In a move that intensifies calls for budget transparency and anti-corruption reforms, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson revealed a ₱355-million insertion in the 2025 national budget for flood control projects in Bulacan, an amount that directly mirrors the figure cited by whistleblower and former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez.
Hernandez earlier accused Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva of receiving “commitments” equivalent to 30% of project costs for floodgates and pumping stations in Bulacan.
He claimed that Estrada funneled ₱350 million into select projects, with a standard operating procedure (SOP) of 30% kickbacks allegedly confirmed by district engineer Henry Alcantara.
“Si Senator Jinggoy po ay nagbaba ng P350 million ngayong 2025 sa ilang projects sa Bulacan… Ang kanyang SOP dito ay 30 percent,” Hernandez testified.
Lacson, now chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said his team verified the existence of a ₱355-million insertion in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) that was not present in the House version nor the National Expenditure Program (NEP), but appeared after the bicameral conference.
“Meron talagang insertion na wala sa House version pero lumabas ito after Bicam. So maliwanag na either sa Senate version or sa Bicam yun na insert,” Lacson stated during Kapihan sa Senado.
The senator emphasized the need to identify the proponent behind the insertion, lamenting the lack of transparency in budget deliberations.
“Hindi mo pwede matukoy… Ito nga yung lagi kong pinaglalaban—na identify natin kung sino yung proponents ng mga amendments. Kasi kung walang record, paano matutukoy kung sino yung nag-insert o nag-amend?”
Without clear documentation, Lacson warned, the responsible legislator may evade accountability.
“Possible. Wala ngang record niya. Kaya nga moving forward, kailangan maging transparent all the way, every step of the way from the NEP.”
Estrada and Villanueva have denied Hernandez’s allegations, with Estrada reportedly considering legal action.
Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed that his office is investigating Hernandez’s claim of a bribe delivery by a contractor inside the Senate premises on August 19. CCTV footage has been requested, and Senate staff may be called to testify.
This revelation comes amid growing public frustration over opaque budget practices and alleged misuse of infrastructure funds.
Advocates are now demanding systemic reforms to ensure traceability of budget amendments and to prevent public funds from being siphoned through political patronage.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is expected to resume its probe on September 18, with civil society groups closely watching whether this investigation will lead to real accountability or yet another cover-up. (ZIA LUNA)
