Prompt release of educational aids sought
- VP Sara lauds Filipino heroes
- Israeli strikes in Yemen's capital kill six, Houthis say
- Lacson: Torre 'acted beyond his authority'
- Oil firms to raise pump prices Tuesday
- PH, Australia commend ‘impressive’ joint sea drills
- UN force in Lebanon slams Israeli drone attack on peacekeepers