Laguna Rep Agarao denies kickback allegations

Laguna Representative Benjamin Agarao Jr. denied allegations of receiving kickbacks from flood control projects, stating he had no dealings with the Discaya couple who accused him.

He clarified that his daughter, Jam Agarao, served as the district representative from 2022 to 2025, the period when the alleged kickbacks were received.

Agarao insisted he had no hand in the flood control projects or their bidding procedures, explaining that Congress only submits budget requests while the DPWH implements the projects.

He also stated he does not personally know the Discaya couple and does not recall any transactions with them, nor Alvin Mariano, who was allegedly a middleman.

The congressman further asserted he was no longer in office during the period the Discayas claimed he received a P9-million payment for their firms to secure contracts in his district.