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.
"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., This news data comes from:http://ngma-yumm-lh-ma.jyxingfa.com
"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
- PH Army showcases disaster response capabilities before Thai defense officials
- Undersea cables cut in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Asia and the Mideast
- President asks governor to expose irregularities in govt projects
- Diokno urges Philippines to rejoin ICC to counter China's aggression
- Private groups back DHSUD chief's anti-corruption policy
- Ballots for oct 13 BARMM polls completed – Comelec
- Sara mum, but brother thinks Torre removal due to PNP's 'internal conflicts'
- Maduro calls for dialogue hours after Trump’s threat
- Villanueva: Regularize contractual govt workers
- Thailand's Parliament to vote Friday for a new prime minister