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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Estrada, Marcoleta elected vice chairpersons of blue ribbon panel

Estrada, Marcoleta elected vice chairpersons of blue ribbon panel

Published May 26, 2026 10:36 am

At A Glance

  • Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta were elected vice chairpersons of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, now chaired by Pia Cayetano, which continues its probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
  • Estrada and Senator Francis Escudero were among the lawmakers named in affidavits linked to the flood control investigation, with Estrada citing Senate budget records to dispute allegations of insertions in the 2025 DPWH budget.
  • Other majority bloc members in the panel include Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, and siblings Camille Villar and Mark Villar,
Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta were elected as vice chairpersons of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta (Facebook and MB file photos)
Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta (Facebook and MB file photos)
The panel, now chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, has yet to conclude its investigation into the anomalous flood control projects that allegedly involved former and incumbent lawmakers, including Estrada. The two senators replace Senator Erwin Tulfo.
Estrada was named in one of the flood control investigation hearings by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office Head Henry Alcantara in his affidavit, among the lawmakers who benefited from a multibillion-peso kickback scheme that diverted as much as 25 to 30 percent of public infrastructure funds into kickbacks between 2022 and 2025.
Recently, Estrada reiterated that, as far as the 2025 budget Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is concerned, no insertion was made on his part, citing official records of the Senate’s Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) that was reportedly submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Escudero, who was also implicated in the flood control scandal, was named a member of the committee.
Escudero was also named in the affidavit of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)Usec. Roberto Bernardo in one of the flood control investigation hearings in the Senate.
Other members of the panel from the majority bloc include Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, and siblings Camille and Mark Villar.
Go was also linked to the flood control scandal when the DPWH looked into the possible ties of contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, the CLTG Builders, a Davao City-based company owned by Go's father. The senator has since maintained that he has nothing to do with his family's business and was willing to file charges against them.
Last year, the Villar siblings, along with their mother, former senator Cynthia Villar, were under investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the alleged awarding of P18.5 billion worth of government projects to a relative.
Senator Mark said that none of his relatives acquired government contracts during his five-year tenure.
Meanwhile, Escudero was named the new chairman of the Senate committee on labor, while Marcos once again gained chairmanship of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation.

Related Tags

Jinggoy Estrada Rodante Marcoleta Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Flood control scandal
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