DPWH official links Estrada to P1.6-billion budget insertions in 2025

MANILA — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is allegedly involved in over P1.6 billion worth of insertions into the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget back in 2025, an official said. 

In a judicial affidavit, DPWH Programming Division Chief Engr. Peter Paul Cortez said 16 projects attributed to Estrada were not in the National Expenditure (NEP), but were included in the 2025 General Appropriations Act. 

Twelve of these projects were for Bulacan amounting to P855 million, while four other projects were for Metro Manila at P750 million, Cortez said. 

The DPWH official testified during Estrada’s bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday. The suspended senator is fighting a plunder case over allegations of involvement in flood control project kickbacks.  

Cortez said he previously received a list from the late DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral with six projects.

This bore a heading that indicated these would be for funding of Estrada, according to Cortez. 

But Cortez clarified this meant the DPWH would be financing the projects as these would be included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposal for the agency.

Cortez admitted to having no personal knowledge that Estrada personally made the request.

DPWH Engineer Gerard Longoria also stood as witness during the bail hearing.

Longoria mentioned a referral or action slip with a list of projects allegedly connected to Estrada for funding in the 2025 NEP.

More witnesses will be presented in the following days, including ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engr. Henry Alcantara, who is scheduled on Friday.