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Former Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez on Tuesday, Sept. 9, implicated Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
At the House Infrastructure Committee hearing, Hernandez claimed that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers like him had been reduced to acting as “bagmen” for politicians.
“Kung tatanungin n’yo kung sino o kanino kami naging bagman… Si Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, Usec. Robert Bernardo at DE Henry Alcantara,” Hernandez said.
According to him, Estrada allegedly received around ₱355 million with a 30% “SOP” or standard operating procedure from Bulacan projects in 2025, while Villanueva allegedly obtained ₱600 million in 2023, also with a 30% cut. Hernandez further alleged that deliveries were made directly to Villanueva’s residence in Bocaue.
He added that contractors were told to give an additional 2% “finder’s fee” if they wanted to secure more projects in the future.
Estrada immediately denied the accusations.
“I categorically and vehemently deny the claims made by Brice Hernandez,” Estrada said in a statement.
“I challenge him. LET US TAKE A LIE DETECTOR TEST before the public para malaman ng lahat kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo. Talk is cheap—handa akong patunayan na pawang kasinungalingan ang sinasabi niya,” he added.
As of press time, Villanueva has yet to issue a statement.
Hernandez was earlier cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee over inconsistencies in his testimony but was allowed to attend the House hearing.
