Signature on letter linking Eldon Cruz to road scam fake, son says

MANILA, Philippines — The son of Eldon Cruz, former President Benigno Aquino III's brother-in-law, said a letter linking his father to a supposed road scam was faked.

A state witness has accused Cruz, the husband of Aquino's eldest sister Ballsy, of being involved in the P8.7-billion road right-of-way scam for projects in General Santos City.

But Jiggy Cruz said the allegation that his father is involved in the anomaly is "absurd and ridiculous."

The younger Cruz said that the letter presented by the Department of Justice at a press conference on Monday shows a fake signature.

READ: Aquino bro-in-law tagged in P8.7-B road scam

"That's not his signature. It is not even remotely close to it. We live in a time of lies and fake news and I can't believe it's reached this point. It's just totally ridiculous," Jiggy said.

Eldon Cruz' eldest son Jiggy sent samples of his father's signature, which are different from thos on documents presented to the Department of Justice.

On Monday, whistleblower Roberto Catapang Jr. showed to the media a letter supposedly signed by Cruz endorsing one of the projects secured through fake land titles.

The signature in the letter addressed to then Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to endorse the payment for claims with then Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

The signature, which did not have a name attached to it, is different from the sample of Eldon's signatures that Jiggy sent to the media.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration has included the names of Abad, Singson and 41 others in its immigration lookout bulletin over the road right-of-way scam investigation.