Sen. Ping Lacson Speaks on Finding P355-Million Budget Insertion in 2025 Infra Budget for Bulacan
PING LACSON – The chairman of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee confirmed finding a P355-million budget insertion matching the claim of former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives opened an investigation on the alleged anomalous flood control projects funded by the government in the different areas across the nation. The Department of Public Works and Highways earned massive criticisms amid the issue.
Previously, DPWH chief Vince Dizon confirmed that he will order the “courtesy resignation” of all officials of the agency nationwide. According to Dizon who replaced former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan in his position, he would ask all the undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, division heads, and district engineers of the agency nationwide to tender their courtesy resignation.
Dizon also confirmed that he will abolish the internal investigation committee of the DPWH. According to him, he does not believe that the agency can investigate itself. In the Senate, the chamber invited several officials of the DPWH as well as the owners and presidents of the following contractors flagged by Pres. Bongbong Marcos for getting around P100-billion worth of government flood control deals since his term started:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
The House also conducted its own investigation. One of those that was invited by the lower chamber was former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez. During the House flood probe, the former DPWH Engineer accused senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects.
Recently, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Ping Lacson confirmed that found a P350-million budget insertion in the 2025 infrastructure funds for Bulacan which matches the claim of Hernandez during the House flood probe.
“Si Senator Jinggoy po ay nagbaba ng P350 million ngayong 2025 sa ilang projects sa Bulacan… Ang kanyang SOP dito ay 30 percent, as per our district engineer Henry Alcantara. Diniliver ito noong lumabas ang mga item na ito sa GAA,” Hernandez said.
Based on a report on Inquirer, Sen. Ping Lacson claimed that he ordered the checking of the General Appropriations Act or GAA right away. He stressed that the said budget insertion was not made in the House of Representatives but either in the Senate or during the Bicameral Conference Committee session.
“Pina-check ko agad sa General Appropriations Act kung meron bang insertion na nagkakahalaga ng P355 million na intended para sa Bulacan. And we found one. Meron talagang insertion na wala sa House version pero lumabas ito after Bicam. So maliwanag na either sa Senate version or sa Bicam yun na insert,” the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman said.
Based on the report, Sen. Ping Lacson stressed that it will add to the credibility of the claim of former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez. According to the Senator, he wants it validated further and to determine who was the proponent of the budget insertion.
Amid the accusation, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada junked the allegation that he received kickback from the flood control projects funded by the government.