Estrada, Villanueva ready to open bank accounts to scrutiny to prove innocence
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva on Tuesday expressed willingness to sign any waiver to open their respective bank accounts, with both stressing they have nothing to hide amid allegations they benefited from flood control projects worth millions of pesos.
“I’m open to any investigation, Mr. President, even now that the blue ribbon committee of Sen. (Panfilo) Lacson has yet to start its hearing. As early as now, I’m willing to sign any waiver to open my bank accounts. Let me put that on record. I don’t know if Senator Joel, maybe he will also concur with my idea,” Estrada said during the Senate’s plenary session.
“I have been open ever since. We have been consistent ever since. In fact we have a bill that government officials should sign [a waiver of the bank secrecy law],” Villanueva said in a chance interview.
Estrada again criticized their accuser, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez, who claimed that he and Villanueva received at least a 30-percent cut from nearly P1 billion worth of flood control projects in the province.
Both Estrada and Villanueva denied the accusation, as the former even challenged Hernandez to take a lie detector test after dragging them into the flood control works controversy.
Singled out for fame
“Why do they only want to crucify us senators? Why not do the same to other politicians? Is it because we’re famous? That’s not right, we’re all in the government, serving the same people,” Estrada said.
In a House inquiry last week, Hernandez claimed that Estrada received a 30-percent “kickback” after he maneuvered to allocate P355 million in the 2025 national budget for flood control projects in Bulacan.
“How can I demand 30 percent? What was his basis?” Estrada asked. “I’ve been there, that’s why I am protecting my name. Why should I do such a thing? I would never do such a thing. Was it because I’m actively participating in the blue ribbon committee? Was it because I’m brave? I’m just doing my job,” he added.
“Why are we giving so much importance or credence to this person who is a liar, who is the number one suspect of this corruption?” said Estrada, who was jailed in 2001 on corruption and plunder charges. He was acquitted in 2007, only to be charged with bribery over the “pork barrel” scam in 2014. He was also acquitted in 2024.
