Bicol Saro Partylist Representative Terry Ridon questioned his inclusion in Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste’s list of alleged project proponents in the 2025 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), stressing that he was not part of Congress when the budget was approved.
Ridon said he could not have had budget insertions because the 2025 national budget was passed in 2024 by the 19th Congress, while he assumed office only this year under the 20th Congress.
“Kabababalik lang natin sa Kongreso ngayong taon, 30 June 2025, sa ilalim ng 20th Congress,” Ridon said.
“Kaya paano ako magkakaroon ng insertions sa 2025 budget kung hindi pa ako congressman noong binuo ang budget na ito noong 2024, sa ilalim ng 19th Congress?”
In a radio interview, Leviste claimed that Ridon had ₱150 million worth of road project insertions in Pamplona and Pasacao, Camarines Sur.
Ridon challenged Leviste to immediately make public the complete list of alleged proponents, which Leviste said was sourced from documents of the late Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.
“Marapat na ilabas niya ito sa pinakamaagang panahon. Hindi niya kailangan ng abiso mula sa Kongreso o kay DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon para gawin ito,” Ridon said.
“Higit na mahalaga, mahalagang ipaliwanag ni Rep. Leviste bakit niya hindi ito inilabas pagkakuha niya ng sinasabi niyang dokumento mula kay yumaong DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral noong September 4, 2025, o higit tatlong buwan na ang nakalipas.”
“Mahalagang ipaliwanag din niya kung bakit ngayon lang niya binabanggit ang listahang ito, ngayong patay na ang nag-iisang maaaring makapagpatunay ng authenticity ng dokumentong ito,” he added.