Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza may still have a chance to be reconsidered as state witnesses under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) if they fully cooperate and tell the truth during the flood control hearing on Monday, Jan. 19, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said.
“Gusto kong sabihin sa kanila, pagdating nila sa Monday, na bibigyan namin sila ng pagkakataon para talagang – fully cooperate, sabihin lahat. Baka sakaling kami o kaya through Senate President Sotto, irekomenda pa rin namin sila sa WPP,” Lacson told ‘The Newsmaker’ on Friday, Jan. 16.
[Translation: I want to tell them, when they come on Monday, that we will give them the opportunity to fully cooperate and tell everything. It’s possible that we – or through Senate President Sotto – may still recommend them for the WPP.]
“Maski papano sa tingin ko may bearing kung irerekomenda ng Senado na pumasok sila o i-admit sila sa Witness Protection Program,” he added.
[Translation: I think the Senate’s recommendation could still carry weight if they are admitted into the Witness Protection Program.]
The Department of Justice earlier announced that Hernandez and Mendoza did not qualify for the WPP, unlike their former boss, ex-DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara. Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former DPWH regional director for Metro Manila Gerard Opulencia, and contractor Sally Santos have also been named state witnesses.
Lacson said he was not surprised by the DOJ decision, noting that during past hearings of the Blue Ribbon Committee – which he chairs – Hernandez and Mendoza had been withholding information, unlike Alcantara and Bernardo.
“As it happened hindi talaga sila ganoong katotoo na mag-fully cooperate,” Lacson said.
“Yun lang pinayagan namin luamabs si Brice Hernandez para kunin yung mga records sa kanyang bahay, iniwan niya yung kanyang computer, hindi niya binigay sa OSAA (Office of the Sergeant at Arms),” he added.
[Translation: For example, we allowed Brice Hernandez to take records from his house, but he left his computer and did not turn it over to the Office of the Sergeant at Arms.]
Lacson’s comments came ahead of the Ombudsman filing graft and malversation charges against Hernandez and Mendoza over an alleged anomalous ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. They are among seven respondents in the case, which also includes former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
Hernandez and Mendoza are currently detained by the Senate on contempt charges. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III previously said those under Senate custody will be turned over to law enforcement authorities once arrest warrants are issued.
