A former DPWH assistant district engineer testified before the House that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva allegedly took 30 percent kickbacks from Bulacan flood control projects worth nearly ₱1 billion, claims both lawmakers strongly denied.
Estrada challenged his accuser, Brice Hernandez, to a lie detector test, while Villanueva labeled the allegation a demolition job and presented documents of questioning failed flood projects.
Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya also admitted being forced to pay off officials for projects to proceed, though lawmakers pressed him to limit his testimony to 2022–2023 despite long years of contracts.
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto further detailed the Discayas’ alleged violations, accusing them of amassing vast wealth through dummy firms and tax deficiencies while winning over ₱100 billion in DPWH contracts.
Sotto warned lawmakers to scrutinize the couple’s claims, saying their testimonies mixed truth with lies to confuse investigators.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 10, 2025
