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.
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://705-888.com
- Maryland resident is diagnosed with New World screwworm. What to know about the parasite
- DPWH opens foreign-assisted projects to LGUs
- Private groups back DHSUD chief's anti-corruption policy
- Typhoon death toll rises in Vietnam as downed trees hamper rescuers
- Palace hits Discayas over ‘misinformation’ on PH film center project
- Pope Leo meets LGBTQ+ Catholic advocate and vows continuity with Pope Francis' legacy of welcome
- BCDA honored for UN sustainable development goals at Manila Times Awards
- Marcos thumbs down return of proposed 2026 budget to Malacañang
- US approves .5M in assistance to Nigeria to help address hunger
- Epstein victims compiling list of sexual abusers