Lacson confirms ₱355-M Senate or bicam insertion, matching ex-DPWH engineer’s claim

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed a ₱355-million insertion in the current budget, matching the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez.

Hernandez, former assistant district engineer in Bulacan, earlier told a House inquiry that Senator Jinggoy Estrada inserted ₱355 million for flood control projects in the province, allegedly receiving a 30 percent commission, or over ₱106 million, in kickbacks.

Estrada has denied the accusation. He previously showed reporters that while the 2025 General Appropriations Act indeed contained a ₱355-million allocation, he had no involvement in the insertion and received no commission from it.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, Sept. 11, Lacson said the amount was not in the House of Representatives-approved General Appropriations Bill - indicating it was inserted either during Senate deliberations or in the bicameral conference committee meetings.

“Meron talagang insertion [There really was an insertion],” Lacson said.

Now chairing the Senate blue ribbon committee following a recent leadership shake-up, Lacson said the discovery lends some credibility to Hernandez’ testimony, though he remains cautious about other parts of the engineer’s claims.

However, Lacson raised concern over the difficulty of identifying the lawmaker responsible for the insertion.

“Because walang record e [there’s no record],” he said.

Asked if this means the proponent could get away with it, Lacson said: “Possible, walang record e. Kaya nga moving forward kailangan maging transparent [Possible because there’s no record. That’s why moving forward, transparency is needed].”

Despite the lack of documentation, Lacson said his office is exploring ways to trace the source of the insertion. He also said the senators may discuss possibly inviting former Senate finance committee chairperson Grace Poe to testify.

Caught on camera

Meanwhile, Lacson revealed that his office has obtained security camera footage of a certain “Mina” of WJ Construction’s visit to the Senate on Aug. 19.

Hernandez earlier said “Mina” was a courier for kickbacks from government infrastructure projects, supposedly delivering money to Estrada’s staff, Beng Ramos. However, Ramos was later identified as a member of the blue ribbon secretariat, not of Estrada’s office.

“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 said.

[Translation: 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.]

“Kung idudugtong mo [If you will connect the dots], lawyers call this circumstantial evidence na although stand alone, wala kang mako-conclude [you cannot conclude anything],” he added.

The blue ribbon committee will hold its next hearing on the flood control projects on Thursday, Sept. 18, the first to be presided over by Lacson since taking over from Senator Rodante Marcoleta.