Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is pushing for the temporary release of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez to retrieve evidence on the alleged kickbacks involving some senators.

In an exclusive interview at DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Friday, September 19, Lacson revealed that he is requesting Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III to allow Hernandez’s temporary release either on Saturday (September 20) or Sunday (September 21).

Moreover, he highlighted that the former assistant engineer would be escorted by Senate security to his office or house to collect evidence supporting his claim on Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva’s involvement with the 30% commission and budget kickbacks.

"Kasi ito ang challenge ko sa kanya [Hernandez]. Ang burden pa rin na i-prove na may commission yung dalawa ay nasa kanya," Lacson emphasized.

"While, establisado na yung ₱600 million, ₱355 [million], may dokumento, may testimonya. Pero yung aspeto naman ng komisyon, hindi pa 'yun malinaw kasi siya lang ang may sabi nun,” he added. “Kailangan i-back niya ‘yon ngayon ng dokumento, kung meron siya sa ledger man o kung anumang dokumento na magpapatotoo na nagbigay talaga siya ng 30% na komisyon doon sa dalawa, yun ang ipapahanap namin sa kanya.”

According to the senator, Sotto had already agreed to the request and that he would submit a letter within the day, requesting to allow Hernandez to temporarily leave Senate premises for a day from 7:00 AM until 5:00 or 6:00 PM.

Hernandez would only be allowed a day outside the facility, as Lacson mentioned that overnight stays outside are prohibited.

Once Hernandez finds supporting evidence or documents for his claim, the committee would immediately submit it to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) so that they can begin their probe into the two senators.