Escudero, Binay, Olaivar deny role in flood control irregularities
FROM LEFT: Senator Francis Escudero, former Senator Nancy Binay, and Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar. PHOTOS FROM SENATE PRIB/INQUIRER/DEPED
MANILA, Philippines—Denials and a threat of legal action came quickly from the government officials implicated on Thursday by a former public works undersecretary who confessed involvement in irregularities behind flood control projects.
Sen. Francis Escudero denounced the claims made under oath by Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as part of a “well-orchestrated” attack on the Senate.
READ: Escudero, Revilla, Binay in flood control mess – ex-DPWH exec
In a statement issued shortly after Bernardo’s testimony at the Senate blue ribbon committee, Escudero noted that the witness himself stated in his affidavit that they never had any direct contact.
“It seems like there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators,” said Escudero in a statement.
“Is it really just senators being tagged here?! Where is Zaldy Co? Where is Rep. Martin Romualdez in all of this?! Where are his accomplices?! If we go by Usec. Bernardo’s testimony, they are all innocent—and that’s hard to believe,” Escudero said.
Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co was actually among the names mentioned by Bernardo in his testimony.
Escudero said he would be suing Bernardo, stressing: “For more than 27 years in public service, I have never once been charged with corruption. That record speaks for itself. I believe that when all the facts are revealed, my name and my service will remain untarnished.”
‘Shocked, saddened’
Former senator and now Makati Mayor Nancy Binay on Thursday also denied any hand in anomalous infrastructure deals.
“I am shocked and saddened that I am being implicated in the anomalies within the DPWH. The accusations against me are not true,’’ Binay said, referring to Bernardo’s testimony.
“We have been quietly doing our work as mayor of Makati. It is surprising that we are being used to divert attention from those who should truly be held accountable in this issue,’’ said Binay, who served two consecutive terms as senator before being elected mayor in May.
Going on leave
Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar also washed his hands off Bernardo’s allegations and said he would go on leave so he could fully cooperate in any investigation.
“To allow a fair inquiry, I will voluntarily take a leave of absence from my post and am ready to fully cooperate with any and all proceedings,” he said in a statement.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara, in a separate statement, “assured the public that the Department of Education upholds the highest standards of integrity in all our work.”
