Bigger witness protection budget urged for whistle-blowers

MANILA, Philippines — It will be better, if not best, if the government will consistently increase the budget for the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP) so as to encourage more witnesses to testify against criminal masterminds, according to a lawmaker.

As the Senate continues with its budget deliberations for the 2023 national budget, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel made a proposal where an increase in the allocation for the DOJ’s WPSBP may be crucial and necessary.

The WPSBP has an allocation of only P238 million in the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Act.

The WPSBP “seems to be working well,” but the program must be supported with greater funding so that it can extend highly improved financial, relocation and livelihood assistance to witnesses, according to Pimentel, citing the case of slain journalist Percival Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid.

“This way, we can encourage more witnesses to cooperate in law enforcement investigations and judicial proceedings without fearing not only reprisals, but also economic dislocation,” Pimentel said, noting the roller-coaster ride developments in the case.

“We also want the WPSBP to establish additional safe houses to accommodate witnesses and, if necessary, to allow them to stay together with their families,” he added.

The vice chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability lamented that the program currently has only 48 hideouts nationwide.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said he is “open” to the possible inclusion in the WPSBP of Joel Escorial, the self-confessed gunman in the Oct. 3 murder of Mabasa near his home in Las Piñas.

“If that is the only way to resolve the case, that’s possible,” Remulla said in an interview over dzBB radio.

The DOJ chief, however, said Escorial did not seek witness protection when he voluntarily surrendered to the authorities out of fear for his personal safety.

A total of 512 witnesses have been covered by the program at the end of 2021, up from 490 at the end of 2020, Pimentel said.

Covered witnesses have aided or are helping in the prosecution of dozens of sensational criminal cases, such as the kidnapping and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, the hazing death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo, the Maguindanao massacre and the murders of Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman – three teenagers who became victims of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.