Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday rejected allegations of corruption raised against him by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
The senator cited how Bernardo admitted that they never directly spoke about the alleged scheme, calling the claims false and damaging to his reputation.
“It seems like there is 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… I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement,” Escudero said.
The former Senate president questioned why only senators were being implicated, while other political figures were not mentioned in the testimony: “If we are to base it on Usec. Bernardo’s testimony, they all have no fault or involvement here. That doesn’t seem believable.”
“Nevertheless, I will face and fight this, and I will file the appropriate charges against Usec. Bernardo for the baseless and unfounded accusations he has made,” Escudero concluded.
Meanwhile, former senator and current Makati Mayor Nancy Binay likewise denied being linked to corruption in flood control projects.
Bernardo earlier alleged that Binay received around P37 million from projects implemented in 2024, which she described as false.
“I am shocked and saddened that I am being implicated in the anomalies of the DPWH. The accusations against me are baseless,” Binay said.
“It is easy to make false and damaging statements. But my performance in public service has always been above board and beyond a shadow of doubt,” she added.
She emphasized that she has been quietly working as mayor and was being unfairly used as a diversion in the investigation.
