Senate Pro Tempore Affirms ₱355-Million Budget Insertion Linked to Flood Control Projects in Bulacan

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has verified the presence of a ₱355-million budget insertion within the current General Appropriations Act, reinforcing earlier allegations from former Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Brice Hernandez.

Hernandez, who formerly served as assistant district engineer in Bulacan, had revealed during a House inquiry that Senator Jinggoy Estrada was behind a ₱355-million allocation for flood control initiatives in Bulacan province. The engineer further alleged that Estrada received a 30-percent commission amounting to over ₱106 million in kickbacks. Estrada has denied involvement, stating that while the 2025 budget includes the allocation, he neither authorized it nor benefited financially.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on September 11, Lacson confirmed the sum was absent from the House-approved General Appropriations Bill, suggesting the insertion occurred either during Senate discussions or the bicameral conference stage.

"Meron talagang insertion [There really was an insertion]," Lacson remarked.

Now leading the Senate blue ribbon committee following recent leadership changes, Lacson noted the confirmation lends some validity to Hernandez’s testimony but cautioned against accepting all claims at face value. A primary hurdle remains the absence of official records pinpointing the proponent of the insertion.

"Because walang record e [there’s no record]," he explained.

When asked whether this lack of documentation could allow the responsible party to evade accountability, Lacson admitted the possibility, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced transparency in the legislative budgeting process moving forward.

Despite these difficulties, Lacson disclosed that efforts are underway to trace the origin of the budget insertion. The Senate may also consider inviting former Senate finance committee chairperson Grace Poe to provide testimony related to the matter.

Additionally, Lacson revealed that his office has secured security footage showing an individual identified as “Mina” from WJ Construction visiting the Senate on August 19.

Hernandez previously claimed that “Mina” functioned as a courier for bribes from government infrastructure projects, allegedly delivering money to Estrada’s aide Beng Ramos. However, Ramos was later established to be part of the blue ribbon committee’s secretariat, not directly connected to Estrada’s staff.

"Although may idea kami kung saan siya nagpunta rito at kaninong opisina ang dinalaw niya, pero ipapatawag namin para malaman natin kung kanino siya nagpunta, kaninong office, at sinong kinausap niya," Lacson stated. ["Although we have an idea where she went and which office she visited, we will summon her to find out exactly where she went, whose office it was, and whom she spoke with."]

Lacson further described the evidence as circumstantial, noting that connecting these details alone is insufficient for a definitive conclusion.

The blue ribbon committee is scheduled to conduct its next hearing on the flood control projects on Thursday, September 18. This session marks Lacson’s first as committee chair following his succession of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.