Contractor explains senate visit: It was for Senator Tulfo's leaky terrace
• A contractor from W.J. Construction, a firm linked to anomalous flood control projects, visited the Senate for a supposed "office refurbishment" project for Senator Erwin Tulfo
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• During a Senate hearing, the contractor denied allegations from a witness that she provided kickbacks to government officials
• Senator Tulfo confirmed the visit but said he immediately ordered the cancellation of the contract upon learning of the allegations against the company
• The contractor also denied any transactions with a staff member of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was also implicated by the witness
A representative of a construction firm embroiled in a multi-billion-peso flood control project controversy explained her presence at the Senate, claiming her visit was to address a personal project for Senator Erwin Tulfo—a leaking office terrace.
Source: Instagram
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Mina Elamparo-Jose of W.J. Construction made the surprising revelation during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday.
The Senate panel, now chaired by Senator Ping Lacson, had earlier announced its intention to summon a representative of the construction firm after she was seen visiting the Senate in August.
The committee sought to determine the purpose of the visit and who she met, amid allegations of corruption in government flood control projects.
In her testimony, Jose denied any involvement in illegal activities, including allegations made by former Bulacan assistant engineer Brice Hernandez.
Hernandez had previously claimed in a House of Representatives hearing that he received money from W.J. Construction as a share of "kickbacks" from the flood control funds.
"As for myself, I speak from the depth of my heart that I have never engaged in any illegal activity. I have never given nor received any money from any public official or government employee, including this Mr. Brice Hernandez," Jose stated before the committee.
She also denied that her company had any "ghost" or substandard flood control projects.
Jose confirmed that her August 19 visit was indeed to Senator Tulfo's office for an ocular inspection related to a refurbishment project.
"Meron po kasing problem ‘yung terrace ni Senator Erwin na binabaha po siya lalo po ‘pag umuulan. So ako po yung na-refer na contractor nung staff niya na kung puwede po tingnan namin, gawan ng solusyon and mag-suggest po kami sa kaniya," she explained.
Senator Tulfo corroborated Jose's account, stating he only learned of W.J. Construction after a staff member recommended the firm to work on his office's terrace.
He added, however, that upon learning of the allegations against the company from Engineer Hernandez, he "immediately requested to cancel all contracts with W.J. where I specifically ordered to terminate our office refurbishment project with W.J."
Jose also addressed a separate allegation from Hernandez, who claimed that the contractor had a transaction with Senator Jinggoy Estrada through a staff member named "Beng Ramos."
Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who was seated next to Estrada, asked Jose if she knew Estrada personally or if she had given him money. Jose replied, "Hindi po. Kahit kay Brice, wala po akong dinalang pera."
Following her answer, Marcoleta remarked to Estrada, "Okay. so talagang safe ka na." Estrada had earlier denied receiving any kickbacks and maintained that he had no staff named Beng Ramos.
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In other news, BDO denied claims by client Maria Jamila Cristiana Gonzales Berenguer of unauthorized transactions, calling them baseless. The bank said its investigation showed a password reset and device registration on September 14 validated through OTP sent to the client’s registered device. BDO emphasized that transactions through BDO Pay need a PIN or biometrics not an OTP and that transfer limits were not bypassed. The bank assured its system remains secure urged clients to heed official alerts and reminded the public that deposits are insured by PDIC and regulated by BSP.
Still in other news, a lawyer, Joshua Lavega Abrina, was shot and killed by an unidentified assailant outside his home in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The victim had just arrived from a prayer meeting with his family when the attack occurred. The Supreme Court, through Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, strongly condemned the "senseless act of violence." The IBP Palawan Chapter stated that the lawyer's death is not an isolated case and reflects a "growing culture of impunity and lawlessness."
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
