SYMS Construction owner Sally Santos, a contractor involved in the misappropriation of flood control project funds, is to be placed under the witness protection program (WPP), said Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday.

“Ini-recommend na namin siya (Sally Santos) na ipasok sa witness protection program. May coordination na kay (Department of Justice) Secretary Boying Remulla dahil noong umalis siya, na-monitor niya ata ‘yung pagdinig, at nakakagulat din ‘yung kanyang testimonya,” Lacson said in an interview on Damdaming Bayan.

“Imagine ‘yung ₱457 million na cash noong March 24, 2025, dineliver niya kay Brice Hernandez doon sa opisina niya. Halos kalahating bilyon … tatlong beses na inamin ni Sally Santos ng SYMS ang pagdede-deliver, mayroong mga ₱165 million… tatlong beses, pinakamalaki ‘yung ₱457 (million). Ako mismo nagulat e,” he told the anchors, adding that SYMS is among the construction firms from which the notorious “BGC Boys” would borrow licenses.

Lacson said Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla himself suggested that Santos be placed under the agency’s protection.

“Kaya siguro noong narinig ni Secretary Remulla pagkatapos niyang umalis doon sa aming hearing, ay siya nga ‘yung nakapagsabi kay Senator JV (Ejercito) na kung puwede nating ipasok sa witness protection program ‘yung Sally Santos,” he said.

Santos said on Thursday that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Assistant Engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza may seek to hurt her or her family after disclosing shocking details of their dealings during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.