Senator Jinggoy Estrada has vehemently denied his alleged involvement in the flood control project anomalies as cited in the recommendation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a public statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, October 29, Estrada asserted that he did not receive any funds related to flood control projects.
“Wala akong tinanggap na anumang pondong nakalaan para sa mga flood control projects, at kaya kong patunayan ito sa hukuman,” Estrada said. “Ang mga paratang laban sa akin ay pawang hearsay o batay lamang sa sabi-sabi.”
He emphasized that he is ready to defend himself and prove his innocence through proper legal procedures.
“Handa akong ipagtanggol ang aking sarili at dumaan sa anumang proseso ng batas upang patunayan na nagsasabi ako ng totoo at nanatiling tapat sa aking tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan,” the senator stated. “Lilinisin ko ang aking pangalan, at buo ang aking tiwala na sa tamang panahon, mananaig ang katotohanan.”
Estrada said the ICI’s recommendation does not discourage him but instead strengthens his determination to clear his name before the proper authorities.
“The recommendation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) does not weaken my resolve to prove that I have done nothing wrong. I welcome every opportunity to clear my name before the proper forum,” he said. “Justice must be served not through speculation, but through truth and due process.”
The ICI earlier recommended the filing of plunder, bribery, and corruption charges against Estrada, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva, former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, and several others in connection with the alleged flood control scam.
Estrada is no stranger to corruption allegations. He was previously detained in 2001 over alleged jueteng payoffs when he was San Juan City mayor, alongside his father, former President Joseph Estrada. He was later released.
In 2014, he was detained again in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, but was temporarily released in 2017 and eventually acquitted in 2024 after the court dismissed the case.