An opposition lawmaker on Monday called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to fast-track the passage of the pending twin-bills that aim to encourage whistleblowers and protect them as witnesses in judicial proceedings.
Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate appealed to the chamber to prioritize the passage of House Bills 4387 and 4388 to encourage more witnesses and whistleblowers to come forward to expose crime and corruption.
“It is sad that one of the witnesses on the ‘GCTA scam’ got cold feet and backed out, while another was killed, but with the enactment of HB 4387 and 4388, there would be a whole new mechanism for their safety among others,” Zarate said.
HB 4387 calls for the establishment of a monetary reward system for whistleblowers; protect informants against reprisals, and civil or criminal liability when they make public interest disclosures; and secure the safety of whistleblowers and their family.
The bill also ensures public disclosures are made to the proper public authorities, inappropriate publication of unsubstantiated disclosures does not happen, and proper records on disclosures are kept and safeguarded.
On the other hand, HB 4388 proposes, among others, the creation of a witness protection bureau an independent and autonomous body attached to the Department of Justice.
Zarate, in his 4388, seeks a “separate witness protection program for witnesses of the legislative branch, allow the change of identity of a witness, and secure housing facility and relocation for the witness. The bill further seeks to perpetuate testimonies and impose a higher penalty for influencing or harassing a witness.”
“These measures will protect whistleblowers like Immigration Officer Allison “Alex” Chiong, who received death threats after he exposed that Chinese nationals are allegedly paying immigration officers to have a smooth entry in the Philippines,” Zarate said.
The bill’s enactment, according to Zarate, “will also encourage other whistleblowers to come out and expose other similar cases of graft and corruption and other crimes and offenses committed especially by government officials and employees.”
“If enacted the bills would also prevent double standards and special treatment as well as penalized false witnesses and whistleblowers,” Zarate said.