Malacañang has affirmed that the Discaya couple must first return their alleged ill-gotten wealth as a gesture of good faith before being considered for admission into the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement following a Senate hearing this week, which sparked debate over whether additional requirements should be imposed for entry into the program.
During a Palace press briefing, Castro clarified that while the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act does not categorically impose extra requirements for admission, it allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) to set reasonable conditions.
“Isanasaad din po sa RA 6981 Section 5 paragraph E: ‘…to cooperate with respect to all reasonable requests of officers and employees of the government who are providing protection under this Act,’” she said Wednesday, Sept. 24.
“In other words, malaya po na makapagbibigay ng mga risonableng requirements or mga kondisyon ang DOJ bago maisama ang isang witness under the Witness Protection Program,” she added.
The Palace Press Officer said any witness asking for state protection must first commit to telling the whole truth, including their own liabilities.
“Kapag sinabi nilang ‘tell all,’ ibig sabihin pati iyong liabilities nila ay dapat na maisiwalat,” she said.
Castro argued that if the Discayas admit to stealing public funds, then it follows that they must also return what they allegedly took.
Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and his wife, Cezarah “Sarah” Cruz Discaya, are contractors now under investigation for their alleged role in corruption schemes involving public officials and questionable flood control and infrastructure projects. (Argyll Geducos)
