Dizon: Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza dismissed from DPWH

Former Bulacan first district assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza have been  dismissed from the Department of Public Works and Highways, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said Friday.

 “Sina Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza dismissed na po sila sa DPWH. Yung mga iba naman po, sinimulan na po yung process ng dismissal nila sa DPWH,” Dizon said during an interview with GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

(Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza have been dismissed from the DPWH. As for the others, the process of their dismissal from the DPWH has already begun.)

Dizon earlier announced the dismissal of former Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara from the DPWH. 

In the same interview, more contractors have been blacklisted from the DPWH over anomalous flood control projects, Dizon said.

"Na-blacklist na po itong mga contractor na ito," Dizon said.

(These contractors have been blacklisted.)

The DPWH chief was referring to the contractors that are respondents in the graft complaint filed by the department with the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, including:

• St. Timothy Construction Corporation
• SYMS Construction Trading
• Wawao Builders
• IM Construction Corporation

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called for an investigation into anomalous flood control projects. Several government agencies, as well as the Senate and the House of Representatives, have launched their respective investigations.

Some flood control projects were found to be ghost projects.

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

On Thursday, Marcos issued an executive order creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). 

Executive Order No. 94 states that it is imperative to constitute an independent body that will investigate and undertake appropriate measures against those involved in irregularities in government infrastructure projects. 

The ICI will be composed of a chairperson and two members who shall be persons of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence. 

According to the EO, the body shall, on complaint or motu propio, hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information, against all government officials and employees, and any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide.

The ICI shall prioritize the investigation of flood control and other infrastructure projects within the last ten years from the effectivity of the EO. 

The ICI shall, based on its findings, recommend the filing of appropriate criminal, civil, and administrative cases or actions against those responsible to the appropriate disciplinary, prosecutorial, and administrative bodies, such as the Office of the President, Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Civil Service Commission, to exact accountability, in accordance with relevant laws, rules and regulations. 

Wife's work

Meanwhile, the camp of Hernandez maintained that he has been truthful in his testimonies before the Senate and the House flood control inquiries, including on his wife's alleged work in government.

Ernest Levanza, counsel for Hernandez, was referring to insinuations that his client lied when he said that his wife worked in the state-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“There have been reports questioning the truthfulness of Brice Hernandez's statement during the Senate hearing about his wife's employment with GSIS, Let us set the record straight: Brice was telling the truth. His wife, Ms. Rica Hernandez, did work for GSIS,” Levanza said.

Levanza said the apparent mix-up seems to come from confusing her with Brice's former wife, Ms. Mel Clarisse Sto. Domingo.

“Ms. Mel Clarisse Sto. Domingo’s marriage with Brice was annulled in 2022. Brice and Rica got married in 2023 and remain together to this day. We hope this clears the air and puts an end to the confusion,” he added.— With Llanesca Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News