Deny, Defend, Deflect

It's that time again. The time when after a years-long massive scandal has broken names have finally been dropped. Important politicians who effectively pull the levers of government and decide which projects happen by allocating the funds have been implicated. Allegedly they received kickbacks for preferring certain contractors over others. Of course every single one of the accused have denied the allegations, defended themselves by stating they are above board, and deflected by claiming it's all part of a political conspiracy to tarnish them. In fact, they are so positive they are not guilty that some have refused to recuse themselves from the investigation. What conflict of interest? They have already declared themselves to be not guilty. 

That is not to say any of the accused are guilty. It is to say some of these people (Binay, Estrada, and Revilla) are have previously been accused of graft and corruption. Why is it the same names keep floating to the surface in corruption probes? Why would the accusers risk their lives and reputations by naming innocent parties in sworn affidavits? 

It's clear that the same pattern of past corruption probes will happen this time in the anomalous flood control projects investigation. Big names will be accused and charged, they will deny the accusations, the trials will drag out for years, and they will ultimately be found not guilty due to incompetence on the government prosecutor's part. In the end no one will be held accountable and no others will be accused. That is exactly how the PDAF scandal played out over the past decade. 

Here are just a few of the accused. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2115165/nancy-binay-denies-links-to-anomalous-infra-deals

Former Senator and now Makati Mayor Nancy Binay on Thursday denied any involvement in anomalous infrastructure deals, stating that there was “no truth” in the accusations against her.

This was after the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo implicated her and other senators in an alleged scheme involving infrastructure deals.

“I am shocked and saddened that I am being implicated in the anomalies within the DPWH. The accusations against me are not true,” said Binay in a statement.

“We have been quietly doing our work as the Mayor of Makati. It is surprising that we are being used to divert attention from those who should truly be held accountable in this issue,” she added.

Binay then noted how easy it is to make false and malicious statements, maintaining that her performance in public service “has always been above board and beyond a shadow of doubt.”

In his affidavit during a Senate blue ribbon panel hearing, Bernardo claimed a close aide of Binay — whom he identified as Carleen Villa — arranged a deal with him seeking a 15 percent cut in exchange for government projects.

He then claimed the 15 percent cut, amounting to P37 million, was later delivered to Binay in her supposed residence in Quezon City.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2115125/deped-undersecretary-olaivar-denies-link-to-faulty-infra-projects

Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar denied Thursday his involvement in the alleged irregularities surrounding government-funded infrastructure projects, where he was accused of receiving a cut for the project’s implementation.

Olaivar acknowledged that his name was mentioned by Roberto Bernardo, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary, during the ongoing Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, in which he revealed other senators and former senators involved in the alleged faulty projects.

“I deny the allegations made and want to state clearly that I welcome any investigation regarding this matter,” Olaivar said in a statement.

“To allow a fair inquiry, I will voluntarily take a leave of absence from my post and am ready to fully cooperate with any and all proceedings,” he also said.

Olaivar was mentioned by Bernardo in his affidavit, which he read during the Senate blue ribbon panel’s investigation into the alleged kickback schemes in public infrastructure projects.

According to Bernardo, Olaivar previously worked for former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., then moved to the office of then-Sen. Sonny Angara, now the education secretary.

Bernardo told senators that Olaivar had “personally” called him for a meeting to discuss unprogrammed funds under the Office of the Executive Secretary. Olaivar, according to Bernardo, had requested that he submit a list of projects.

The list of projects submitted by former DPWH Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara totaled P2.85 billion.

Bernardo told the Senate panel that he and Olaivar had agreed to a 15 percent cut and that this was delivered to the latter in Makati and elsewhere.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2113178/jinggoy-estrada-no-proof-of-kickbacks-tied-to-me

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada remains confident that no evidence exists linking him to any supposed “kickbacks” in flood control projects.

This was according to his spokesperson, lawyer Bianca Soriano, in reaction to the documents, computer files, and other items from former Bulacan engineer Brice Hernandez supporting claims against lawmakers linked to flood-control anomalies.

“For now, I can share that Senator Estrada has always been firm and consistent in denying these allegations,” she told reporters in a message.

