Politics · Philippines Bureau
Estrada denies P7 billion budget insertions claim amid Sandiganbayan hearing
Senator Jinggoy Estrada's legal team has firmly rejected allegations that the lawmaker secured over P7 billion in congressional initiatives in the 2025 national budget. The denial comes as former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan presented written testimony to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division detailing the purported insertions.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The legal counsel of Senator Jinggoy Estrada reiterated on Tuesday that the legislator made no insertions in the 2025 national budget, contradicting claims made by a former cabinet official in an ongoing case before the Sandiganbayan.
Manuel Bonoan, who previously served as Public Works and Highways secretary, submitted written testimony to the Fifth Division of the anti-graft court alleging that Estrada had secured over P7 billion in what Bonoan termed "congressional initiatives" in the budget.
Estrada's legal team responded to the allegation by restating their position that the senator was not involved in any budget insertions. The statement came on the same day Bonoan presented his testimony to the court.
The exchange marks the latest development in proceedings involving the senator and underscores the contested nature of budget allocation claims currently being examined by the Sandiganbayan.
No additional details on the specifics of Bonoan's allegations or the legal proceedings were immediately available.