Sotto Withholds Signature on Witness Protection Request for Flood Control Project witnesses
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Tito Sotto on Wednesday, September 10, declined to sign a request from Senator Rodante marcoleta to place contractors Sarah and curlee Discaya under the Department of Justice (DOJ) Witness Protection Program. Marcoleta, formerly the chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, had addressed the request to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, arguing the Discayas “testified and will continue to testify with more relevant details” regarding the committee’s examination into alleged anomalies in government flood control projects.
the letter requested DOJ protection for the Discayas,citing ”the necessity of the spouses Discayas’ testimony and the reported threats to their and their family’s personal safety and security,” and asserting full compliance with legal requirements for witness protection in legislative investigations. Sotto has not yet publicly explained his decision.
Marcoleta was replaced as blue ribbon committee chair by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Monday, September 8, following a recent Senate leadership change. The Discaya couple testified before the Senate on Monday,naming politicians,engineers,and brokers they allege demanded commissions from their projects.
Justice Secretary Remulla stated on Monday that the Discayas must return funds obtained through perhaps fraudulent and substandard flood control projects before being considered for immunity. State witness qualification requires that the individual not be the most culpable party in the alleged crime-a condition not met by Janet Lim Napoles in the pork barrel scam case. The court ultimately decides who qualifies as a state witness based on a motion from the prosecution, typically filed by the Ombudsman or, if deputized, the DOJ.
