Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero denied allegations that he inserted billions of pesos into the 2025 national budget, calling the claims part of a “demolition and PR job” aimed at tarnishing the Senate’s independence.

“Hindi totoo na may 142 billion insertions ako sa 2025 national budget (There is no truth that I have P142 billion insertions in the 2025 national budget),” Escudero said in a television interview with ANC on Wednesday.

“Hindi ito dapat maging witch hunt lamang sa mga kagalit na pulitiko ikanga ng mga nasa likod nitong mga demolition at PR job na ito (This should not serve as witch hunt only by those rival politicians as they say behind this demolition at PR job),” he added.

Escudero also hit back at accusations that he was behind P142 billion in alleged last-minute budget insertions during the bicameral conference committee, particularly in projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“I didn’t feel alluded to,” Escudero said, referring to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) where the President criticized Congress for pushing a budget “not fully aligned” with the Executive’s proposal.

“There is no one in the Senate who is a contractor or supplier or, at the same time, a member of the upper chamber. I don’t think I can say or we can say the same for the House of Representatives,” he added.

The Senate leader emphasized that budget amendments are part of the legislative process, asserting that Congress retains the constitutional “power of the purse.”

“While I agree that the administration has the prerogative to pursue its proposed budget. Under the Constitution, the power of the purse still belongs to Congress,” he said.

“Hindi naman po pwede na lahat ng isusumite ng executive ay gano’n na lamang, automatic parang rubber stamp ang Kongreso (If the House is willing to do that and it seems to be afraid to do that, then that’s their call),” he said.

“If the House is willing to do that and it seems to be afraid to do that, then that’s their call. But, on the part of the Senate we will review the budget and we will propose amendments that need to be proposed in accordance with the inputs giving to us as well,” he added.

Defending budget amendments

Escudero defended the Senate’s role in realigning funds in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), explaining that the total adjustments from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the final budget amounted to P650 to P700 billion.

“Assuming they’re accusing the Senate of proposing 150 billion in amendments which, as I said, did not come from me. That’s about 2 percent of the national budget. That’s about one fourth of the total amendments,” he pointed out.

“Why focus on the Senate if you are not trying to disparage the Senate and those amendments. If we will look into the budget basing it on NEP, then let us study the entirety of the amendments which is about 650 billion,” he added.

Responding to criticisms that provinces like Sorsogon and Bulacan received disproportionate allocations for flood control and infrastructure, Escudero denied any personal involvement in securing the alleged P9 billion allocation for Sorsogon, his home province.

“In two provinces, only Bulacan and Sorsogon, biglang sa amin ‘yon at kami ang mayari n’on, hindi naman tama ‘yon,” he said, adding that mayors, governors, and congressmen also submit project proposals to agencies like the DPWH.

Further, Escudero dismissed as politically motivated the narrative that he masterminded insertions in the budget. He pointed out that similar accusations emerged after House Appropriations Chair Zaldy Co was removed from his position earlier this year.

“He was replaced. And I think from that day, they haven’t stopped blaming the Senate for whatever happened to them. Ika nga… your foolishness will catch up with you, hindi naman namin kasalanan ‘yon, hindi naman namin desisyon ‘yon. At hindi namin pinapakialaman sinumang chairman o pagpapalit ng chairman sa Kongreso,” he explained.

Escudero also brushed off insinuations that flood control funds for Sorsogon were unnecessary, saying the province’s infrastructure must keep up with climate-related risks.

“Go around the country anywhere and that is exactly what the mayors, the governors, everyone are doing dahil kulang ang pondo palagi ng mga local government unit para d’yan,” he said.

He continued, “The allegation is porket may allocation ninakaw, binulsa, excuse me pa rin, Sorsogon is one of the fastest growing provinces in the country.”

Pushing reforms

Moreover, Escudero revealed plans to file a bill banning elected officials and their relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity from being government contractors or suppliers—a practice he said is prevalent among local officials and members of the House of Representatives.

“That is so commonplace when it comes to congressmen and local officials. In fact, if I recall Senator Lacson’s interview recently correctly, he actually gave a number,” he lamented.

“There are 60 or 65 members of the House who are. I am not aware of any in the Senate who are either contractors or suppliers. It should be prohibited,” he added.

Escudero likewise said he was heartened to receive support from Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, who offered to file a counterpart bill in the House.

“In fact, I got a text from Congressman Sandro Marcos last night, although I slept early, I saw it this morning that he wanted to co-author that measure as well, and I happily agreed to have a counterpart version of this bill in the House,” he said.