Jinggoy Estrada Sues Brice Hernandez Over False Claims
JINGGOY ESTRADA — The senator has filed a perjury case against Brice Ericson Hernandez, the former assistant district engineer of Bulacan’s first engineering district, at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. The complaint was filed after Hernandez accused Estrada of being involved in irregular flood control projects.
During a House Infrastructure Committee hearing, Hernandez claimed that both Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva received a 30% “SOP” or kickback from certain flood control projects included in the 2025 national budget. He alleged that Estrada inserted ₱355 million worth of projects and took a portion of the funds as commission.
Estrada strongly denied all the accusations, calling them “kathang-isip at gawa-gawa” (made up and untrue). He explained that any project listed in the 2025 General Appropriations Act cannot automatically be linked to a specific senator. To prove his honesty, Estrada challenged Hernandez to a public lie detector test, saying he has nothing to hide and is ready to face the truth.
The senator personally went to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office at 9:15 a.m. to file the case, saying he wanted to protect his name from false and damaging accusations.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced the dismissal of two officials from the same Bulacan district office — Construction Section Chief Jaypee Mendoza and Accountant Juanito Mendoza — for grave misconduct, neglect of duty, and disloyalty. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said their dismissal carries a lifetime ban from public service, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and cancellation of civil service eligibility, adding that they may still face other criminal or civil cases.
Estrada expressed confidence that the truth will prevail, urging the public not to believe baseless accusations made for personal or political gain.
Related Post: Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva Named by DPWH Engineer in Flood Control Scam