During the previous Senate hearings on the anomalous flood control projects, Hernandez alleged that Estrada and Sen. Joel Villanueva maneuvered to allocate P355 million and P600 million, respectively, for funding in Bulacan’s first district in exchange for an alleged 30-percent cut.

According to Soriano, there is also no valid ground or sound reason for Estrada to refrain from the Blue Ribbon Committee.

“He has consistently denied the baseless allegations against him and remains committed to performing his duties with impartiality and integrity,” she added.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/110078/zaldy-co-denies-link-to-alleged-dpwh-flood-control-kickbacks/story/

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has denied allegations that he benefited from alleged kickbacks in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.

Co’s name surfaced during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, September 8, 2025, where contractor Pacifico Discaya said some lawmakers and DPWH officials were allegedly given “percentages” in exchange for letting projects proceed. 

Discaya testified that as much as 30 percent of project funds were demanded: 25 percent for officials and 5 percent as insertion.

In his statement, Co said the accusations were “baseless and irresponsible,” and that they were “politically motivated.”

“I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me during the Senate hearing held today. These unsubstantiated claims, which attempt to implicate me, are not only hearsay but are also politically motivated designed to mislead the public and deflect accountability,” Co said.

He added that the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) was certified and approved by Congress and signed by the President, who also vetoed some provisions and withheld funds for certain projects.

“However, the validity of the 2025 GAA is currently the subject of a case before the Supreme Court and the Ombudsman. For this reason, I am unable to comment on the matter to the public but reserve my right to comment on this matter, if and when, required by the courts where this matter is pending,” Co said.

The Ako Bicol lawmaker is among several officials named in the ongoing Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies in DPWH flood control projects.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is set to continue its hearings in the coming weeks as it probes reports of “ghost projects” and questionable fund allocations linked to the multibillion-peso flood control budget.

https://news.tv5.com.ph/politics/read/ex-senator-revilla-denies-alleged-link-to-flood-control-mess

Former senator Bong Revilla on Tuesday denied accusations linking him to alleged flood control anomalies in Bulacan.

Revilla reacted to the testimony of Henry Alcantara, the dismissed district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan.

“I deny. Wala po akong kinalaman diyan,” Revilla said in a short statement.

In his sworn statement, Alcantara claimed that there were P300 million worth of budget insertions for 2024 intended for Revilla, who was then seeking reelections for 2025. Revilla lost his bid for a second term.

“Sinabihan ako ni [Public works] Usec. [Robert] Bernardo na ‘Henry kay Sen Bong yan baka gusto mo tumulong sa kanya e dagdagan mo ang proponent ikaw ang bahala!’ … Kaya po imbes na 25% ay naging 30% ang naging proponent ng nasabing mga proyekto,” the sworn statement reaed.

Several lawmakers and public works officials have been accused of involvement in alleged irregularities in flood control projects. The lawmakers have denied the allegations.

The National Bureau of Investigation has recommended charges of violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and malversation of public funds against two other senators and several others, Justice Sec. Boying Remulla told senators.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/25/news/escudero-denies-allegations-in-dpwh-kickback-testimony-vows-legal-action/2190187

Sen. Francis Escudero on Thursday strongly denied allegations by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee linking him to kickbacks from government projects.

In a statement, Escudero said Bernardo’s testimony was “malicious” and “baseless,” stressing that the former DPWH official himself admitted to having no direct dealings with him.

“I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement,” Escudero declared.

The senator suggested that the accusations form part of a broader scheme to discredit the Senate and distract the public from what he described as the “real perpetrators.”

He questioned why other officials were not being implicated in Bernardo’s testimony.

“Why is it always senators being pointed to? Where is Zaldy Co? Where is Rep. Martin Romualdez in all of this? Where are his accomplices? If we go by Bernardo’s testimony, they are all without fault or connection to this. That doesn’t sound believable,” Escudero said in Filipino.

Calling the inquiry a “stage play” designed to mislead the public, Escudero vowed to fight back by filing appropriate charges against Bernardo for what he described as “worthless and baseless accusations.”

Escudero said in his nearly three decades in government, he has never been charged with corruption.

“That record speaks for itself. I believe that when all the facts are revealed, my name and my service will remain untarnished,” he said.

