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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto: Up to Estrada, Villanueva if they want to answer kickback claims in Blue Ribbon probe

Sotto: Up to Estrada, Villanueva if they want to answer kickback claims in Blue Ribbon probe

Published Sep 13, 2025 11:48 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is leaving it up to Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva whether or not they would participate in the Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation on the flood control projects controversy.
Senators Jinggoy Estrada (left), Joel Villanueva (Facebook)
Senators Jinggoy Estrada (left), Joel Villanueva (Facebook)


Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is leaving it up to Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva whether or not they would participate in the Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation on the flood control projects controversy.
This, as Sotto further justified in an interview on Saturday, Sept. 13 the continuation of the panel's probe despite the recent formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
There have been calls for both the Senate and the House of Representatives to halt their respective investigations on the corruption scandal in light of the ICI's existence.
"Madaling sabihin yun, pero ano gusto niyo sabihin, pagtakpan na lang namin mga kasama namin? Samantalang kung magkakaroon ng hearing itong mga kasama namin, may pagkakataon na harapin ang mga nagbibintang na ito," Sotto said.
(That’s easy to say, but what do you want people to say, that we'll just cover up for our colleagues? Whereas, if we conduct a hearing, our colleagues will get the chance to face their accusers.)
This notwithstanding, Sotto won't force either Estrada or Villanueva to join the proceedings.
"Yeah at we will leave up to them kung gusto nila participate (if they want to participate). Sila ay bahagi ng Senado (They are part of the Senate)," he said.
Over in the House of Representatives, during the Infrastructure Committee's (infra comm) hearing, former Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez linked Villanueva and Estrada to flood control projects in the province worth almost P1 billion.
Hernandez, in the bombshell Sept. 9 hearing, claimed that the two senators allegedly received 30 percent of that amount in kickbacks through former district engineer Henry Alcantara.
Sotto admitted to feeling sad about the implication of his two fellow senators in the controversy.
"Oo, nakakalungkot na ang Senado ay napagbibintangan ng kung anu-ano...ayaw natin yun kaya yun ang isa sa mga dahilan ng mga kasama kaya ginusto magkaroon ng pagbabago. Hopefully mapatino image ng Senado."
(Yes, it's saddening that the Senate is being accused of various this...we don't want that, and that is one of the reasons why our colleagues wanted to see change. Hopefully the Senate's image will be improved.)
Lacson a good fit for Blue Ribbon
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee held a hearing on the same topic a day earlier, on Sept. 8. At that time, Senator Rodante Marcoleta was still the panel chairman.
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has since been installed as the new chairman.
Sotto, who took over the Senate Presidency from Francis "Chiz" Escudero just before this, said he believes Lacson can shepherd the probe excellently.
"Bagay na bagay. Napakagaling na imbestigador ni Senator Lacson, di nagbibigay ng alegasyon na walang ebidensya, nasaan ang resibo. Magiging maayos ang imbestigasyon ng Blue Ribbon."
(It's a good fit. Senator Lacson is an exceptional investigator, he doesn't make allegations without any evidence, where are the receipts. The Blue Ribbon's investigation will be handled properly.)
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