The Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) has confirmed that there is no official document or record proving that Senator Jinggoy Estrada made insertions or amendments to the 2025 national budget concerning projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan.
In its report to the Office of the Ombudsman, the LBRMO clarified that all amendments approved by the plenary are considered to come from the Senate as an institution and cannot be attributed to any particular senator. The statement emerged amid the Ombudsman's investigation into alleged kickbacks from flood control projects, which Estrada has strongly denied.
The senator asserted that since the controversy began, he has maintained that the accusations against him are baseless and lack solid evidence. He said he merely fulfilled his duty as a senator to review the national budget and propose amendments for the welfare of the people.
Estrada noted that the LBRMO report proves there are no insertions in the DPWH budget that could be linked to him. “This is on record. This is the truth,” Estrada said, insisting that he remains committed to the principles of transparency and accountability in his public service.
The senator added that he is ready to face and refute all false accusations thrown against him. “I will not allow my name to be tarnished by false, defamatory, and malicious statements,” he said.
Despite the lack of an official record, the Ombudsman's investigation continues to determine the extent of the alleged anomaly and the liability of those involved.
