The situation, in brief
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez has implicated Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joel Villanueva in alleged irregularities involving flood control projects. The revelation came during the House Infrastructure Committee…
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez has implicated Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joel Villanueva in alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.
The revelation came during the House Infrastructure Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 9, where Hernandez detailed supposed profit-sharing and delivery of funds tied to congressional allocations.
In his testimony, Hernandez agreed with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson that DPWH engineers had been reduced to acting as “legmen” or “bagmen.”
“Kung tatanungin niyo po ako kung sino o kanino kami naging bagman, sasagutin ko na po ngayon,” Hernandez said, before naming Estrada, Villanueva, Undersecretary Robert Bernardo, and District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
“Sabi ni Senator (Rodante) Marcoleta kahapon (kay Senator Jinggoy), ligtas ka na. Hindi po ito totoo,” he said.
According to Hernandez, Senator Estrada allegedly funneled ₱355 million to several projects in Bulacan in 2025, with a 30% “commitment” attached to the allocation.
“Si Senator Jinggoy po ay nagbaba ng P355 million ngayong 2025 sa mga ilang projects sa Bulacan. Ang sabi po ng boss ko dito, 30% po ang commitment dito dinelever ito noong lumabas ang item na ito sa GAA, mga driver namin sa DPWH Bulacan 1st ang nag-deliver,” he said.
He said the funds were delivered after the item appeared in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), with DPWH Bulacan 1st District drivers tasked to deliver the money under the instructions of District Engineer Alcantara.
“Noong 2023 naman, ay naglabas ng P600 million si Senator Joel Villanueva, ang SOP nito ay 30% din,” Hernandez said.
“Binigay din ito noong lumabas sa GAA at dineliver sa bahay niya sa bocaue ni DE Alcantara at dating hepe ng aming construction, si Engineer Jaypee Mendoza,” he added.
The former assistant district engineer described Alcantara as the “chief implementor” of these transactions, responsible for negotiating with politicians.
He alleged Alcantara retained at least three percent of all projects coursed through their office and even instructed contractors to give an additional two percent “finder’s fee” if they wanted more projects in the future.
