Senator Jinggoy Estrada defends himself from allegations made at a House tri-committee hearing linking him to anomalous flood control projects.
During his privilege speech in the senate session on Wednesday, September 10, Estrada said his name was “viciously, maliciously, and intentionally dragged” by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant District Engineer Brice Erickson Diaz Hernandez, also known by his alias in casinos as Marvin Santos de Guzman.
Estrada said Hernandez, who previously appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, allegedly attempted to pin him down after being cited in contempt for “shamelessly and repeatedly lying under oath” about his role in supposed ghost flood control projects in Bulacan.
Crooked Accuser
Estrada accused Hernandez of fabricating stories to escape accountability for his own involvement in falsified documents, dealings with “pseudo-contractors,” and gambling away stolen public funds in casinos.
“This is a blatant lie. Isang malaking kasinungalingan,” Estrada said. “My accuser is a crooked man desperately trying to divert attention away from his crimes. He has no credibility.”
Easy Target
The senator revealed that he had been warned by some that he would become an “easy target” if he pursued the investigation into ghost projects. He noted that Hernandez’ accusations surfaced a day after he moved to cite the former DPWH official in contempt.
“I am an easy target because of past accusations against me, but I have fought fair and square in the courts and waited for the rule of law to prevail,” Estrada said.
He also claimed that a social media campaign was being used to discredit him and undermine his efforts to pursue those behind anomalous projects.
Estrada vowed to continue investigating irregularities despite attempts to use his past cases against him.
“If my opponents think they can weaponize my past to stop me, nagkakamali sila,” he declared.
“I have been jailed, vilified, and humiliated. But I will never allow the likes of Brice Hernandez to turn the tables on me. Kayo ang nasasakdal sa mata ng taong bayan, hindi ako,” he stressed.
