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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-DPWH assistant district engineer returns to Senate custody

Ex-DPWH assistant district engineer returns to Senate custody

Published Sep 15, 2025 12:11 pm

At A Glance

  • The camp of Brice Hernandez has submitted a letter of request to Senate President Vicente Sotto III asking the re-admission of their client, from the Pasay City Jail back to the Senate Detention Facility.

Detained former Bulacan first district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez has been brought back to the Senate on Monday, September 15.

This, after the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112 heard the writ of amparo petition that his camp filed asking for a temporary protection order and to be placed under the witness protection program.

Hernandez’s legal counsel, Ernest Levanza, submitted a letter of request to Senate President Vicente Sotto III asking the re-admission of their client, from the Pasay City Jail back to the Senate Detention Facility.

In his letter, the lawyer made the appeal as he also expressed confidence that under the new leadership of both Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who now chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, “there is assurance that the Senate will stand not only as a body of discipline but as an exemplar of fairness.”

“To allow Brice Hernandez to remain with the Senate is to affirm that the institution does not turn away from difficult truths, nor cast aside those who risk their safety to speak them,” Levanza said.

Hernandez’s camp also urged the Senate “to exercise its authority with compassion, to temper firmness with justice, and to uphold the dignity of a witness even while in contempt.”

According to the Office of the Senate President, Hernandez arrived at 10:10 a.m. and said he has undergone a medical examination.

Hernandez was cited in contempt by the Senate blue ribbon committee, then chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, last September 8 and was made to stay at the Senate detention facility.

The following day, September 9, after a scheduled hearing at the House of Representatives, Hernandez was transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center, supposedly out of grave concern for his safety, since he implicated Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joel Villanueva in the anomalies in flood control projects.

However, after debating on the actions of their counterparts in the Lower House, the Senate decided to transfer him to the Pasay City Jail.

The former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer is now expected to appear in the next hearing of the blue ribbon panel which is scheduled on Thursday, September 18.

Related Tags

DPWH anomalies DPWH corruption 2025 flood control probe Senate Tito Sotto III ping lacson Senate Blue Ribbon Committee
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