Senate responds to Brice Hernandez's writ of amparo plea

The Senate on Friday filed its response to a Pasay court over the writ of amparo sought by the camp of former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez, following his transfer to the Pasay City Jail. 

This was confirmed by the office of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III to the members of the media. 

“The Senate of the Philippines has filed its reply to the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112, in response to the Writ of Amparo filed by the counsel of Brice Hernandez. The filing was made today at 4:12 p.m, ahead of the imposed 72-hour period,” Sotto’s office said. 

The Senate President's office has yet to furnish a copy of the reply.

Hernandez’s legal counsel, Atty. Ernest Levanza, filed the petition Thursday with the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112, asking for a temporary protection order and for his client to be placed under the witness protection program.

The lawyer said Hernandez had been receiving threats prior to his revelations before the House of Representatives. 

He said this grew worse after the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer tagged some senators, particularly Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, in alleged anomalous flood control projects during a House hearing Tuesday.

Both senators have denied the allegation. 

Hernandez was earlier cited in contempt by the Senate blue ribbon committee on Monday after he repeatedly denied alleged information regarding his casino activities.

He was then transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, upon an agreement between Sotto and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

On Wednesday, the Senate decided to transfer Hernandez to the Pasay City Jail, despite several senators appealing that he be detained again in the upper chamber’s premises. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News