The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday clarified that contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, as well as other Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials named “protected witnesses,” are only protected from harm and not from liability.
In a statement, the Justice Department noted that said individuals are “presently under provisional acceptance into the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPP).”
“This means that, for the duration of this provisional period, they are considered Protected Witnesses for purposes of protection,” the DOJ explained.
“At present, the assistance extended to them is limited to security and escort,” it added.
Among the DPWH officials identified as protected witnesses were former undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara, and assistant engineers Brice Ericson Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.
