'Wala akong tinanggap': Flood control accusations hearsay, based on rumors — Estrada
By Dhel Nazario
At A Glance
- Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada dismissed the accusations thrown against him related to the anomalous flood control projects as hearsay and based on rumors.
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada dismissed the accusations thrown against him related to the anomalous flood control projects as hearsay and based on rumors.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada (Mark Balmores/MB)
Estrada said this in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 29, following the Independent Commission for Infrastructure's (ICI) recommendation to file charges against him and several other lawmakers before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
"Wala akong tinanggap na anumang pondong nakalaan para sa mga flood control projects, at kaya kong patunayan ito sa hukuman. Ang mga paratang laban sa akin ay pawang hearsay o batay lamang sa sabi-sabi (Wala akong tinanggap na anumang pondong nakalaan para sa mga flood control projects, at kaya kong patunayan ito sa hukuman. Ang mga paratang laban sa akin ay pawang hearsay o batay lamang sa sabi-sabi)," Estrada said.
"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 (I am ready to defend myself and go through any legal process to prove that I am telling the truth and have remained faithful to my duty as a public servant)," he added.
The ICI has recommended the filing of bribery and plunder charges against Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan 2nd District representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy for their supposed involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
The body has also recommended charges against Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
Estrada said that the recommendation of the ICI does not weaken his resolve to prove that he has done nothing wrong, and that he welcomes every opportunity to clear his name before the proper forum.
"Justice must be served not through speculation, but through truth and due process," he added.