Villar, Poe, Angara deny Bernardo's DPWH kickback allegations
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar and two former senators on Friday denied allegations linking them to kickback schemes in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), after a former key official implicated them during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
At the public hearing on Friday, November 14, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo expanded the list of personalities allegedly involved in the flood control fund scheme, naming Villar, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and former senators Grace Poe and Ramon Revilla, as well as their supposed intermediaries.
Villar's response. Villar, for one, rejected Bernardo’s accusations, calling them fabricated.
“I vehemently and categorically deny the accusations made today in the Blue Ribbon Committee. Isa po itong malaking kasinungalingan. I ask the public to be discerning and not to rush judgment based solely on a person’s affidavit, which may be manufactured or tailored fit for his or other people’s convenience,” Villar said.
“I stand by my untarnished record as a long-serving public servant as a Representative, DPWH Secretary, and Senator of this Republic,” he added.
Bernardo had tagged Villar through his cousin, Carlo Aguilar. Aguilar and former DPWH undersecretary Cathy Cabral allegedly aided a kickback operation, in which Villar supposedly received 50%.
Villar served as the DPWH secretary for the majority of the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Poe expresses alarm. In a separate statement, Poe also said that she was “saddened” by the developments, saying she would refer the matter to the Department of Justice.
“I support the investigations, that is why I was the first to attend the ICI (Independent Infrastructure for Commission) proceedings. It's alarming that my name was mentioned today. I have never been involved in corruption, this I can clearly say to all Filipinos,” Poe said.
Angara's denial. Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who is also accused through his Trygve Olaivar, supposedly part of his staff, also denied the accusations.
"We reject any insinuation made today that we were involved in anomalous projects. In my 21 years in government we have never been involved in corruption,” Angara said.
The Senate inquiry continues as more names surface in the widening DPWH flood control corruption probe.
Estrada hits back. Estrada, who was also named by former DPWH engineer Bryce Hernandez in the kickback scheme, also slammed Bernardo's accusation, calling it a diversionary tactic. He argued there was no proof that he had gotten a cut from the budget.
The senator questioned why his name was suddenly included in Bernardo's testimony, as it was not there in his first statement at the Senate.
"I will pursue every available legal remedy against those who persist in spreading false, defamatory, and malicious statements," Estrada said.
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