Prominent lawyer Atty. Raymond Fortun has revealed the existence of a document allegedly linking six senators, including four incumbent lawmakers such as Senator Joel Villanueva and Senator Jinggoy Estrada, to a growing controversy involving flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In an interview on One News’ #Storycon, Fortun disclosed that the document came directly from the computer of his client, former DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez. According to him, the findings could expand beyond the initial six names.
“The list can actually be longer, because Brice said there are more inside that computer,” Fortun explained.
The disclosure comes amid heightened scrutiny over alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects, particularly those tied to flood control initiatives across various provinces. Questions have been raised over budget allocations, implementation delays, and the selection of contractors.
Fortun said the document provides detailed references to supposed transactions and allocations connected to the senators. He added that the material had not yet been formally submitted to the Senate or the Office of the Ombudsman, but may soon be used in ongoing investigations.
The lawyer emphasized that Hernandez only served as a whistleblower, claiming his client never personally profited from the scheme. “He was in a position to see the flow of documents and the irregularities. That is why he came forward,” Fortun said.
Villanueva and Estrada denied the accusations made against them, with people close to the senators calling the claims “highly questionable” and “politically motivated.” The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will still review Hernandez’s testimony and decide if the files from his computer should be included in the probe.
Analysts note that the controversy could further erode public trust in government infrastructure spending, particularly as flood control projects are considered vital in disaster-prone areas of the Philippines. Transparency advocates have called for immediate disclosure of the names mentioned in the files and a full forensic audit of the DPWH database to establish the authenticity of the documents.
As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits to see whether the allegations will spark broader accountability measures—or remain yet another unresolved chapter in the country’s long history of corruption scandals.