MANILA – Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon called on Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste to be “made accountable” after the latter accused him of making budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.

Ridon stressed there was “no possibility” for him to have made the insertions, as he was not part of the 19th Congress when the budget was crafted in 2024.

“Ang original sin niya, he made a grave accusation of insertions on myself. It was never Bicol Saro. So he has to be made accountable for that,” Ridon told the media. “But today, he needs to be made accountable for making a false accusation that I made an insertion in the 2025 budget.”

Leviste, in a Facebook post, clarified that his earlier statement referred to insertions made by the Bicol Saro party-list, not Ridon personally. He also urged a Public Accounts Committee hearing to investigate road projects worth P150 million in Camarines Sur.

“Media should not allow Ridon to evade the allegation by saying it’s his party-list’s and not his…We can get to the bottom of this if he convenes a Public Accounts hearing,” Leviste said.

Ridon, however, cited transcripts of interviews in which Leviste allegedly attributed the insertions directly to him, calling them “super sinungaling” and “fake news.” He added that he may pursue an ethics complaint or other charges, depending on Leviste’s response.

Ridon also rejected calls to resign as chairperson of the House Committee on Public Accounts, saying the matter does not warrant stepping down.

“I have just returned to Congress this year, 30 June 2025, under the 20th Congress. So how would I be able to make insertions to the 2025 budget if I am not yet a congressman?” Ridon said. He added that Leviste should release the full 2025 DPWH project list, rather than selective information.

Leviste had revealed he possesses documents containing the proponents of DPWH projects, originally under late Undersecretary Ma. Catalina Cabral, but said he was waiting for DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s go signal before releasing them. Ridon questioned why the documents were not released earlier, calling the delay unnecessary.

Over the weekend, Leviste identified Ridon in an interview with broadcast journalist Ted Failon as the lawmaker behind P150-million road project insertions for Pamplona and Pasacao, Camarines Sur, which were awarded to Bicol Gold Rock. Leviste clarified that Bicol Saro was part of the 19th Congress and said submissions to the DPWH budget are common among lawmakers.

“It is clear, Bicol Saro party-list is part of the 19th Congress, and it’s not really an accusation…every Congressman has a submission to the DPWH budget,” Leviste said.