MANILA – Senator Joel Villanueva on Tuesday denied any involvement in alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan, saying his name was being dragged into the controversy as part of a demolition job by syndicates.

“Mr. President wala po akong flood control projects,” Villanueva said in a privilege speech at the Senate. “Hindi ko po sasabihin na I categorically deny this accusation dahil po may resibo po tayo. Meron pong pwedeng iberipika kung bakit po ito nangyayari.”

Villanueva recalled that since 2023 he had repeatedly raised questions about flood control programs in the Senate and during committee hearings. He cited his earlier visit to Calumpit, Bulacan with local officials, where he criticized the government’s flood control initiatives. He noted that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later described the same projects as inadequate.

“Paulit-ulit P1.4 bilyon ang budget ng gobyerno pero nasaan po itong flood control na ito,” Villanueva said.

The senator alleged that powerful groups were behind efforts to link him to ghost projects, invoking a name mentioned by Senate President Francis Escudero. “Walang iba kundi si Dracula na ginawang tagapagbantay ng Kamara doon po sa national blood bank natin,” he said.

Villanueva added that he had affidavits from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel in Bulacan which he planned to bring before the Senate committee of Senator Rodante Marcoleta. He claimed these documents may have triggered the attempt to implicate him.

“Hindi po tayo natatakot sa mga ganitong uri ng demolition job. Handa rin po tayong madungisan ang ating pangalan kung ito naman po ang magliligtas sa ating mga kababayan at tuldok sa unli-baha,” he said.

Villanueva stressed he was willing to face any investigation to clear his name. “Uulitin ko po Mr. President, hindi lang po categorically denying yung binabatong putik sa atin at para dumihan ang ating pangalan. May resibo po tayo. Madaling beripikahin. Tayo po ay more than willing mag-undergo at sumali sa anumang imbestigasyon sapagkat wala po tayong tinatago,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating his commitment to serve Bulakenyos affected by perennial flooding. “My duty has always been to serve our kababayans lalong lalo na po ang mga kababayan kong Bulakenyo who suffer flooding year after year. That is where my focus remain, Mr. President. Finding real solutions, not engaging in black propaganda,” Villanueva said.