Brice Hernandez’s computer will be turned over to DOJ —Lacscon

The desktop computer of former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez that supposedly contains files to support his claims against lawmakers allegedly involved in the flood control controversy, will be transferred to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Wednesday. 

Lacson, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said that other documents of Hernandez will be turned over to the DOJ so that the evidence can be consolidated. 

“Ang computer, even those that were initially retrieved na nasa possession namin, kasi kahapon nagbago na naman ang isip ng mga lawyers. Secretary Remulla called the Senate President, instead na i-turnover daw ang computer sa ICI, sa DOJ na lang daw,” he said in an ambush interview. 

(Hernandez’s lawyers changed their minds yesterday regarding the computer and the other files we initially retrieved. [Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin] Remulla called the Senate President and we decided that the computer will be turned over to the DOJ instead of the ICI.) 

“That’s his call because that’s his computer. We cannot tell him, ‘Dapat sa amin ‘yan [that should be ours],’” he added.

Hernandez’s lawyer Raymund Fortun earlier said that they had decided to surrender the device entirely to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to ensure impartiality. 

Lacson, back then, warned that Hernandez’s legislative immunity would be revoked and he would not be recommended for admission into the witness protection program (WPP) if he did not surrender his computer to the blue ribbon committee. 

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. 

Henry Alcantara

Lacson further said that it is the call of the DOJ whether dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara would be eligible to enter the WPP. 

“When I talked to Secretary Remulla, tinanong ko sa kanya sa sidelines, [sabi niya], merong record na hawak. Hindi ito ‘yung parang say so na bahala na si batman. Tinanong ko anong basehan, meron daw siyang record,” he recalled. 

(I asked Secretary Remulla what was the basis for Alcantara’s testimony. He said that Alcantara has records.) 

Alcantara on Tuesday said that he worked with Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in giving commissions off flood control projects to the the camps of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former senator Bong Revilla Jr., Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

On Wednesday morning, Alcantara, Hernandez and former Bulacan 1st district engineering office construction division chief Jaypee Mendoza went to the ICI to testify.

Clueless?

Lacson was also skeptical regarding the statement of former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan that he had no idea regarding the supposed corruption behind the substandard and ghost flood control projects. 

“Nag-retire siya 2010. Ibig sabihin before that, he stayed for so many years rising from the ranks, so alam niya ‘yung nangyayari sa baba. Then he became secretary of public works in 2022. To say na hindi niya namo-monitor, dalawa ang implication: it’s either kasabwat ka o incompetent ka,” the senator said.

(He retired in 2010. That means before that, he stayed for so many years rising from the ranks, so he knows what's going on below. Then he became secretary of public works in 2022. To say that he was not able to monitor that, there are two implications: it's either you are complicit or you are incompetent.) 

During the blue ribbon committee hearing on Tuesday, Bonoan said he was surprised regarding the revelations of several resource persons, including those by contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, that the bidding process for government projects is usually rigged as the winning contractors are already predetermined. 

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 Thursday, September 25, at 9 a.m.

Asked if the blue ribbon committee will already terminate its inquiry on the flood control anomalies after one or two more hearings, Lacson said, “Let’s see.” — BM, GMA Integrated News