Bonoan: Estrada had at least P7.4-B congressional initiatives in 2025

MANILA — Suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada had at least P7.4 billion in congressional initiatives in 2025, according to former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

State witness Bonoan testified at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday as the anti-graft court resumed its bail hearing on Estrada’s plunder charge in relation to alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.

Estrada’s lawyer Laurence Arroyo objected to references to the P7.4 billion and other congressional initiatives, saying it was irrelevant. But it was overruled.

Aside from P7.4 billion, the prosecution said Estrada had a P475-million congressional initiative in tandem with a congressman.

Bonoan testified that Estrada requested around P1 billion under the Senate Leadership Fund for 2025.

The former DPWH chief explained that the Senate Leadership Fund aims to deter the senators from meddling with the president’s DPWH budget.

Bonoan claimed that former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral recommended a P500-million fund for Estrada, which was then included in the proposed budget of the DPWH.

Later on, DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo — who, Bonoan said, is close to the senator — requested an additional P500 million for Estrada when he became Senate President Pro Tempore. Bonoan then asked Cabral to review it. She recommended the additional fund.

The prosecution said that of the P1-billion request, P700 million was approved.

Bonoan said he has a copy of the list of projects under Estrada’s leadership fund but noted that it had no acknowledgment receipts nor the senator’s signature.

The former DPWH chief also claimed that part of Estrada’s leadership fund was for the elections.

Estrada, who attended via teleconference, denied the allegation, saying he was not a re-electionist during the 2025 polls.

Further, Bonoan said the Department of Budget and Management was aware of the leadership fund in 2025 as he discussed the funding with the Cabinet’s economic team. He is not aware, meanwhile, if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has knowledge of it.

Bernardo is set to testify on the next hearing on Oct. 28.