Senator Joel Villanueva denied any involvement in the alleged P600-million insertion in the 2023 unprogrammed budget for Bulacan flood control projects.
He called the accusations baseless and said ordinary senators have no power over unprogrammed funds, which are controlled by agencies like the DBM and DPWH.
The claims surfaced after former DPWH assistant engineer Brice Hernandez linked Villanueva to a supposed 30 percent kickback scheme, which Villanueva strongly rejected.
Villanueva said he feels like a “punching bag” and accused political interests of trying to use him as a scapegoat.
He vowed to file a lawsuit against those making the allegations and to clear his name in court.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 20, 2025
