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://www.erlvyiwan.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.
"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

- Inoue says taunts 'missed the target' ahead of world title clash
- China's Communist rulers push party role before World War II anniversary
- LPA trough, 'habagat' to bring rains in parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila
- China criticizes Canadian, Australian warships transiting Taiwan Strait
- Choose Ombudsman with integrity, intelligence, insight – Cayetano
- Marikina City chief of police relieved
- India's Modi meets Japan's Ishiba as he begins Asia tour
- Monsoon rains flood Mandaluyong, Parañaque — MMDA
- 25 countries suspend postal services to US over tariffs – UN
- GoTyme gives customers 20 free InstaPay transfers per month