Ex-DPWH engineer back in Senate

SENATE President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III on Monday said that the former Public Works engineer involved in anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan has been returned to the Senate’s custody.

“Detained Engineer Brice P. Hernandez has been brought back to the Senate of the Philippines after the hearing regarding his Writ of Amparo petition today at the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112,” Mr. Sotto said in a statement.

The Senate chief added that Mr. Hernandez’s legal team had requested his transfer to Senate custody due to his “renewed faith” in the Senate leadership.

“To allow Brice Hernandez to remain within 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 to them,” his legal team said in a letter to the Senate.

The ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer was cited in contempt and detained at the Senate last week after allegedly lying that he frequented casinos and had won millions of pesos. He was previously held in the Pasay City jail.

Separately, Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta noted that the ex-public works engineer should have remained in the Senate’s custody.

“All I want is for the processes in the Senate and the integrity of the inquiry will not be compromised, the legal custody is with the Senate,” Mr. Marcoleta told reporters in mixed English and Filipino on Monday.

Mr. Marcoleta had previously questioned why the former Public Works official was moved to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame. Mr. Henandez was later transferred to the Pasay City jail. — Adrian H. Halili