Senators Estrada, Villanueva Named in House Flood Control Corruption Probe

Former Bulacan Engineer Alleges 30% SOP in Flood Control Projects

A former Bulacan district engineer has implicated Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva in the ongoing flood control corruption investigation during Tuesday's House of Representatives hearing.

Brice Hernandez, a former assistant district engineer, testified that his superior, District Engineer Henry Alcantara, claimed the senators demanded a 30% cut from projects listed in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). This revelation adds another layer to the deepening flood control fund scandal that has gripped the nation.

Strong Denials and Counter-Challenges

Senator Estrada vehemently denied the allegations, challenging Hernandez to undergo a lie detector test. "Talk is cheap. I am ready to prove that all that he said against me were pure lies," Estrada stated in a text message.

District Engineer Alcantara has also denied Hernandez's claims, creating a complex web of contradicting testimonies that investigators must now unravel. The controversy has sparked renewed concerns about infrastructure project integrity, similar to issues that led to recent public demonstrations over flood control management.

Parliamentary Cooperation in Investigation

Senate President Tito Sotto III demonstrated inter-parliamentary courtesy by allowing Hernandez to attend the House probe, despite the witness being previously detained at the Senate for contempt charges related to alleged casino activities.

The parallel investigations by both chambers of Congress highlight the gravity of allegations surrounding flood control project management and their impact on public infrastructure development.