Senator Bam Aquino pressed the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday over whether individuals seeking protection under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) or aiming to become state witnesses should first return any stolen government money.
“Pagdating sa pagbabalik ng pera, tama ba na puwede itong gawing kondisyon sa pagpasok sa Witness Protection Program o pagiging state witness? O hindi kasama ang usapin ng pagbabalik ng pera?” Aquino asked during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The senator stressed that the public is expecting accountability from those who choose to testify. “Palagay ko iyan ang hinihintay ng maraming tao. Kung mayroong mag-i-state witness, mahalaga na maibalik ang pera na ninakaw sa ating bayan,” he added.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla agreed that while the return of funds is not formally a requirement, it could help determine the sincerity of a potential witness. “Kasi kung gusto nilang maprotektahan, dapat iyong full good faith, isosoli talaga nila,” he said, emphasizing that restitution demonstrates credibility.
Remulla clarified, however, that “wala iyan sa patakaran, pero isang test po kung reliable po ang witness o hindi.”
