Senator Jinggoy Estrada strongly denied the allegations about his involvement in some construction project kickbacks in Bulacan, stating he did not commit any illegal act.

In a press conference on Tuesday, September 9, Estrada questioned whether he would still actively participate in the investigation if he himself is involved in the said issue.

“That's common sense. I should have abstained from this hearing. Malakas ang loob ko dahil...I did not commit any illegal act," he said.

The senator also addressed the recent photo presented at the House Infra Committee hearing, showing him and District Engineer Henry Alcantara all smiles for the camera. The photo in question was taken during Estrada’s 60th birthday, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez said.

"I do not know. I cannot recall that event. Pero sa dami naman [ng] nagpapa-picture sa akin, hindi ko naman pwedeng tanggihan. Eh kung drug lord 'yun, gambling lord, malay ko naman kung drug lord 'yun o gambling lord. Eh hindi ko naman matatanggihan kung sino nagpapa-picture sa akin. Remember, we are all public figures here," the senator emphasized.

Hernandez earlier clarified that although the two individuals were photographed together, it might be because Alcantara was just a fan, stating, “Sabi po nila hindi po sila magkakilala, baka naman po fan lang siya.”

Estrada announced that he is planning on filing charges against Hernandez, citing the latter's “evil intentions” after the senator cited him in contempt during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

"I really do not know kung anong intention nitong si Brice Hernandez. Ang feeling ko lang talagang [he] wants to get even with me because I was the one who cited him in contempt. And nakita mo naman, napakasinungaling ng taong na 'yun. I asked him kung siya 'yung 'Marvin de Guzman,' alias, yung ginagamit niya alias sa paglaro sa casino," Estrada highlighted.

"Dine-deny niya, eh mukha niya yung nandun. Ang laki-laki magpatalo sa casino niyan. Ilan daang milyon kung magpatalo sa casino niyan. Saan niya kinukuha yung pera?" he added.

Hernandez earlier named Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and District Engineer Henry Alcantara as the officials involved in the flood control project anomalies. He furthered that Estrada dumped P355 million for some project kickbacks in Bulacan, while Villanueva gave out P600 million.