2 senators tagged in questionable flood control projects

09 September, 2025 | By Zydore Matthew R. Talabong

Former Bulacan Assistant District Engr. Brice Ericson Hernandez accused Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Joel Villanueva of benefitting from questionable flood control projects worth nearly one billion.

Testifying before the House of Representatives (HOR) infra-committee, Hernandez also linked Usec. Robert Bernardo and District Engr. Henry Alcantara to the alleged anomalies.

Hernandez claimed that Estrada allocated P355 million in 2025 for projects in Bulacan, while Senator Villanueva released P600 million, with both of them allegedly receiving a 30% share from the flood control projects.

Hernandez then gave a breakdown of the projects for which Estrada allegedly made P355 million worth of insertions:

Construction of Flood Mitigating Structure with Pumping Station and Floodgate Phase III, Barangay Mercado, Hagonoy Bulacan (P60 million)

Construction of Flood Mitigating Structure with Pumping Station and Floodgate at Mambog Creek, Phase III, Malolos, Bulacan (P45 million)

Construction of Flood Mitigating Structure with Pumping Station and Floodgate, Phase III, Barangay Iba, Hagonoy Bulacan (P60 million)

Construction of Flood Mitigating Structure with Pumping Station at Calero Creek. Phase 3, Malolos City, Bulacan (P50 million)

Construction of Flood Control Structure including Pumping Station and Floodgate. Phase 3, Barangay Meyto, Calumpit Bulacan (P60 million)

Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure with Pumping Station and Floodgate at Barangay Santo Rosario Creek, Phase III, Malolos City, Bulacan (P40 million)

Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure including Pumping Station and Floodgate Phase III, Barangay Carillo, Hagonoy, Bulacan (P40 million)

Following this, Mr. Hernandez also listed down where Villanueva allegedly used P600 million:

Rehabilitation of flood control structure along Balagtas River, Barangay Panginay, Phase III, Balagtas, Bulacan (P75 million)

Construction of Bocaue River flood mitigation structure, Station 12, +589 to Station 12, +739 at Barangay Bambang, Bocaue, Bulacan (P75 million)

Construction of Bocaue River Flood Mitigation Structure at Station 4, +204 to Station 4 +354 at Barangay Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan (P75 million)

Construction of Bocaue River Flood Mitigation Structure at Station 3 +036 to Station 3 +236 at Barangay Kaingin, Bocaue, Bulacan (P75 million)

Construction of Bocaue River flood mitigation structure at Station 5 +466 to Station 5 +667 at Barangay Bunlo, Bocaue, Bulacan (P75 million)

Construction of Balagtas River Flood Mitigation Structure at Station 3 +533 to Station 3 +683 at Barangay Santol, Balagtas, Bulacan (P75 million)

Construction of Balagtas River Flood Mitigation Structure at Station 14 +124 to Station 14 + 274 at Barangay San Juan, Balagtas, Bulacan (P75 million)

Estrada strongly denied the accusations, challenging Hernandez to undergo a lie detector test which according to him, “talk is cheap.” 

Meanwhile, Senator Villanueva has yet to respond to the claims made by Hernandez.