Escudero dismisses misuse allegations, calls for audit

Senate President Francis Escudero dismissed allegations of misuse of flood control funds as a 'demolition job' related to his recent election, while Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said the issue had not been discussed in senatorial caucuses.

Escudero stated that he has not gained anything from the flood control funds and there were no cases filed against him during his 27 years in government.

Estrada suggested that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, now headed by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, could investigate the matter independently without a formal resolution.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for an audit of flood control funds in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Escudero plans to file a bill prohibiting government officials and their close relatives from securing procurement contracts with the government due to conflicts of interest.