Senate Files Reply to Court Regarding Hernandez’s Amparo Petition
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Senate filed its response Friday to a pasay City court concerning the writ of amparo petition submitted by former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez, following his transfer to Pasay City Jail. The petition seeks a temporary protection order and inclusion in the witness protection program.
The Senate’s reply was submitted to pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112 at 4:12 p.m., ahead of the 72-hour deadline, according to the office of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. A copy of the Senate’s reply has not yet been released.
Hernandez’s lawyer, Atty. Ernest Levanza, filed the amparo petition Thursday, citing threats received by his client both before and after Hernandez testified before the House of Representatives regarding alleged anomalies in flood control projects. During that house hearing Tuesday, Hernandez implicated Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, allegations both senators have denied.
The case stems from Hernandez being cited for contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday after repeatedly denying data regarding his casino activities. Following the contempt citation, Hernandez was initially held at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, per an agreement between Sotto and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Despite appeals from several senators to retain Hernandez within the Senate’s custody, the Senate transferred him Wednesday to pasay City Jail.