Solons want witness protection program for House, Senate

Two lawmakers are pushing for a separate Senate and the House of Representatives witness protection program for the resource persons and witnesses in congressional investigations. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez filed on Monday House Bill 1979 seeking to amend Republic Act 6981 or the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act." The proposed law will protect witnesses who aid the Senate and House in their investigation of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of government officials. Under the present law, only the Department of Justice has a witness protection program. Witnesses in legislative investigations may only be admitted into the program upon the recommendation of the committees where their testimonies are needed. Under the proposed measure, the Senate and House shall provide for a separate witness protection program. The Senate or the House shall have the primary jurisdiction in the administration and implementation of the program. “Congress may request the necessary assistance from any department, bureau, office or any other executive agency to assist with the implementation of the program," the bill read. It also said the chambers shall implement the program independent from any other department, bureau, office or executive agency “when it is apparent that the investigation might prejudiced or when the safety of the witness might be jeopardized specially when public officials are involved." The lawmakers also want the witnesses to be provided with free medical treatment, hospitalization, and medicines for any injury or illness they suffer not only while performing their witness duties but even while they are in the safehouse. At present, the Senate is providing security to NBN-ZTE whistleblower Jun Lozada, among other witnesses. –VVP, GMANews.TV