Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday vehemently denied accusations by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo that he received kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.

“I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo in today’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter. I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement,” Escudero said in a statement.

The senator claimed there was a “well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators.”

He also questioned why other figures allegedly involved, such as Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, were not being mentioned.

“This zarzuela is a clear diversion from the real culprits. Nonetheless, I will face and fight this and file the necessary legal charges against Usec. Bernardo for his baseless accusations,” Escudero added.

He stressed that in his 27 years of public service, he has never been charged with corruption.

Bernardo, in his affidavit presented before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, alleged that funds from DPWH projects were funneled to lawmakers through intermediaries and direct deliveries.

He claimed that businessman Maynard Ngu, described as a close friend and campaign contributor of Escudero, acted as the channel for the supposed kickbacks.

According to Bernardo, he submitted a list of projects to Ngu, some of which were later included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) covering Valenzuela and Marinduque.

After their inclusion, he allegedly delivered 20 percent of the projects’ total cost—around ₱160 million out of ₱800 million—to Ngu’s Manila office, supposedly for Escudero.

Escudero maintained that the allegations are fabricated and vowed to clear his name.