Ex-DPWH exec Brice Hernandez to surrender luxury cars – ICI chair

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez made the commitment when he attended the first ICI hearing into the anomalous flood control projects. (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – A dismissed official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has volunteered to surrender his luxury vehicles, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said on Friday.

Former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez made the commitment when he attended the first ICI hearing into the anomalous flood control projects.

“As a sign of good faith and his willingness to further cooperate with the Commission, Mr. Hernandez is voluntarily surrendering one of his luxury vehicles to the Commission, and others to follow,” Reyes said in a statement after the hearing.

Reyes, however, did not disclose the specific brand of the first luxury car surrendered by Hernandez to the commission.

During the ICI’s inquiry, Hernandez “answered all questions freely and voluntarily without evasion and showed full cooperation,” Reyes said.

“In the meantime, the testimony of Engr. Hernandez was adjourned and shall continue upon the directive of the Commission,” he said.

On Sept. 18, the ICI issued a subpoena summoning Hernandez to attend the first hearing into the flood control controversy.

Hernandez, who was implicated in the so-called “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan, has been under scrutiny for his alleged lavish lifestyle, including daily visits to casinos and the collection of luxury vehicles.

He allegedly owns several luxury cars, including a Dodge Challenger, Toyota Supra, and Lamborghini Urus, despite earning a government salary of just PHP70,000 per month.