Brice Hernandez’s computer has evidence vs. solons, will go to ICI, says lawyer

The desktop computer of former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez contains files that can support claims against senators and congressmen allegedly involved in the flood control controversy, his lawyer Raymund Fortun said Monday.

Fortun said that the Senate blue ribbon committee wants to get hold of Hernandez’s computer, which he retrieved over the weekend, as evidence in the ongoing investigation. However, he emphasized that the engineer’s legal counsel has decided to surrender the device entirely to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to ensure impartiality. 

“Lahat ng mga items na masasabi nating ebidensya tungkol doon sa ano ‘yung mga proyekto at sino ‘yung mga proponent, magkano ang halaga, nandito sa computer na ‘to. Dito na natin siguro mauumpisahan ngayon ‘yung sinasabi ni Brice na nagkaroon ng [standard operating procedure] at hatian tungkol dito sa mga proyekto na ‘to,” Fortun said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. 

(All the items that we can use as evidence regarding these projects, who the proponents are, and how much money was involved are there on this computer. This is where we can probably start—-regarding the SOP that Brice said and the kickbacks from these projects.)

“Dito sa computer ni Brice, nandoon ‘yung mga proponents and doon sa mga proponents, may ilan-ilang na mga personalities. Sasabihin ko po, na merong mga senador, merong mga congressmen. ‘Yan na lang muna ang sasabihin ko,” he added. 

(In Brice’s computer, the proponents were identified and some of these personalities are senators and congressmen. That’s all I can say.) 

Hernandez on Saturday was allowed to leave the premises of the Senate and go home to gather evidence to support his claims against certain personalities linked to flood control project anomalies.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that Hernandez was allowed again on Monday to temporarily leave the Senate “to retrieve what was left yesterday.” 

In an interview with reporters, Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said that Hernandez's legislative immunity will be cancelled if he does not turn in the computer to them.

Inihayag ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson na kakanselahin ang legislative immunity ni dating DPWH Bulacan district engineer Brice Hernandez kung ‘di makukuha ang kanyang computer. | via Carlo Mateo, DZBB/GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/HkiUD3mISE

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) September 22, 2025

To recall, Hernandez had alleged that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva received at least 30% in kickbacks from nearly P1 billion worth of flood control projects in the Bulacan province.

Both senators have denied the accusations. 

During Thursday’s hearing, Hernandez sought legislative immunity from the Senate blue ribbon committee before sharing how the so-called ghost flood control projects worked in their district in Bulacan. 

The former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer then also asked the panel if the contempt order against him could be lifted so that he could find evidence to prove that there were other high-ranking officials involved in the controversy. 

Fortun said that they were “threatened” that Hernandez’ legislative immunity will be canceled if his computer will not be submitted to the Senate blue ribbon committee. 

“‘Pag hindi daw tinurn-over ‘yung computer ay iwi-withdraw ‘yung kanyang parliamentary immunity at hindi siya ire-rekomenda sa Department of Justice para pumasok sa witness protection program. We feel that that is a threat,” the lawyer said. 

(They told us that if the computer is not turned over to the Senate, Hernandez’ parliamentary immunity will be withdrawn and he will not be recommended to the Department of Justice to enter the witness protection program. We feel that that is a threat.) 

Sotto and Lacson were invited by the ICI on Monday amid its investigation into the alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.

Based on the Senate’s website, the blue ribbon committee is scheduled to continue its motu proprio inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the anomalous flood control projects on Tuesday, September 23, at 9 a.m. 

Meanwhile, Lacson on Monday questioned why the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) went to the house of former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez when he was gathering evidence to support his claims against certain personalities linked to the flood control project anomalies.

Lacson said that he has yet to find out who gave the go signal to the CIDG to proceed to Hernandez’ house on Saturday, when he was being escorted by the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) throughout his search for documents. 

“Nagulat ang OSAA, si General Aplasca, kanina he reported to me na biglang may sumunod na CIDG. So I questioned. Sabi ko, this is an entirely Senate operation and this was done upon the request of the person himself, so we didn’t need any search warrant kasi voluntary,” Lacson said in an ambush interview. 

“So doon nagkaroon ng glitch. Ako, I was of the impression nung una nadala ng OSAA ang computer eh. Nagulat na lang ako nung kagabi, wala palang computer, naiwan pala doon, because nagkaron nga ng pagbago ng isip,” he added. 

(So there was a glitch because of that. Personally, I was of the impression that the OSAA already brought the computer. I was surprised last night that the computer was left in his house because Hernandez changed his mind.) 

As regards the plan to give the computer to the ICI, Lacson said, "Up to him. That’s his computer. The committee will also exercise its prerogative to withdraw his legislative immunity and not recommend his admission into the WPP because he has reneged on his commitment to fully cooperate."

"No conflict with ICI as to who can take possession of Hernandez’s computer. After all, I’ve been very consistent in saying that anything of evidentiary value, we will turn over to the ICI after all," Lacson said. — BM/NB, GMA Integrated News