Former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan District Engineer Brice Hernandez on Thursday sought to be admitted under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a petition for writ of amparo, Hernandez likewise asked Branch 112 of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court to order his immediate transfer to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to alleged serious and ongoing threats to his safety.
A writ of amparo (a Spanish word that means protection) is a special writ to protect or enforce a constitutional right other than physical liberty.
Hernandez on Tuesday testified before the Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva allegedly received 30 percent in “commissions” from flood control projects in Bulacan that were funded through their intercession.
Estrada and Villanueva have denied the allegations, and have threatened to take legal action against the sacked district engineer.
He was brought to the PNP Custodial Center on Tuesday night following his disclosures, but was ordered transferred to the Pasay city jail on Wednesday after members of the Senate minority bloc questioned the decision of Senate president Vicente Sotto III to turn him over to the police.
In seeking protection under the WPP, Hernandez urged the Pasay RTC to grant his motion to be referred to the DOJ as a possible government witness in the flood control project mess.
“In view of the revelation of petitioner Hernandez, he most respectfully move that he be referred to the Department of Justice and be admitted to the Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Program at the soonest possible time,” his petition read.
Hernandez cited alleged threats to his life following his revelations at the House hearing.
He also asked the court to order the Senate to answer his request for transfer to the PNP Custodial Center within 72 hours as to the “lawful defenses it may have” regarding his detention at the Pasay jail.
