Brice Hernandez no longer seeks to be a state witness—Ombudsman
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that ex-Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez is no longer seeking to be a state witness, but will remain a "cooperative witness."
"Hindi niya na pinipilit 'yung state witness kasi nakita naman nila na ang hirap gawin yun na magbigay ng blanket immunity lalo na sa ghost project," Remula told the media on Friday, Oct. 24.
"Open shot case yan eh. Whether or not they cooperate, maku-convict naman sila talaga dyan, 'di ba? Hindi mo naman kailangan na state witness doon kung tutuusin eh," he added.
Despite this, the Ombudsman said he may be given special consideration as a cooperative witness with permission from the court.
"Kasi nga cooperative witness yan, syempre bibigyan natin ng special consideration with the permission of the court. Kasi lahat po yan, sinasangguni natin sa korte," Remulla said.
This came a week after Hernandez and dismissed Bulacan first district assistant Jaypee Mendoza expressed their hopes that they could be considered as state witnesses.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Hernadez faced the Ombudsman on Thursday as part of the anti-graft body’s fact-finding probe into the anomalous flood control projects.
Hernandez, as well as dismissed DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara and contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya, are currently considered as protected witnesses in the flood control probe under the Department of Justice's Witness Protection Program.