Malacañang echoed the stance of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla that the government contractor Sarah and Curlee Discaya couple must first return of public funds they allegedly get from the government projects before their application to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) can be considered.
During the press conference, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said that witnesses asking for government protection should also be willing to help the government recover what has been lost.
“Ang mga witness na nagnanais ng proteksyon mula sa gobyerno ay humihingi ng tulong sa gobyerno. Hindi po ba dapat din na sila ay magbalik sa gobyerno habang sila ay pinoproteksyonan? Gagastosan sila ng gobyerno, so kailangan din po na sila ay tumulong sa gobyerno” she said.
Castro cited Republic Act 6981, Section 5, which grants the Department of Justice (DOJ) authority to impose “reasonable requirements” before admitting a witness into the WPP.
“Totoo naman na hindi categorically nakasaad na dapat na may iba pang mga requirements bago masubject or mabigyan ng benepisyo ang isang witness under the Witness Protection Program,” Castro said.
"Pero isinasaad din po sa RA 6981, Section 5, Paragraph E. And I quote, to cooperate with respect to a reasonable request of officers and employees of the government who are providing protection under this act," she added.
She emphasized that such cooperation could include full disclosure of liabilities and the return of stolen funds to demonstrate good faith.
Castro pointed out that if the Discayas themselves admit to having stolen from the public coffers, it would be only right for them to return the money as a sign of good faith, rather than waiting for the government to file charges against them.
“Kailangan nilang magsalita ng buong katotohanan...Kapag sinabi nilang tell all, ibig sabihin pati yung liabilities nila ay dapat na maisiwalat,” Castro stated. “At kapag may pag-amin na sa kanilang maisiwalat na kanilang di umanong pagnanakaw, sa kaban ng bayan, hindi po ba nararapat din na isoli nila ito upang makita ang kanilang good faith instead na hintayin pa na ang gobyerno ang magsampa ng kaso sa kanila?"
“Bakit pa natin hihintayin na ang gobyerno ay magsampa ng kaso para mabawi ang mga nanakaw nila? Kung sila naman mismo ang umaamin na sila ay may nanakaw sa gobyerno,” Castro added.
The statement came a day after a heated exchange between the DOJ Sec. Remulla and Senator Rodante Marcoleta during the September 23 hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the alleged flood control fund anomaly, where the possible admission of the Discaya couple into the WPP was deliberated.
