MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 11, 2026 — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza have asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to exclude several of their own statements from being used as evidence in the ongoing flood control corruption case.

In counter-affidavits filed on January 5, the two engineers argued that at least three of their statements, including a “Whistleblower’s Report” implicating personalities in the alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, should not be admitted as evidence against them.

Hernandez claimed these statements were originally submitted as part of their application to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) and therefore cannot be used against them, citing their constitutional right against self-incrimination.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed complaints of malversation, graft, and direct bribery against Hernandez and Mendoza, who were among those who provided information on the alleged “modus operandi” in flood control projects. Both men are now facing preliminary investigation into their supposed involvement in the ghost project, which has also implicated former Senator Bong Revilla.

The controversy surrounding their testimonies has raised questions in Congress. Bicol-Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon earlier criticized the DOJ for excluding Hernandez and Mendoza as state witnesses while allowing former DPWH Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara to testify, despite Alcantara’s higher accountability in the projects. Ridon said the DOJ must explain why the two whistleblowers were sidelined, even though their statements were crucial in exposing the anomalies.

The flood control scandal has become one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent years, with millions of pesos allegedly lost to ghost projects. The DOJ’s handling of whistleblower testimonies and state witness selection is expected to play a pivotal role in determining accountability among both lower-ranking engineers and high-profile political figures.

Image from Senate