He said this during a House panel hearing, which came a day after a similar inquiry in the upper chamber.
On Tuesday, September 9, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant district engineer for Bulacan, Brice Hernandez, appeared before the Infrastructure committee of the House of Representatives.
During which, he first requested that he not be returned to the Senate’s custody, where he was detained after being cited in contempt after his attendance at the Blue Ribbon committee on Monday, September 8.
He was then assured by Rep. Terry Ridon that the House will be coordinating with the Senate regarding that.
Hernandez was then asked by lawmakers regarding his background and made some revelations about his personal knowledge of the alleged corrupt practices in their office.
In his testimony, the ex-DPWH district engineer claimed that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva received “commitments” from his former boss, District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
The former Public Works official also furthered that some engineers have become “legmen” or “bagmen” of lawmakers.
Hernandez said that Estrada put PHP355 million worth of projects to Hagonoy and Malolos in the 2025 General Approrations Act (GAA), with his “SOP” or “kickback” being 30% of it.
Once these were finalized, he also mentioned the names of drivers that were directed by Alcantara, whom he called as the “chief implementor,” to personally deliver the funds.
As for Villanueva, he told, the lawmaker also received the same percentage of 30% for the PHP600 million worth of projects in Balagtas.
The cut was also allegedly brought directly to the lawmaker’s residence in Bulacan, where it was delivered by Alcantara with construction section chief Jaypee Mendoza.
“Pinapasabi pa nga sa amin sa mga contractor na kung gusto n’yong magkaroon ng maraming project sa sususnod, magbigay kayo ng additional 2 percent sa kanya, parang finder’s fee daw,” Hernandez revealed the scheme.
In his statement to the media, Senator Jinggoy Estarada said that he is “categorically and vehemently” denying the claims made by Hernandez.
“I challenge him. Let us take a lie detector test before the public para malaman ng lahat kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo,” he added.
Estrada continued: “Talk is cheap — handa akong patunayan na pawang mga kasinungalingan ang sinasabi niya tungkol sa akin.“
However, as of press time, Senator Joel Villanueva has yet to issue his own statement regarding the issue.