Press Release
October 3, 2014

MIRIAM SEEKS HEIGHTENED POLICE WITNESS PROTECTION
FOR HEIDI MENDOZA

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, member of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, on medical leave, today sent a letter directly to DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, seeking heightened VIP police protection for COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza.

She is also set to file a resolution on intensified security measures for Mendoza, when the Senate resumes work on October 7, Tuesday.

Santiago cited Republic Act No. 6981, also known as the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act," and called on both the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the subcommittee to recommend the admission of Mendoza into the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

The senator called on Senate President Franklin Drilon to approve the recommendation regarding Mendoza's admission to the WPP.

Santiago, who reportedly fought a risky battle against criminal syndicates while immigration commissioner, bristled at the newspaper reports that Mendoza feels pressured and threatened simply because she affirmed her incriminating special audit report against former Makati City mayor Elenita Binay.

"If we let this pass, no other significant witness will be willing to testify in any congressional hearing because of fear. Let's put our boots on the ground and stomp out fear sown by hooligans," she said.

Santiago's resolution called for heightened and fully-armed, 24-hour VIP police protection in favor of Mendoza, after she testified in the subcommittee hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last October 2.

Santiago's resolution followed the revelation by Mendoza in the Senate hearing that she is being threatened and pressured to desist from testifying further on the alleged corruption charges against former Makati City mayor Elenita Binay.

The senator also said that she will file the following measures in the Senate: (1) a bill to make the WPP more effective in safeguarding the lives of witnesses and whistle-blowers; and (2) a bill to protect state auditors of the Commission on Audit.

Santiago said the present WPP does not even have an organic intelligence and security force. Its security force is composed of contractual personnel and sometimes augmented by PNP and NBI personnel.

Santiago cited a United Nations Report that said the government's failure concerning the WPP's implementation is "the prime cause of the lack of witnesses and therefore convictions" in high-profile cases.

The senator also said that a separate law is needed to protect COA auditors who risk their lives investigating anomalous government transactions involving powerful politicians.

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