Senator Jinggoy Estrada reaffirmed his innocence regarding alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, pointing to official Senate records to clear his name.
On Tuesday, the senator cited findings from the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO), which reportedly confirm that no “insertions” were made by his office in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2025 budget.
The LBRMO recently informed the Office of the Ombudsman that their documentation shows no record of Estrada proposing specific allocations for DPWH projects during the bicameral conference committee meetings.
Estrada emphasized that these findings validate his long-standing defense against accusations of fund funneling and corruption.
“The official records of the… (LBRMO) clearly affirm that no insertions were made on my part in the DPWH 2025 budget,” Estrada said. “This is on record. This is the truth. Hindi ako natitinag sa aking paninindigan para sa transparency at accountability—lalo na sa pagtupad ko sa aking tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan.”
The controversy stems from claims made by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged that the senator received kickbacks of up to 25% from infrastructure projects valued at approximately ₱1.95 billion.
Estrada has dismissed these claims as “baseless and reckless,” maintaining that his participation in budget deliberations has always been within the bounds of his constitutional duty.
“Ginampanan ko lamang ang aking tungkulin bilang senador, alinsunod sa Konstitusyon—na busisiin ang pambansang badyet at maglatag ng mga mungkahi sa pag-amyenda ng ilang probisyon na, sa aking pananaw, ay nararapat at naaayon sa kapakanan at interes ng ating mga kababayan,” he explained.
Estrada expressed his readiness to face the allegations, asserting that he will not allow his reputation to be tarnished by malicious statements.