Bernardo had testified that project funds worth around P160 million were funneled through Escudero’s close associate, allegations the senator has now rejected outright.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2115317/romualdez-denies-kickback-raps-taguig-home-being-repaired-since-2024

Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has disputed allegations that he received money from infrastructure projects — said to be delivered to his home — noting that the Taguig City residence mentioned has been under renovation since January 2024.

Romualdez, in a statement on Thursday, said that the testimony of Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s witness — a certain Orly Regala Guteza who is supposedly Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co’s former security staffer — is a mere fabrication meant to forcibly link him to the kickback scheme.

According to Romualdez, former speaker of the House of Representatives, a huge flaw in Guteza’s testimony is that the money was supposedly delivered to his home in McKinley Street in Taguig in December 2024.

Such a thing is impossible, Romualdez said, because the home has been under rehabilitation since January 2024.

“The so-called testimony of Sen. Marcoleta’s witness is an outright and complete fabrication—nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. [The testimony is] extremely forced,” he said.

“The most telling flaw is the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. That’s impossible. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything,” he explained.

According to Romualdez, he will not allow such political attacks — and testimonies borne out of coaching — to pass through.

“This is clearly political and the product of coaching. I will not allow these perjurious statements to pass unchallenged. I will not let this slide,” he said.

“I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name,” he maintained.

“I welcome a fair, transparent and impartial investigation to expose these falsehoods. I voluntarily resigned as speaker of the House of Representatives precisely to demonstrate my full support for the inquiry into flood control issues,” he added.

Romualdez also noted that he will counter malicious accusations, noting that he remained silent only out of respect for the process.

“I remained silent out of respect for the process, but now that my name has been maliciously dragged into this controversy. I will fight back — not with rhetoric, but with evidence. I’ve never stolen public funds. I don’t need money that comes from evil sources,” he said.

“To the Filipino people, I give you this solemn assurance: I will never betray your trust,” he added.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Thursday, Guteza stated that he had delivered money to the home of Romualdez, which was allegedly intended as kickbacks from government projects.

Guteza said he was assigned to carry and deliver luggage containing “basura” — a term for piles of money, approximately amounting to more or less P48 million each — to certain locations.

Guteza said he used to report every day at the 56th floor of Horizon Residences in Bonifacio Global City, where Co resides. However, whenever he is assigned to “garbage” duty, they usually go to 28th Lady Bug corner Dragonfly Street in Valle Verde 6, Pasig City.

According to Guteza, during each “garbage duty,” certain individuals are expected to deliver suitcases containing money, which in return will be received by John Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay, both of whom were Co’s executive assistants.

“What usually happens when we are on duty with the ‘garbage’ is that it is often brought to Congressman Zaldy Co’s house in Valle Verde 6, where it is received by Mark and Paul,” said Guteza.

“For example, we brought up 46 suitcases, but we would bring down only 35 suitcases to deliver to the houses of House Speaker Martin Romualdez at 42 McKinley Street, Taguig. The 11 suitcases were left upstairs on the 56th floor of Horizon Residences,” he testified.

“Approximately three times, I myself delivered the ‘garbage’ to Congressman Zaldy Co’s unit at Horizon Residences and to the houses of Speaker Romualdez at 42 McKinley Street, Taguig,” Guteza recalled.

The investigations of alleged corruption in flood control projects — and protest movements against such activities — sprung in light of revelations regarding an alleged extensive kickback scheme in the government’s infrastructure programs.

The spotlight on flood control projects came after Marcos’ speech at his fourth State of the Nation Address, where he condemned government officials and firms who allegedly earned kickbacks at the expense of people suffering from heavy flooding even during mild rain showers.

Marcos said these officials and contractors should be ashamed of themselves.

Eventually, Marcos inspected different flood control projects that were labeled completed, which he later found out to be either substandard or completely non-existent.

The flood control scandal has affected Congress’ leadership.

Last September 8, former Senate President Francis Escudero was replaced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, after Escudero was criticized for receiving a P30 million campaign donation in 2022 from a contractor whose firm had secured numerous government infrastructure projects.

In the House, Romualdez relinquished his post last September 17 to allow an independent commission to probe his alleged involvement.

Romualdez has not been connected to any of the top companies doing the flood control projects, but he was one of the lawmakers named by contractor-couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the projects.

Romualdez called out the Discaya couple’s claims, calling it “false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping.”