The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to make its Witness Protection Program (WPP) as an attached agency not just a mere program of the department.
“It’s not even part as a regular attached agency, and just a program ng ating departamiento (of our department)," said DOJ Undersecretry Raul T. Vasquez during an interview on Teleradyo.
The DOJ's WPP was set up under Republic Act No. 6981, the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, which seeks "to encourage a person who has witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of a crime to testify before a court or quasi-judicial body, or before an investigating authority, by protecting him from reprisals and from economic dislocation."
Qualified to be admitted into the WPP are:
-- Any person who has knowledge of or information on the commission of a crime and has testified or is testifying or is willing to testify.
-- A witness in a congressional investigation, upon the recommendation of the legislative committee where his testimony is needed and with the approval of the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be.
-- A witness who participated in the commission of a crime and who desires to be a State witness.
-- An accused who is discharged from an information or criminal complaint by the court in order that he may be a State witness.
Undersecretary Vasquez said “nakita namin ‘yung importansya at ‘yung naitulong nito sa administration of justice at tsaka sa criminal investigation and prosecution (we saw its importance and help it provides in the administration of justice and in criminal investigation and prosecution).”
He said those seeking protection under WPP may approach the DOJ which will conduct an assessment.
“Hindi ho lahat ng witnesses pwede pumasok d’yan (Not all witnesses can enter the program),” he reminded.
He lamented that “limitado lang ang budget ng programa (the program has a limited budget).”