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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Who will spend Christmas detained at the Senate? Sotto answers

Who will spend Christmas detained at the Senate? Sotto answers

Published Dec 11, 2025 04:53 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Vicente Sotto III said former DPWH officials, contractor Curlee Discaya, and BOC official Juan San Andres—currently detained for contempt over flood control and agri-smuggling inquiries—will spend Christmas and New Year in the Senate's custody.
With the annual Congress holiday break just around the corner, it seems that several individuals who were cited in contempt during previous hearings could remain in detention at the Senate during Christmas and the New Year--perhaps even longer.
Ex-DPWH officials Brice Hernandez, Henry Alcantara, Jaypee Mendoza, and contractor Pacifico
Ex-DPWH officials Brice Hernandez, Henry Alcantara, Jaypee Mendoza, and contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya (MB file photo)
This was according to Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who bared that former DPWH officials, namely Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza; as well as contractor Curlee Discaya; and Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Subic Acting Chief of Assessment Juan San Andres, will certainly spend the holidays as detainees of the upper chamber. 
Hernandez, Alcantara, Mendoza, as well as Discaya were all cited for contempt during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing for supposedly lying during the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.
On the other hand, San Andres was slapped with the same penalty relation to the agricultural smuggling issue.
“Until June 2028 because that is what the Supreme Court (SC) says—our contempt power lasts until the committee report is completed or until the current Congress ends," Sotto said.
They will be surrendered nce warrants have been issued against them, Sotto said.
Sotto added that, so far, there have been no appeals from the families of Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, Discaya, or Andres for their release during the holiday season.
If a request is made, Sotto said: "We'll cross the bridge when we get there."
Still, they have visitation privileges this Christmas or New Year.
Sotto jokingly said that those detained at the Senate will still have “Noche Buena", or the traditional Christmas dinner.

Related Tags

Senate of the Philippines Senate President Vicente \"Tito\" Sotto III flood control Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
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