Senator Jinggoy Estrada may face a complaint before the National Privacy Commission (NPC) for posting a yearbook photo of Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon that contained an address linked to the lawmaker’s relative, Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga confirmed on Thursday.
The controversy stemmed from a social media post Estrada made on Wednesday night, September 10, 2025, showing yearbook photos of Ridon and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez. Hernandez previously implicated Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva in alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
Naga explained that the NPC has jurisdiction to investigate possible privacy violations but refrained from specifying what charges could potentially be filed. “If you are going to file a complaint with the NPC, with all due respect—because we will be the ones deciding the case—it would be improper to preempt any possible decision,” Naga said during a House appropriations committee hearing on the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s budget.
He added that Ridon, should he feel aggrieved, may formally complain so the NPC can evaluate whether Estrada’s post violated the Data Privacy Act or other relevant provisions.
Ridon, however, signaled he does not want the issue to distract from ongoing congressional discussions on flood control projects, which have become a central point of scrutiny in light of corruption allegations. “Hopefully, the good senator can take it down so we can focus on the more important matters in flood control,” Ridon said.
Estrada has yet to issue a formal response regarding the NPC’s statement. His post has drawn attention not only because of the yearbook photos but also due to concerns that personal details such as addresses and contact numbers—blurred by media outlets—were publicly exposed.
The incident comes as lawmakers intensify inquiries into irregularities in flood control projects, a matter that has already ensnared multiple public officials. The NPC’s reminder highlights the growing sensitivity around personal data protection, particularly when intertwined with political disputes.
Whether or not Ridon will pursue a complaint remains uncertain, but the controversy underscores the intersection of privacy rights and accountability in the ongoing flood control corruption scandal.