NAGLABAS ng matinding pagtanggi si Senador Francis “Chiz” Escudero noong Setyembre 25, 2025 upang mariing pabulaanan ang mga paratang ng katiwalian na inihayag laban sa kanya ni dating DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo sa pagdinig ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

“I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo in today’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. By his own admission, he never had any participation nor directly engaged in this matter—and I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement,” ani Escudero.

Inilarawan niya ang mga kaganapan bilang isang sinadyang pag-atake sa Senado. “It seems like there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution itself and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators.”

Ipinunto rin ni Escudero ang tila eksklusibong pagtutok sa mga senador, habang hindi pa nabibigyang-pansin ang iba pang mga taong nabanggit sa salaysay ni Bernardo.

Dagdag pa niya, “Sobra naman nang paglihis at paglayo nila sa tunay na salarin ang sarswelang ito.”

Ipinabatid niyang buo ang kumpiyansa niya sa kanyang rekord bilang lingkod-bayan. “Maging ganoon pa man, haharapin at lalabanan ko ito at maghahain ng karampatang ebidensya laban kay Usec. Bernardo sa mga binitiwang mapanirang salaysay dahil pawang kasinungalingan at paratang.”

Sa huli, muling binigyang-diin ni Escudero ang kanyang malinis na rekord. “For more than 27 years in public service, I have never once been charged with any corruption. That record speaks for itself. I have never once been tainted. When all the facts are revealed, my name and my service will remain untarnished.”