Ex-DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez to be detained at PNP Custodial Center

Former Public Works and Highways district engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City on Monday, September 8, 2025. (INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Tuesday confirmed that former Public Works and Highways District Engineer Brice Hernandez will be detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, but will remain strictly under the supervision of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.

In a message to reporters on Tuesday, Sotto said the decision was reached in coordination with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in recognition of the inter-parliamentary courtesy.

To make sure he is safe but still in custody of the Senate, the Speaker and I agreed to place him in the PNP custodial center but under the supervision of the Senate OSAA,” Sotto said.

Earlier, Sotto granted the lower chamber’s request for Hernandez to attend its hearing on anomalous flood control projects.

At the hearing held also Tuesday, Hernandez asked lawmakers not to bring him back for Senate detention because he’s no longer sure of his safety.

He made this remark before implicating Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva into anomalous flood control projects in the country.

Hernandez was originally cited for contempt by the Senate blue ribbon panel after he denied his alleged use of a fake identification card bearing the name Marvin Santos de Guzman in casinos. /gsg