Surigao Del Sur Representative Congressman Johnny Pimentel proposed to Congress a bigger budget for WPP or the witness protection program in order to encourage the witness to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and to testify without fear.
In a report by RH Milky Rigonan, the said program will need support from the government, to improve financial assistance, relocation, and livelihood of those who will be under WPP.
Through the program, more witnesses will be reassured to testify according to their respective crimes with Percy Lapid’s case as an example, Pimentel noted.
Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said that he is open to putting self-confessed gunman of Percy Lapid, Joel Estorial under the said program. The budget allocated for WPP amounts to Php 238 million for 2023, which covers 512 witnesses and 48 facilities in the country.
Witnesses of UST student and hazing victim, Atio Castillo, the Maguindanao massacre, and the Duterte administration’s war on drugs are some who are part of the program.
Pimentel also expressed that some of the goals of WPP are to establish additional safehouses to accommodate witnesses and at the same time allow them to have time with their families.
