‘Ingay politika’: Escudero dismisses budget ‘insertion’ allegations as politically-motivated

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero addressed recent allegations surrounding the supposed insertion of P142.7 billion in the 2025 national budget, calling the accusations politically motivated.

“In my 27 years in Congress, I have not been known for that… walang napukol na ganyang issue sa akin (Those kinds of issues have never been thrown at me),” he added.

Media reports came out citing a 103-page document allegedly showing that Escudero inserted P142.7 billion into the P6.3-trillion national budget for 2025, with Bulacan—considered the stronghold of Senator Joel Villanueva—allegedly receiving the largest allocation of over P12 billion.

Escudero questioned the framing of the issue, pointing out that even if the cited figure were accurate, it only amounts to 2 percent of the total budget.

“Ibig sabihin ba nun, perpekto yung budget na ginawa ng Executive at 2% lamang yung pagbabagong ipinanukala ng mga Senador?” he asked, stressing that both the Senate and House of Representatives traditionally propose amendments to the national budget.

He described the controversy as part of the “ingay sa politika (political noise)” brought on by the upcoming election for Senate President.

“Hindi ako bababa sa level nila (I won’t stoop to their level),” he added.

On the issue of flood control spending, which critics have linked to the alleged budget insertions, Escudero defended the Senate’s position.

“Issue yan sa buong budget. Hindi lamang ng taong ito pero ng nagdaang taon din. Pero hindi yan issue laban sa Senado (That’s an issue across the whole budget—not just this year’s, but in previous years as well. But that’s not an issue against the Senate),” he said.

“Tingnan mo na lamang sa Kamara kung anong mga panukala nila. Bakit ba nakatuon ang pansin nila sa Senado e napakaliit lamang naman ng mga panukala ng Senado kaugnay sa bagay na yan (Just take a look at the House—what are the proposals they’ve made? Why is all the attention focused on the Senate when the Senate’s proposals on this matter are so small?)” he said.

Escudero added that the House likely proposed more infrastructure-related amendments in previous years, making it ironic that the Senate is now being singled out.

“Nakakatawa nga. Pilit nilang pinapasa sa amin at sa Senado ang bagay na yan (It’s funny, really. They’re trying to pin the blame on us and the Senate),” Escudero said. — Dhel Nazario