De Lima defends witness program, says Mancao desperate

MANILA, Philippines - Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday shielded the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Witness Protection Program from a corruption insinuation made by former police officer Cezar Mancao II, who was dropped from WPP coverage after escaping from detention at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last week.

“I’m the chief implementor of the WPP and I have full faith in the current leadership of the program director Martin Meez,” she told reporters.

De Lima downplayed Mancao’s claims that he has information about corruption in the program and how witnesses under its protection are being treated.

“I stand by the integrity of the program and director. He’s clean and honest,” De Lima stressed.

She believes Mancao resorted to such insinuation out of desperation to discredit the WPP.

“How could you destroy the program that protected you? Where is your sense of responsibility? Makonsensya ka naman (May your conscience bother you), Mr. Mancao,” a visibly angry De Lima said.

She believes Mancao, who claimed the WPP has “a lot of money,” was frustrated since he had many demands that were not granted by Meez.

Among those were his requests to see a relative who is a doctor and to go to Compostela Valley.

The DOJ chief said the program director did not allow him to leave the NBI because of the ruling of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) dismissing the bid to discharge him as an accused.

“In other words, before he could be allowed to leave, there should be court approval because he was no longer in the safehouse of the WPP and was put under jurisdiction of the RTC,” she explained.

As for Mancao’s request to see his doctor, the WPP opted to just allow the latter to visit him in the NBI or for him to be checked by the bureau’s doctors.

“I don’t think it was a serious ailment anyway,” De Lima said.

While De Lima admitted that there have been some “problematic and foolhardy” witnesses handled by the program – including slain witness Alfred Mendiola in the Dominguez carjacking cases – she said most witnesses enjoy protection and privileges provided to them.

“If only we could present to you our witnesses and bring you to our safehouses so you could see how well the program is being run, but that cannot be done because there is confidentiality rule,” she said.

She stressed that there have been reforms in the WPP, including transparency in the handling of funds. Previously, the entire funding of the program was confidential. But now, a certain portion of the funds has been converted into regular funds and are subjected to audit.

“Even if it remains confidential, the funding is being audited since there is regular submission of supporting documents to the COA (Commission on Audit),” she explained.

De Lima also belied Mancao’s claim that he was not allowed to speak during congressional hearings on her confirmation.

“There is no truth to that. No such confirmation hearing has yet been held. The WPP also categorically denies that Mr. Mancao was not allowed to speak during the budget hearings of the DOJ. In any case, Mancao again forgot that detention prisoners do not have unbridled access to the public,” she explained.

Present proof

She challenged Mancao to surface and present proofs of his allegations if he really has any.

She said the NBI is continuing its intensive manhunt operations while investigating how he was able to escape from its supposedly highly secured headquarters in Taft Avenue, Manila last May 2.

The DOJ chief said the investigation would also touch on other possible motives of the escape and who could have aided and have been coddling him.

“He’s very mobile so we don’t think he’s alone. Those coddling him could be liable for obstruction of justice,” she warned.

De Lima, however, hopes Mancao escaped from NBI only because of his frustration with his case, and not over some other agenda.

“I hope there’s no other agenda like to sabotage the DOJ or NBI or possibly election-related since we’re in election period,” she added.

Palace won’t probe corruption story

Meanwhile, Malacañang rejected a proposal from Mancao to investigate alleged corruption in the WPP, saying its budget has in fact been doubled.

“What have we heard? We have only heard motherhood statements. So does he have any details? Does he have any proof? Does he have any evidence? Then let us know,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said, urging Mancao to surrender to authorities.

“And, if he really wants to help the program, then he must turn himself in and let us know. We will investigate,” said Lacierda.

He clarified that the government is not being “soft” on Mancao and a nationwide manhunt is now on for his recapture.  “We cannot comment on ongoing operations. We are going after him. We are not being soft on him. That’s why there is a manhunt going on after him,” said Lacierda.

As to the annual budget of the WPP, Lacierda said “we have increased the budget of the Witness Protection Program, I think, last year. “We’ll know, for this year, how much will be the budget for next year. We have not received any comments.”

Former senator Jamby Madrigal, an ally of Mancao’s nemesis Sen. Panfilo Lacson, believes that Lacson cannot do what Mancao claimed.

Mancao alleged that an outgoing senator wants him dead.

“Mancao only made that accusation because he knew very well that his world is getting smaller each day, that he has to pay for the crimes he committed in the past, that is why he does not want to be transferred to the Manila City Jail,” she said.

She earlier condemned Mancao’s escape from NBI custody, saying it would be best to surrender. – With Delon Porcalla