Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson stressed that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva remain under scrutiny in the controversy surrounding alleged kickbacks from Bulacan flood control projects.
Speaking in an interview on Storycon with One News, Lacson said both senators have not been cleared despite having the chance to face former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Brice Hernandez, who accused them of receiving 30 percent commissions. Hernandez had linked Estrada to ₱355 million worth of projects in the 2025 budget and Villanueva to ₱600 million in unprogrammed funds in 2023.
“By any measure, Senators Villanueva and Estrada have not been cleared, at least on the issue of budget insertions involving infrastructure projects in Bulacan,” Lacson stressed. He noted that Senate budget books validate Hernandez’s claim against Estrada, based on his staff’s own review.
Lacson clarified that while Villanueva earlier claimed the ₱600 million project could not be found in the General Appropriations Act, this does not automatically absolve him. “It is a person’s basic right to confront his accuser. In case you didn’t notice, I did not clear the two senators on the issue of budget insertions,” Lacson said.
He also pointed out that the choice to step back from the ongoing Senate Blue Ribbon probe rests with the two senators. “It is an issue of delicadeza. If they want to inhibit or recuse themselves, then it’s their call. If they don’t… I cannot force them also not to interpellate because they are members of the Blue Ribbon committee,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lacson revealed that Senate President Vicente Sotto III has allowed Hernandez a 12-hour pass to gather evidence supporting his allegations. The former DPWH engineer is currently detained at the Senate after being cited in contempt during earlier hearings.
Should Hernandez present solid proof, Lacson said it would be forwarded to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure for further action.
