Mina Elamparo-Jose of WJ Construction has strongly denied allegations made by dismissed former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, who accused her of personally delivering money to Senator Jinggoy Estrada inside the Senate.
Appearing before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee led by Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, Jose branded the accusations as baseless and malicious.
“I have never engaged in any illegal activity, I have never given nor received any money from any public official or government employee including this Mr. Brice Hernandez,” Jose declared.
She explained that her presence in the Senate was unrelated to any alleged payoff, but simply to check the damaged veranda in Senator Erwin Tulfo’s office.
“Mr. Chair, the only time that I learned of the WJ Construction was through a staff of mine na recommended this group to fix my veranda on the fifth floor, but when upon learning her name was mentioned by Engr. Brice (Hernandez), we immediately requested to cancel all contracts with WJ,” Tulfo clarified during the hearing.
Jose added that she also took the opportunity to meet with her friend Beng Ramos, a staff member of the Blue Ribbon Committee Oversight Office Management (BROOM), who had been wrongfully tagged by Hernandez as Estrada’s staff.
“It was just my intention to see my friend especially when I heard that Beng is suffering from cancer and I haven’t seen her in a long time so I thought it was an opportunity for me to also visit her,” Jose said.
Estrada had earlier denied any link to Ramos or any involvement in Hernandez’s allegations.