By Tracy Cabrera
A high ranking executive of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has testified before the Sandiganbayan that jailed Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy Estrada’ Ejercito Jr. is allegedly involved in over ₱1.6 billion worth of insertions into the agency’s budget back in 2025.
In a judicial affidavit, DPWH Programming Division chief Engr. Peter Paul Cortez implicated the eldest son of former president and convicted plunderer Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada in 16 projects that were not included in the National Expenditure (NEP), but were inserted in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
Cortez alleged that 12 of the said projects were for Bulacan amounting to ₱855 million, while four other projects were for Metro Manila at ₱750 million.
The DPWH official revealed the accusations in his testimony during Estrada’s bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division even as the suspended senator is currently fighting a plunder case over allegations of involvement in flood control project kickbacks.
Amidst the astounding revelations, however, Cortez admitted to having no personal knowledge that Estrada personally made the request for the budget insertions.
Still, DPWH engineer Gerard Longoria, who stood as witness during the bail hearing, mentioned a referral or action slip with a list of projects allegedly connected to Estrada for funding in the 2025 NEP.
