Senator Panfilo Lacson identified DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral as the official who contacted Senator Vicente Sotto III after the May 2025 elections to solicit budget insertions for the 2026 national budget.
Sotto confirmed he received the offer through an intermediary but declined, citing transparency and good governance.
Lacson revealed hundreds of questionable budget entries, warning that collusion between lawmakers and agencies undermines the budget process safeguards.
Former Senate presidents, including Juan Miguel Zubiri and Francis Escudero, were urged to explain the alleged budget insertions, though Zubiri denied involvement and supported transparency.
Lacson pledged support for President Marcos’ anti-corruption campaign and plans to present evidence on flood control project anomalies in an upcoming privilege speech.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 8, 2025
