Review of witness protection program urged

MANILA, Philippines - Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial bet Joey de Venecia yesterday called for a review of the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) in the wake of the murder of jueteng whistle-blower Wilfredo “Boy” Mayor, whom retired Pangasinan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said was poised to make another exposé on government contract anomalies in Bicol before he was killed last Sunday.

“There is a need to review the implementation of the WPP to see if this is genuinely adequate to protect not only the identity of the persons admitted into the WPP but in giving them iron-clad personal security,” De Venecia said.

De Venecia, who testified in the Senate against the anomalous ZTE-national broadband project, said Mayor was only the latest in a long line of slain whistle-blowers and crusading journalists who stood up against rampant graft and corruption and injustice.

“We call on the authorities to give justice to the family of Boy Mayor, even as we note that similar killings like that of Marlene Esperat who spoke out against the misuse of government agriculture funds remain yet unsolved. And we pledge to continue our fight against those who wish to use government resources to enrich themselves instead of working to uplift the lives of our people,” said De Venecia.

He said one of his first orders of business if he will be elected to the Senate would be to craft new laws to ensure whistleblowers are adequately protected, and that their allegations are fully probed and those guilty are prosecuted and punished.

“I will make it my personal advocacy in the Senate to ensure the protection of the brave who stand up and cry. We will make it our cause to go after the miscreants, cheats, and vultures in the government who are growing fat while our people suffer lack of adequate food, water and power.”

“The murder of Mayor is a most bloody affirmation of how witnesses put their very lives at stake for the sake of truth but are left unprotected at the mercy of paid assassins,” De Venecia lamented.