Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson dropped a bombshell, declaring that Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada remain far from cleared in the raging controversy over budget insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Speaking after the explosive Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on September 18, Lacson confirmed that his own staff found suspicious allocations in the 2023 GAA: ₱600 million in flood control projects allegedly tied to Villanueva and ₱355 million in infrastructure funds linked to Estrada. These figures mirror the allegations raised by former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez.
“By any measure, Senators Villanueva and Estrada have not been cleared, at least on the issue of budget insertions involving infrastructure projects in Bulacan worth P600M and P355M respectively,” Lacson posted on social media.
Both Villanueva and Estrada have repeatedly denied receiving kickbacks or pushing for insertions. But Lacson made it clear: documents tell a different story.
Facing criticism for allowing the two senators to actively participate in the hearing despite being accused, Lacson defended his decision.
“Every person, ordinary or senator, has equal rights. I actually consulted my legal staff before making that decision. On the other hand, the two senators have not been cleared of the budget insertions under the 2023 and 2025 GAA’s. I made that very clear today,” Lacson stressed.