Brice Hernandez says computer contains names of congressmen, not senators

Former Bulacan 1st District assistant engineer Brice Hernandez on Thursday clarified that his computer contains the names of lawmakers, not senators, who may be linked to anomalous flood control projects.

“Actually, may mga congressmen po na nandoon. Hindi po senador ‘yung laman ng computer ko,” Hernandez said during the resumption of the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

(Actually, there were congressmen present there. The ones in my computer were not senators.)

This came after Hernandez’s lawyer, Atty. Raymond Fortun, said that four incumbent and two former senators could be linked to the anomalous flood control projects, depending on what would be found in the computer.

Hernandez also denied being scolded by his lawyer.

“Ako po ang nagsabi kay Atty. Fortun na ‘wag naman maglabas ng information na wala pa naman tayong ebidensya,” he said.

(I was the one who told Atty. Fortun not to release information when we don’t yet have evidence.)

He, however, clarified that Fortun is still his legal counsel.

Following this, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he wanted to invite Fortun to the hearing.

“It’s like a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. Dapat klaruhin ninyo. Pwede ako, pwede siya, pwede si Senator Risa, pwede si Senator Bam. Dapat ma-klaro ito kaya dapat sana maimbitahan si Atty. Fortun,” he said.

(It’s like a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. You should clarify this. It could be me, it could be him, it could be Senator Risa, it could be Senator Bam. This should be clarified, which is why Atty. Fortun should really be invited.)

However, Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said that they cannot invite Fortun due to confidentiality.

“I got a feedback. Confidential ‘yun. That’s attorney-client privileged communication,” Lacson said.

Dela Rosa then questioned why Fortun made such a remark to the media.
Lacson responded, “Hamunin mo na lang. Huwag na dito.” 

(Just challenge him. Don’t do it here.)

For his part, Fortun declined to comment.

“I will attend the next hearing,” Fortun told GMA News Online.

During Thursday's hearing, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo tagged Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, former senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co amid the investigation into anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

Escudero and Binay have denied the allegations. 

GMA News Online reached out to other people mentioned by Bernardo for comment and will publish their statement once available. —VAL, GMA Integrated News