House panel passes whistleblowers' Act

Manila, Philippines - The House committee on justice has passed the proposed Whistleblowers’ Act, which seeks to protect and compensate whistleblowers and witnesses for the risks and suffering they face for exposing irregularities.

The measure, among the priority bills listed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), is expected to be reported out for plenary approval in the next few days.

The committee also approved proposed amendments to the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. earlier said the House is prioritizing the passage of the whistleblower bill along with several other anti-corruption measures as part of the chamber’s effort to encourage investments, promote transparency and eradicate poverty.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, the principal author of the measure, said the government needs “a new institutional mechanism for integrity and accountability to eliminate scandals and restore credibility in public service.”

He said the litmus test for such reforms is the government’s treatment of whistleblowers.

“Those who blow the whistle are most often fired and become ostracized from friends and co-workers. They are accused of having a grievance with their employer or trying to profit from their accusations,” Angara said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, Cebu Rep. Gabriel Quisumbing, and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares are the bill’s co-authors.

Under the bill, whistleblowers whose exposés led to the prosecution of corrupt officials will be granted immunity from administrative, civil or criminal liability and provided some form of financial assistance.

A whistleblower recognized by the authorities shall immediately receive P100,000 to P200,000, and an additional P50,000 to P100,000 upon filing of the case in court. The state shall provide another P50,000 to P100,000 after the whistleblower completes his or her testimony in the courts.

The measure also seeks to protect whistleblowers from all forms of retaliatory actions, including preventive suspension and dismissal. It also imposes the penalty of imprisonment from six months to six years to those who prevent whistleblowers from testifying.

The bill also punishes whistleblowers for giving false and misleading testimonies with imprisonment of six to 12 years.