Senator asks Palace to reward whistle-blowers

Senate Minority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday proposed to Malacañang to create a reward system for whistle-blowers, at least until the bill seeking to protect them is passed into law. "Whistle-blowers play a big part. Habang pinapasa pa ang Whistle-blower’s Act... bakit hindi magkaroon ng sistema ng reward para sa mga whistle-blowers? (While the Whistle-blowers Act hasn't been enacted into law, why don't we have a reward system for whistle-blowers)," Cayetano told reporters at a press briefing. He explained that if tricycle and jeepney drivers can be given subsidy without Congressional approval, then the executive branch can implement a similar program for whistle-blowers. "Marami sa whistle-blowers nawawalan ng trabaho. Kaya mabigyan ng reward sila (Many whistle-blowers lose their jobs. They should be rewarded) for their sacrifice for the sake of going against anomalies in government," he said. "The administration does not have to wait for Congress to have its own version of an incentive and disincentive system for whistle-blowers and the corrupt," Cayetano added. Cayetano likewise said the administration should do everything in its power to make witness protection a "centerpiece" program. "We cannot get to the bottom of the crimes, of the graft and corruption, and of what’s happening in the country in terms of those who are doing wrong, unless we have a strong whistle-blowers’ program and a strong witness protection program," he said. The Whistle-blower Protection Act of 2011, which seeks to provide protection, security, and benefits for whistle-blowers, is one of the priority legislations presented by the President Benigno Aquino III before the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). The measure is pending on second reading in the Senate while its counterpart in the House of Representatives has passed the committee level. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News