Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez turned over one of his luxury vehicles to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday, September 18, as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects.
ICI Chairman, retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., confirmed that Hernandez voluntarily surrendered a black GMC Yukon Denali as “a sign of good faith” and commitment to cooperate with the Palace-created body. The vehicle, bearing plate number NIH 1779, was parked within the Energy Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, where the proceedings were held.
“For the record, Mr. Hernandez answered all questions freely and voluntarily without evasion and showed full cooperation,” Reyes said in a statement. “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.”
The GMC Yukon Denali, a premium sport utility vehicle, has a brand-new market value of up to ₱16 million in the Philippines. Its turnover marked a symbolic gesture in connection with the ICI’s probe into purported anomalous flood control projects in the first engineering district of Bulacan.
Hernandez, who appeared at the ICI session wearing a bulletproof vest and escorted by police, is regarded as one of the top witnesses in the congressional hearings that initially uncovered irregularities in infrastructure funding. After a brief inspection of the vehicle alongside Justice Reyes, Hernandez was quickly escorted back into a police vehicle that left the premises without granting media access.
The ICI, tasked to examine alleged corruption in government infrastructure projects over the past decade, has begun its formal proceedings. Hernandez’s testimony, according to Reyes, was adjourned and will resume at the directive of the Commission.
The commission’s acceptance of the surrendered luxury SUV highlights the gravity of the allegations surrounding the DPWH flood control projects. While Hernandez has not yet faced formal charges, his cooperation and voluntary turnover of assets signal his intent to assist the ongoing investigation.
Observers note that the gesture could influence future testimonies and asset disclosures from other individuals linked to the infrastructure controversy, as the ICI intensifies its inquiry into one of the country’s most high-profile corruption scandals in recent years.