The Philippine Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee has thrust the spotlight on one of the nation’s most pressing infrastructure scandals: anomalous flood control projects that have left billions in public funds under scrutiny. As of September 20, 2025, the ongoing hearings—resumed on September 15 and continued through September 18—have implicated high-profile figures, sparked contempt citations, and exposed systemic flaws in budget allocations. At Greyhawk Forensics, where we specialize in uncovering digital footprints in complex investigations, these developments underscore the critical role of advanced forensics in rooting out corruption. With flood-prone areas like Bulacan at the epicenter, this probe isn’t just about mismanaged projects—it’s a call for transparency in an era where digital evidence can make or break accountability.
The Hearings Unfold: Key Revelations and Tensions
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, has been dissecting the flood control mess since earlier this year, focusing on projects in Bulacan that allegedly ballooned from P34 billion in unprogrammed funds in 2023 to P107.9 billion in 2024. Central to the September 18 hearing was former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, who alleged that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva received 30% kickbacks from these projects.
Hernandez’s testimony painted a picture of systemic graft: contractors allegedly paying “standard rates” of 30% to legislators for project insertions, with text messages and photos corroborating cash handovers in paper bags and boxes. The hearing turned dramatic when former Bulacan engineer Henry Alcantara was cited for contempt after initially denying involvement in a photo showing cash packing—only to later admit he was the man in question, claiming it was for “documents.” Senator Erwin Tulfo pressed Alcantara on his lavish lifestyle, including receiving two luxury cars and gambling millions, raising questions about unreported income.
Both Estrada and Villanueva vehemently denied the allegations, with Lacson clarifying they “have not been cleared” and emphasizing the burden of proof on Hernandez. Former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy was also implicated, allegedly receiving P16.5 million, but she dismissed it as a “baseless smear,” noting her district’s projects were unrelated to Bulacan.
Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Rolando Toledo confirmed the use of unprogrammed funds for these projects, which Senator Sherwin Gatchalian lambasted as turning into a “pork barrel” due to lack of line-item transparency. Public frustration boiled over on social media, with users decrying the hearings as “drama” that spares higher-ups like House Speaker Martin Romualdez while targeting “small fish.”
Systemic Failures: From Funds to Floods
The probe reveals deeper rot in flood control efforts. Despite P107.9 billion allocated in 2024, the Philippines remains one of Asia’s most flood-vulnerable nations, with 2025’s monsoon season already claiming lives and displacing thousands in Metro Manila and Bulacan. Critics argue that ghost projects and kickbacks have diverted funds from critical infrastructure, exacerbating climate vulnerabilities.
Lacson has vowed to continue the hearings, with the next session potentially summoning more witnesses, including DPWH officials. Yet, as one X user noted, the process risks becoming “hearing lang ng hearing” without real accountability.
The Digital Forensics Angle: Uncovering Hidden Trails
At Greyhawk Forensics, we see these scandals as prime examples of how digital evidence can expose corruption. Flood control probes often involve electronic trails—emails, bank transfers, and metadata from project bids—that traditional audits miss. Our Jera AI 4.0, trained on Philippine-specific patterns, excels at anomaly detection in financial data, flagging irregularities like unexplained fund insertions.
For instance, Jera AI’s behavioral analytics could cross-reference text messages from witnesses like Hernandez with transaction logs, revealing patterns of kickbacks. In a hypothetical integration with Senate probes, our tools could map fund flows geo-spatially, linking projects in Bulacan to legislative insertions—ensuring DPA-compliant, tamper-proof analysis.
We’ve supported similar investigations by providing forensic audits that preserve chain-of-custody for digital artifacts, turning vague allegations into irrefutable evidence. As Lacson pushes for deeper scrutiny, tools like ours could accelerate justice, preventing future “floods of corruption.”
A Path Forward: Accountability and Resilience
The Senate’s probe must evolve beyond spectacle to systemic reform—tighter oversight on unprogrammed funds, mandatory digital audits, and whistleblower protections. Public calls echo this: “Hayaan natin sa kanila ang pag-imbestiga,” but with transparency to rebuild trust.
Greyhawk Forensics stands ready to assist. Whether auditing project data or training investigators through our CERTIFIED CSI+ program, we’re committed to truth in governance. Contact us at +63 9476265743 or info@greyhawkforensics.online for a consultation on digital forensics for public sector probes.
In the fight against corruption, every byte counts. Let’s ensure flood control funds flow to where they’re needed—saving lives, not lining pockets.
Greyhawk Forensics: Truth. Protection. Action
