Suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada had at least ₱7.4 billion in congressional initiatives included in the 2025 national budget, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan testified before the Sandiganbayan.
Bonoan also testified that Estrada had ₱475 million worth of infrastructure projects shared with another lawmaker and allegedly requested a ₱1-billion Senate leadership fund, of which ₱700 million was approved.
The testimony was presented during hearings on Estrada’s petition for bail in a plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
Bonoan acknowledged that he had not spoken directly with Estrada about the project requests and relied on information provided by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, while the project list did not bear Estrada’s signature.
The allegations form part of the ongoing legal proceedings, and the claims presented in court remain subject to judicial evaluation as the case progresses.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 28, 2026
