‘Attack’ on Senate: Escudero, Binay push back vs flood control fund accusations
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Chiz Escudero on Thursday, September 25, slammed the corruption allegations thrown against him by a former Department of Public Works (DPWH) executive, calling it an attack on the Senate.
Aside from Escudero, former senator and current Makati Mayor Nancy Binay was also accused of being involved in the DPWH kickback scheme. She has similarly denied all the accusations.
In former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s sworn affidavit, he alleged that Escudero had a 20% kickback from P800 million projects, which was equal to around P160 million. Meanwhile, Binay allegedly received P37 million in kickbacks, according to Bernardo.
“By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter. I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement. It seems like there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators,” Escudero said in a statement.
Escudero asked why Rep. Zaldy Co and Rep. Martin Romualdez were not being questioned.
The former Senate president reiterated that he was ready to prove his innocence.
In a separate statement, Binay said she was surprised by the allegations thrown at her.
“Tahimik po tayong nagtatrabaho bilang Mayor ng Makati. Nakakagulat na nagagamit tayo para ipanglihis sa mga tunay na kailangan panagutin sa issue na ito,” Binay said in a tweet.
(I am quietly working as the Mayor of Makati, It is surprising that I am being used to distract from those who truly need to be held accountable in this issue.)
While Escudero has questioned why House lawmakers are not questioned, several Lower chamber legislators were later accused of orchastrating kickback schemes.
Rep. Zaldy Co’s former security aide Orly Guteza accused his employer and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez of laundering billions of pesos of ill-gotten wealth.
Guteza also accused ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Eric Yap of delivering money to Co.
Yap has denied these allegations as well.
“I categorically deny any involvement in the acts being alleged. I have never accepted, nor authorized, the delivery of money in connection with flood control projects. These claims are untrue,” Yap said in a statement.
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