Senator Jinggoy Estrada yesterday announced that he is prepared to open his bank accounts and undergo an investigation after being linked to alleged corruption in flood control projects.
The allegations came from dismissed Public Works district engineer Brice Hernandez, who implicated Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva in the supposed kickback scheme.
“It’s too much. All of us are being affected. Even the Senate as an institution is being dragged down by the testimony of one habitual liar. Why are we believing him? When he accused members of the House, why didn’t we investigate? Why is it only the senators?” he posed.
Estrada rejected Hernandez’s claims and emphasized his willingness to sign waivers granting investigators access to his financial records.
“I am open to any investigation, even now, even if the Blue Ribbon Committee of Sen. Lacson has not yet started. I am willing to sign any waiver to open my bank accounts. Let me put that on record,” he said.
The senator challenged his colleagues to consider why Hernandez’s testimony was being given so much weight despite his role as a primary suspect in the controversy.
Estrada said the Senate must act with fairness while guarding against false statements that could tarnish the institution.
“I am just doing my job as your senator. I have an oath to defend. I want to get all the bad crooks here in the government. That is my duty,” he concluded.
