On Thursday, September 18, Senator Rodante Marcoleta poked fun at Senator Jinggoy Estrada for being marked ‘safe’ as W.J. Construction owner Mina Elamparo-Jose denied having transactions with Estrada. The question came after former DPWH Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez alleged that Jose delivered kickbacks to Beng Ramos, whom he claimed is a member of Estrada’s staff.
Picking up from Marcoleta’s teasing, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Panfilo “Ping” Lacson spoke in an exclusive interview at Damdaming Bayan on Friday morning, September 20, clarifying whether senators Estrada and Joel Villanueva are really safe.
Although the issue of delivering kickbacks was cleared yesterday, Lacson clarified that the budget insertion issue had yet to be resolved.
The insertions
"Pero sa aspeto ng ₱355 million na insertion na na-allocate sa 1st District ng Bulacan Engineering Office. 1st Engineering District din...i-resolve pa yan kasi maliwanag yung testimonya ni Brice Hernandez ay nasuportahan ng dokumento, official documents na kung saan sa GAA [General Appropriations Act] mismo talagang mayroong ₱600 million pa na-allocate doon na sinasabing insertion ni Sen. Joel," he explained.
"At yung ₱355 [million], insertion naman na tugma rin doon sa mga items na enumerate ni Brice Hernandez," he added, stating that both senators need to explain the matter, as there is documentary evidence, including the official document from the 2025 GAA.
In aid of legislation, Lacson said they would let the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) take over with the investigation for this. However, they have yet to provide the commission with receipts on the established insertions and the exact amount of the items alleged by Hernandez.
30 percent commission
In the previous House Committee on Infrastructure hearing, Hernandez claimed that Estrada and Villanueva received a 30% commission. With this, Lacson said he would write a request letter addressed to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, asking for permission to escort Hernandez off the premises so that he can gather sufficient evidence.
The burden, as Lacson explained, is for Hernandez to prove that the two senators did receive commissions.
"While, establisado na yung ₱600 million, ₱355 [million], may dokumento, may testimonya. Pero yung aspeto naman ng komisyon, hindi pa 'yun malinaw kasi siya lang ang may sabi nun. Kailangan i-back niya ‘yon ngayon ng dokumento, kung meron siya sa ledger man o kung anumang dokumento na magpapatotoo na nagbigay talaga siya ng 30% na komisyon doon sa dalawa, yun ang ipapahanap namin sa kanya," Lacson explained.
Upon approval, Hernandez would be escorted out of the Senate premises for a day.
If Hernandez can provide supporting documents to his claim, Lacson said they would immediately hand them over to the ICI so that the independent body can proceed with investigating the two senators.
