Senate President Vicente Sotto III has welcomed President Duterte's reward offer for those who will report anomalies in any government projects and practices.
While still uncertain if this would be effective in addressing corruption in the bureaucracy, Sotto believed Duterte's "experiment" should be given a chance.
"I would not be able to venture a guess kung effective 'yan or hindi effective 'yan (if this is effective or not). Ngayon pa lang 'yan (It's the first time that the government will do it for corruption), so perhaps we can even term it as an experiment of the President. Subukan natin (Let's try it)," he said in an online interview Wednesday.
Citing his experience in anti-drug law enforcement, however, Sotto said he thinks that the cash reward will encourage the public to report their knowledge to authorities.
"Sa PDEA noong araw -- I don’t know about lately -- very effective 'yon sapagkat pagka may reward, mas ginaganahan, mas lumalakas ang loob noong gustong magsuplong (In the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency -- I don't know about lately -- it was very effective because if there was a reward, people are encouraged to report to authorities). May mga gustong magsuplong pero natatakot, pero kung may reward, lumalakas ang loob (Many wanted to report people involved in the drug trade because they were afraid, but if there was a reward, they would become braver). Nakita ko 'yon noong araw (I saw that before)," said Sotto, who formerly led the Dangerous Drug Board.
In his public address Tuesday night, Duterte said he will offer a cash incentive of at least P50,000 to P100,000 to any person who will provide information about irregularities in government projects and other conspiracies to commit an illegal act.
He also vowed to ensure the protection of the tipsters.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra later clarified that only information that will result in the successful prosecution of corruption cases will be rewarded.
Duterte, earlier, expressed his frustration in solving rampant corruption in the government.