Actor-comedian John Lapus quipped that he is ready to serve as the “lie detector” after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada challenged a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer to a lie detector test, with both of them taking it, amid allegations of kickbacks in flood control projects.
Lapus, known for co-hosting GMA’s talk show “Showbiz Central” and its iconic segment “Don’t Lie To Me,” chimed in after Estrada publicly denied ex-DPWH assistant engineer Brice Hernandez’s claim that he was involved in a kickback scheme and dared Hernandez to take a lie detector test alongside him.
Hernandez previously claimed he served as one of the senator’s “bagmen” in a kickback scheme involving flood control projects in Bulacan.
ALSO READ: ‘Pure evil’: Outrage flares as photos show alleged kickbacks in flood control projects
He also alleged that Estrada, along with Sen. Joel Villanueva, received a 30% cut—or “commitment”—from the project costs of certain floodgates and pumping stations in the province.
The senator denied these claims.
“I [categorically] and vehemently deny the claims made by Brice Hernandez. I challenge him. LET US TAKE A LIE DETECTOR TEST before the public para malaman ng lahat kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo. Talk is cheap — handa akong patunayan na pawang mga kasinungalingan ang sinasabi [niya] tungkol sa akin,” Estrada said.
In response, Lapus said he is available for any lie detector test.
“Available po ako bukas sa mga gusto magpa-Lie Detector Test. Ty fyi [Thank you, for your information],” the comedian wrote on the X (formerly Twitter) platform with a heart-eyed emoji.
Available po ako bukas sa mga gusto magpaLie Detector Test. Ty fyi 😍
— John Lapus (@KorekKaJohn) September 9, 2025
Lapus’ post has so far garnered over 104,000 views, 5,100 likes, and 900 quote posts.
In the “Don’t Lie To Me” segment of “Showbiz Central,” which Lapus used to co-host, a guest celebrity would undergo a mock lie detector test.
Whenever the machine detected a “lie,” Lapus would burst into a dance, complete with back-up dancers. At one point in the segment, the comedian would even be tossed into the air like a cheerleader.
lie detector test amputa payag kami basta si sarah discaya ang sasayaw sa tuwing lie ang lalabas https://t.co/mtO29kLNH1 pic.twitter.com/Uk0rk18jcW
— lem ˖ ࣪⭑ (@___ratikyle) September 9, 2025
Meanwhile, many raised eyebrows at Estrada’s challenge to take a lie detector test in response to Hernandez’s allegations.
“Senador ka tapos lie detector test lang masa-suggest mo? The theatrics. The drama,” pulmonologist Jai Cabajar wrote.
Psychologist Riyan Portuguez also said that such tests are “not accurate.”
“Hindi sapat ang lie detector kasi hindi naman ‘yon accurate. Dapat ay battery of psychological tests saka SALN,” she wrote.
The SALN refers to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, a document in which public officials declare and submit a detailed and sworn statement of their assets, including disclosure of their business interests.
Congress is currently conducting hearings to investigate alleged anomalies in the country’s flood control projects, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address.
The President had earlier inspected several flood control sites in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” (Wipha) and condemned their poor condition, attributing it to corruption behind the projects. — with reports by Philstar.com/Dominique Flores
