Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senator Jinggoy Estrada have both declared their readiness to open their bank accounts for scrutiny, following allegations that they benefited from funds intended for flood control projects.
The accusations were made by former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, who previously linked several lawmakers to the misuse of project allocations.
Estrada, in a privilege speech delivered at the Senate on Monday, September 15, said he had nothing to hide.
“Ako, I’m open to any investigation. In fact, Mr. President, ngayon pa lang kahit hindi pa nagko-commence ang Blue Ribbon Committee ni Sen. (Ping) Lacson, ngayon pa lang, I’m willing to sign any waiver to open my bank accounts, that’ll be put that into record,” Estrada stated.
Villanueva, meanwhile, echoed the same sentiment in an ambush interview.
“We have been consistent ever since. In fact, we have a bill for government officials na dapat naka-waive yung (bank account)… I was just elected as Committee on Banks Chair when we passed it,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Accountability, Public Officers and Investigations—more commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee—under its new chair, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, is set to hold another hearing this week to further probe the controversy.