08/09/2025
LOOK : DPWH USEC. CABRAL TAGGED IN EARLY BUDGET INSERTIONS — LACSON
Sen. Ping Lacson on Sunday alleged that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was the official who invited lawmakers to make early insertions in the proposed 2026 national budget.
Lacson said a staff member of Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto received a call shortly after the May 2025 senatorial elections from someone identifying herself as "Undersecretary Cabral," asking them to submit proposals for the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026.
"Sasabihin ko na, si 'Undersecretary Cabral' daw ang tumawag sa kanyang (Sotto) staff at sinabing magsingit kayo dito ng gusto n'yong isingit. E di wala na. Kung isa si Sen. Sotto na in-offer-an, sino pa ang na-offer-an ng ganoon at sino ang nag-submit?" Lacson said in a DZBB interview. He added that Sotto declined to make insertions, consistent with their advocacy for transparency.
Lacson noted that the budget call for 2026 began in January 2025 and likely ended in June, weeks before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged lawmakers in his July 28 State of the Nation Address to ensure accountability in the budget process.
The senator said he has asked for DPWH records and has already flagged hundreds of questionable entries, including 660 identical ₱100-million projects without details or stationing. Such collusion, he warned, undermines checks and balances.
"Mawawala lang ang safeguards pagka nagkaroon ng sabwatan, pag may collusion. Kasi kung mawawala ang check and balance, mawawala ang lahat ng safeguards. Maski may safeguards, babalewalain. Tulad ng nasaksihan natin sa pagdinig ng DBCC, lumalabas na sa NEP pa lang meron nang sabwatan ang legislators at DPWH," Lacson said.
