By Tracy Cabrera
BATASAN HILLS, Quezon City — A senior Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official has implicated Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada in alleged budget insertions involving 16 infrastructure projects worth more than ₱1.6 billion in the 2025 national budget.
In a judicial affidavit submitted to the Sandiganbayan, DPWH Programming Division chief Engr. Peter Paul Cortez identified 16 projects allegedly associated with the detained senator. These projects were reportedly absent from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) but later appeared in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Cortez said 12 of the projects, valued at ₱855 million, were intended for Bulacan, while the remaining four, worth ₱750 million, were located in Metro Manila.
His testimony was presented during the bail hearing of Estrada before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division. The senator is facing a plunder case over allegations linking him to kickbacks from flood control projects.
However, Cortez acknowledged that he had no personal knowledge establishing that Estrada himself directly requested the inclusion of the projects in the budget.
Another DPWH official, engineer Gerard Longoria, also testified about a referral or action slip containing a list of projects allegedly associated with Estrada and proposed for funding under the 2025 NEP.
The testimony forms part of the proceedings in which the prosecution is presenting evidence in connection with the senator’s bail petition.
ia/xf
