Bill seeking transfer of WPP opposed

MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer believes transferring the Witness Protection Program (WPP) to the courts would “immensely weaken” the investigative powers of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Abraham Espejo has joined mounting opposition to House of Representatives Bill 4583 authored by Deputy Speaker Sergio Apostol.

“If the WPP is taken out of DOJ’s supervision, the full cooperation of citizenry to our government investigators and authorities will be hardly secured for fear of reprisal and grave threat to their life, liberty or property,” he said.

Espejo said the WPP should be enhanced instead of being transferred to regular courts as it bolsters the justice department’s investigative powers to swiftly act on grave cases through the cooperation of a vital witness or witnesses with personal knowledge of the commission of the crime in exchange for guaranteed immunity under the law.

“In granting immunity, a distinction should be made – either the same is granted before and during the investigation and case buildup or after filing the Information in court,” he said.

“If the immunity is granted before the filing of the case, it is the sole prerogative of the DOJ who will be admitted into the program after the required evaluation and determination of the qualifications of the vital witness.

“However, if the case has already been filed in court, the grant of immunity and admission into the program is only recommendatory on the part of the government prosecutors, which is subject to the approval of the court where the case was filed.” 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has opposed HB 4583 seeking to amend RA 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.

Apostol said the transfer of WPP from the DOJ is necessary to “shield the program from possible corrosive politics.”

However, De Lima said the proposal was hinged on a wrong premise and is “a sweeping and reckless accusation.”