Lacson says proof needed to back alleged flood control kickbacks

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Friday said the Blue Ribbon Committee is waiting for “receipts” to substantiate claims that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva pocketed commissions from flood control projects.

Lacson, who chairs the panel, stressed that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez must present documentary proof before the Senate or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) can recommend charges.

“We need clear receipts if we are to make a recommendation or pass the case to the ICI. That would support the allegation that he gave a 30 percent commission to the two senators,” Lacson said in a radio interview.

He added he would ask Senate President Vicente Sotto III to allow Hernandez to leave the Senate under escort to retrieve the supposed documents.

Lacson confirmed allocations consistent with Hernandez’s claims: PHP600 million in flood control projects from unprogrammed funds in the 2023 budget allegedly tied to Villanueva, and PHP355 million in the 2025 budget linked to Estrada.

Both senators denied the allegations. Estrada welcomed the ICI probe, saying he expects a “fair and just inquiry” to clear his name. Villanueva, meanwhile, gave an emotional defense at the hearing, calling the claims an attempt to ruin his reputation, family, and church community.