DURING previous hearings at the House of Representatives infrastructure committee, former Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez named names as to who are allegedly involved particularly senators amid project controversies.
Hernandez divulged that senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were involved in the kickback scheme scandals. These claims were made during the hearing along with the House of Infrastructure Committee.
Aside from the senators, Hernandez also named DPWH 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, as well as Undersecretary Robert Bernardo.
“Sabi ni Senator Marcoleta kahapon ligtas ka na, hindi po ito totoo. Si Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, Usec Robert Bernardo, at DE Alcantara,” Hernandez stated, referring to Marcoleta’s remarks during the Senate Hearing last Monday.
In the handwritten affidavit of Hernandez, he claimed that the senators had received 30% of (Standard Operating Procedure) from the projects.
It is later revealed that this year, Estrada had dumped P355 million infrastructure deals in Bulacan, while Villanueza had also dumped P600 million in 2023, which had 30% SOP.
“Si Sen Jinggoy po ay nagbaba ng P355 million at ang kanyang SOP po rito ay 30%. Mga driver namin sa District Engineer Bulacan ang nagdeliver. Nung 2023 naman naglabas ng P600 million si Senator Villanueva. Ang SOP nito ay 30% rin.” Hernandez said.
Aside from revealing the breakdown of the senator’s involvement on the kickback, Hernandez along with his assistant JP Mendoza, had also revealed the disappearing messages exchanged between him, Estrada, Villanueva, and Alcantara.
Estrada, Villanueva and Villanueva denies involvement
As Hernandez reveals the names of those who are involved in the kickback, senators Jinggoy Estra and Joel Villanueva deny being linked to the scandal.
Jinggoy Estrada urges Hernandez to take a lie detector test to prove Hernandez’s accusation.
“I categorically and vehemently deny the claims made by Brice Hernandez. I challenge him. Let us take a lie detector test before the public para malaman ng lahat kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo.” Estrada said.
Estrada further added that the accusation is nothing but a cheap talk and he is ready to prove that all the allegations against him are false.
Meanwhile, Alcantara–who was present in the hearing denies the allegations against him. Alcantara further added that Villanueza has no flood projects.
“Your honor, tungkol po sa sinasabi niya na ako ang kausap ng mga pulitiko, hindi po totoo ‘yan na ako ay nagdedeliver sa mga pulitiko. Si Senator Joel, 2023 wala pong project na flood control si Senator Joel ever since.”
During his privilege speech, Villanueva also denies the allegation that Hernandez made against him, dismissing it as a demolition job.
“Uulitin ko, at parang sirang plaka na ako, Mr. President, wala akong kailanman naging flood control project. Hindi ko po sasabihin na I categorically deny this accusation dahil po may resibo po tayo. Meron pong pwede ipa-berika kung bakit ito nangyayari,” Villanueva said.
Hernandez to be transferred at Camp Crame
To ensure Hernandez’s safety after revealing the names of those who are involved, Brice Hernandez is set to be transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame at Quezon City.
Earlier in the hearing, Brice Hernandez had requested not to be returned to the Senate due to concerns for his life and family.
“To make sure he is safe but still in custody of the Senate, the Speaker and I agreed to place him in the PNP custodial center but under the supervision of the Senate OSAA,” said new Senate President Tito Sotto.
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