LATEST ALLEGATIONS VS ESCUDERO NOT NEW – LAWYER

THE legal counsel of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Friday reiterated  that the latest allegations being hurled against the lawmaker are nothing new.

According to attorney  Ramon Esguerra, legal counsel for Escudero, the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo linking the senator to the flood control mess have been denied and refuted before.

“Bernardo’s claims against Senator Chiz are not new. These allegations have been denied and refuted before. There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act,” Esguerra said.

The legal counsel said speculations and insinuations are not evidence.

“These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that will not stand in any court of law. We believe that these allegations are merely designed to besmirch and destroy Senator Chiz’s reputation, as well as that of the Senate, the lawyer said.

“We are confident that the facts and evidence will vindicate Senator Chiz, show that these allegations against him are malicious and baseless, and prove that he is innocent,” he added.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing Bernardo claimed that Maynard Ngu, a tech-billionaire who eventually became a government envoy, approached him and asked for a list of projects for Escudero.