Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez is now under the custody of the Pasay City Jail following the Senate’s decision on Wednesday to transfer him from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Quezon City.

According to a report by Noche Cacas, Hernandez arrived at the Pasay City Jail before 9 p.m., accompanied by personnel from the Police Security and Protection Group, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Hernandez’s legal counsel was also present at the site but declined to entertain questions from the media.

UPDATE: Lumabas na ng Pasay City Jail ang legal counsel ni Engr. Brice Hernandez at hindi na nagpaunlak ng interview sa media. | RH 27 @cacas_noche, DZRH News #TomorrowsNewsTonight https://t.co/qKuD2aLPJM pic.twitter.com/12q484MBbd

— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) September 10, 2025

Meanwhile, in a recent report by Jecelle Ricafort, the Pasay City Jail has declared a red alert following Hernandez’s transfer to its custody. Jail officials assured the public that Hernandez will not receive any VIP treatment.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) told DZRH that Hernandez will be housed with other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Pasay City Jail. However, according to BJMP spokesperson Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera, security considerations and precautionary measures are the reasons Hernandez is currently being held in a separate cell.

There are 931 PDLs at the Pasay City Jail, which has a capacity of only 103. More than 70 PDLs are detained in each of its 10 cells.

This is the third time the Pasay City Jail has taken custody of a person cited for contempt by the Senate, following the cases of former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and several individuals involved in the Pharmally scandal.

Originally detained in the Senate, Hernandez was transferred to the PNP Custodial Center after he asked lawmakers not to bring him back, citing fears for his safety following his exposé linking Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva to alleged anomalous flood control projects.

At Wednesday’s plenary session, Senator Jinggoy Estrada moved for Hernandez’s transfer. The motion was immediately seconded by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and carried without objection from other senators.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified that despite Hernandez’s transfer to the Pasay City Jail, he remains under the custody of the Senate.

Sotto had earlier confirmed that Hernandez would initially be held at the PNP Custodial Center but strictly under the supervision of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. In a message to reporters, Sotto said the decision was reached in coordination with House Speaker Martin Romualdez in recognition of inter-parliamentary courtesy.

It may be recalled that tensions flared in the Senate during deliberations over Hernandez’s custody.