Former Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez has been cited in contempt after he refused to answer questions on the source of money he allegedly used for gambling in casinos, during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, September 8.

The motion was raised by Senator Erwin Tulfo, seconded by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, and approved by Committee Chair Senator Rodante Marcoleta after no objections were made.

Hernandez was not immediately brought to the Senate detention facility as lawmakers directed him to remain in the session hall to continue answering questions.

The Senators presented an LTO-issued ID under the name “Marvin Santos de Guzman” with Hernandez’s photo, accusing him of using a fake identity to access casinos. Hernandez denied owning the ID, insisting he was only using a membership number to go to casinos.

Furthermore, documents obtained by the panel showed Hernandez had lost hundreds of millions of pesos in casino games. While admitting to visiting casinos, he pointed to his superior, dismissed Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, as the source of the funds.

Senators further flagged Hernandez for his alleged casino lifestyle and collection of luxury cars, which they linked to questionable dealings with construction firms.

Hernandez also exposed that all his alleged dealings were carried out under orders from Alcantara.

“Lahat po ng sinasabi nila ay utos lang po sa’kin ng aking boss, boss Henry Alcantara,” he told senators when asked about the alleged forced use of Wawao Builders’ contractor license for ghost projects.