Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez was returned to Senate custody on Monday after spending several days at the Pasay City Jail.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III confirmed that Hernandez was transferred back following a hearing on a Writ of Amparo petition before the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112.
“Hernandez’s stay in the Senate affirms that the institution does not shy away from difficult truths nor turn its back on those who risk their safety to reveal them,” Sotto said.
Hernandez’s legal counsel had written to Sotto and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, requesting that he be allowed to stay in the Senate detention facility.
The Senate chief approved the request and noted that the Pasay court was made aware of the development.
The former DPWH official arrived at the Senate complex at around 10 a.m. and was subjected to a medical evaluation before being readmitted into custody.
He had originally been detained by the Senate after several lawmakers accused him of providing false testimony during hearings on alleged irregular flood control projects.
Citing security concerns, senators previously ordered his transfer to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center ahead of his testimony in the House of Representatives.
At that hearing, Hernandez alleged that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were involved in questionable flood control initiatives.
These claims sparked strong reactions in the Senate, with Estrada later moving that Hernandez be relocated to the Pasay City Jail, seconded by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.
The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will resume flood control probe hearings on September 18.
