Ex-DPWH officials, Discaya couple are protected witnesses - DOJ
Metro Manila, Philippines - Three former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya have been considered protected witnesses, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Wednesday, Sept. 24.
In an interview, Remulla said that while the evaluation of their applications to the Witness Protection Program was pending, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will give witness protection to the Discayas and ex-DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza.
They were allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects, and under investigation by Congress and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
“Pero pagiging [But becoming a] state witness is another matter, it is something we [will] review,” Remulla clarified.
The three former DPWH officials have initially spoken with the DOJ regarding information on anomalies in flood control projects. Remulla said they have shown good faith so far to tell the truth.
Hernandez and Mendoza also turned over to the DOJ a central processing unit containing evidence related to the corruption scandal.
Remulla said his agency wrote to Senate President Vicente Sotto III about the status of the three, adding that the department and Sotto are expected to discuss the matter on Thursday, Sept. 24.
The three former DPWH officials and Curlee Discaya have been detained at the Senate for lying at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.
Remulla said the restitution issue on the Discayas, even with the ex-government engineers, has not yet been properly discussed as it is a process.
The justice secretary has been standing firm that while the law is silent, returning the supposed ill-gotten wealth must be considered for application for witness protection.
Malacañang supported the position.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said according to the law, applicants for witness protection must cooperate to the reasonable requests of government employees providing protection.
“In other words, malaya na makakapagbigay ng mga reasonable requirements or conditions ang DOJ bago maisama ang isang witness under the Witness Protection Program,” Castro told a news briefing on Wednesday.
[Translation: In other words, the DOJ is free to have reasonable requirements or conditions for those seeking to be under the Witness Protection Program.]
“Bakit pa natin hihintayin na ang gobyerno ay magsampa ng kaso para mabawi ang mga nanakaw nila kung sila mismo ang umaamin na sila ay may nanakaw sa gobyerno?” she asked.
[Translation: Why should the government wait to file complaints before recovering the ill-gotten wealth if they already admitted that they stole from the government?]
