Miriam re-files bill protecting whistle-blowers

MANILA, Philippines - The resurgence of the issue of illegal gambling as well as claims that several officials are supposedly on its payroll prompted Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to re-file her proposal to give full protection to whistle-blowers.

Santiago said she has re-filed Senate Bill 1883 or the Whistle-blower’s Protection Act that she initially filed during the 13th Congress.

She stressed the bill would be timely and significant considering recent developments, noting the jueteng exposés made by retired archbishop Oscar Cruz as well as the witnesses in the Maguindanao massacre.

“The government needs a new institutional mechanism for integrity and accountability to avoid scandals and restore credibility in the public service. The litmus test for such reforms is the government’s treatment of whistle blowers,” Santiago said.

Santiago stressed the need to encourage whistle-blowers to come out by giving them ample protection from the very persons their testimonies would implicate.

Santiago proposed that even employees in the government and the private sector should be encouraged to speak out about wrongdoings in their workplace.

“Whistle-blowers automatically expect retaliation for their honesty. They are usually accused of being malcontents trying to profit from their accusations. The fear generated by retaliation creates a chilling effect on the willingness of people to come forward and expose wrongdoing,” she said.

On Thursday, a support group called the Whistle-blowers’ Association of the Philippines went to the Senate to air their frustration on the failure of Congress to enact the Whistle-blower’s Protection Act.

Led by jueteng whistle-blower Sandra Cam, they lamented the shabby treatment they had been getting after revealing all.

Cam said that the absence of a law protecting whistle-blowers has discouraged others like them from testifying.

With a whistle-blower’s protection law, Santiago said this would prevent witness from being intimidated or subjected to retaliatory action.

Santiago said retaliatory actions include discharge, suspension, demotion, harassment, blacklisting and the refusal to hire a whistle-blowing employee.

Santiago proposed that any employee turned whistle-blower could have the right to file a civil case against their employers.

“Our fight against graft and corruption in the government hinges on the courage of those who see evil and cry foul. We must reward their bravery and honesty with security,” Santiago said.

For the meantime, whistle-blowers should avail of the Witness Protection Program (WPP) under the Department of Justice, Sen. Francis Escudero suggested.

Escudero said the witnesses should have faith in the new administration, particularly in Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who has vowed to provide protection to them under the WPP.

Escudero also expressed optimism that Santiago’s proposal would be passed under the present administration.

He said the problem during the previous administration was that the allies of the former president at the House of Representatives were protecting their principal against the damaging testimonies of these whistle blowers.