Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed that personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) unexpectedly arrived at the residence of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez.
In an interview with DZRH News, Lacson said the Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) was surprised when CIDG operatives showed up at Hernandez’s home.
This happened after the Senate allowed Hernandez to temporarily go home on Saturday to retrieve documents that could serve as evidence in connection with his revelations on the alleged flood control scandal.
According to Lacson, the Senate does not know what the CIDG was doing at the dismissed DPWH official’s residence or who authorized their presence.
He added that the OSAA already had custody of Hernandez’s computer, but the latter suddenly changed his mind, prompting Senate security to seal it instead.
“Initially, hawak na ng OSAA kasi eh, pero all of a sudden si Brice Hernandez parang nagbago ng isip. ‘Teka muna, magtanong muna ako sa lawyer.’ So ang ginawa ng OSAA, sinelyuhan na lang nila para hindi ma-tamper,” said Lacson.
Lacson warned Hernandez’s camp that his legislative immunity could be revoked and that he might not be recommended for the Witness Protection Program if he failed to retrieve his computer by 12 noon on Monday.
Last September 8, Hernandez was cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for allegedly being evasive during hearings on the flood control anomalies.
During Friday’s hearing, Hernandez claimed that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were involved in schemes to funnel kickbacks from flood-control projects, alleging a 30% cut from some projects in Bulacan.
He said that there are documents, computer files, and other items which could serve as evidence backing up his allegations.
The Senate allowed him to temporarily leave to gather evidence. He was released from Senate custody on Saturday morning to collect the said files.
Hernandez has been dismissed from public service, permanently disqualified from holding public office, forfeited some benefits (except accrued leave), and had his civil service eligibility cancelled.
The DPWH filed administrative and graft-related complaints against him, including malversation, violation of Anti-Graft law, and Government Procurement Act.
