Hernandez Returns to Senate โขcustody After Court โOrder
Brice Hernandez, former assistant engineer for Bulacan’s first district, is โขonce again inโ the custody of the Senate, arriving atโ 10:10 a.m. Monday after โคbeingโ transferred from the โPasay City Jail. A medical examination was conducted upon his arrival, according to the Office of the โSenate President.
Hernandez’s return follows a petition for โaโฃ writโฃ of amparo โfiled by his legal counsel wiht the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch โค112. The writ sought aโค temporary protection orderโค and placement inโ the witness protectionโ program, with Atty. Ernest Levanza stating, “The Writ of Amparo was filedโค toโค secure his protection and ensure his freedom from threat and harm.” Levanza welcomed the court’s decision to transfer Hernandez to the โSenate,adding,”With the court’s order transferring him from Pasay City Jail to the Senate,the risk to his safety has been significantly reduced. We welcome this positive and favorableโ growth.”
Hernandez initially โrequested not toโ be โreturnedโข to Senate custody after alleging, during a Houseโค infrastructure committee hearing, that “some senators” were involved in anomalies relatedโฃ to flood controlโค projects. He was โfirst moved to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, then subsequently transferred to Pasay City Jailโฃ following โdebate โขamong senators โregarding his detention โlocation.
Hernandez’sโ camp then formally requested his readmission to theโ Senate detention facility, citing โฃ”renewed faith” in theโข leadership ofโค Senate President โVicente Sotto III and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. โThe โคletterโ emphasized, โข”[T]here is assurance that the Senate will stand notโข only as a body of discipline but as an exemplar of fairness.To allow Brice Hernandez to remainโข within theโค Senate is to โฃaffirm โthat the institution does not turn awayโ from difficult truths, nor cast aside those who risk their โคsafety to speakโข them.”
Senate President Sotto granted โขthe request, and the court acknowledged the order.โฃ Hernandez is scheduledโ to appearโค at the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon committee.
-with a report from Giselleโค Ombay/AOL, GMA โIntegrated News