Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, September 11, that an employee of WJ Construction was allegedly seen inside the Senate premises.
WJ Construction, previously tagged in several anomalous flood control projects, was named by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez. Hernandez claimed that the firm had been giving “kickbacks” to a Senate employee identified as “Beng Ramos,” who is reportedly connected to Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
“As we speak, mayroon kaming CCTV footage na dumalaw dito ang WJ. Ang pangalan Mina,” Lacson said.
He added, “Ipapatawag namin para nalaman natin kung kaninong office siya nagpunta at sino ang kinausap niya para maliwanag whether or not staff ng Blue Ribbon o legislature ang pinuntahan.”
According to Lacson, the Senate will subpoena the CCTV operator to testify in the upcoming Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
“Ipapa-subpoena ang in-charge sa CCTV dito para siya ang mag-testify. Makikita sa CCTV pero mas mainam na formally i-testify noong operator ng CCTV kung saang opisina,” Lacson stated.
The next Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, now chaired by Lacson, is scheduled for Thursday, September 18.