Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon urged students and graduates of De La Salle University to uphold integrity in public service and avoid following the path of dismissed engineer Brice Hernandez, who is also an alumnus of the university.

Dizon made the remark during a campus job fair organized by the DPWH at DLSU in Manila.

He initially told students not to be like dismissed engineers Henry Alcantara and Hernandez if they are hired by the agency. Members of the audience later informed him that Hernandez graduated from DLSU.

Dizon, also a DLSU alumnus, expressed surprise and apologized to the dean of the College of Engineering, who was present at the event.

“La Salle ba si Brice? Oh my God. Sorry, dean, I’m very sorry,” Dizon said.

He added that anyone who ends up like Hernandez would face jail time, noting he was unaware of the engineer’s academic background.

Hernandez, former assistant district engineer of the DPWH Bulacan First Engineering District, became a key figure in investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

He was cited in several fraud audit findings by the Commission on Audit, which flagged projects that were reportedly fully paid despite little or no implementation, falsified progress billing documents, forged signatures of engineers and contractors, and the unauthorized use of contractors’ licenses.

Hernandez also drew scrutiny after admitting ownership of several luxury vehicles, raising questions about how he could afford them on a reported monthly salary of around P70,000.

He recently turned over the vehicles to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, describing the move as a sign of good faith and willingness to cooperate.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to graft charges related to an alleged anomalous P92.8-million flood control project in Bulacan.

He is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.