Lacson asks DoJ to remove former aide from Witness Protection Program

Cezar Mancao. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson has asked the Department of Justice to remove his former aide, Cezar Mancao, from the government’s witness protection program (WPP).

During Tuesday’s budget hearing of the Senate finance ribbon committee, Lacson said Mancao should have been removed from the WPP after the court declared him an “incredible” and “untrustworthy” witness.

“Na-declare na syang incredible, na-declare na untrustworthy but he’s still enjoying the privileges under the WPP, including the benefits, including allowances, security detail and so far and so on,” he told Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who defended the budget of the DoJ.

“If my interpretation is correct being a layman, kung meron nang desisyon [if there is already a decision] that reversed the action taken by the lower court and the DoJ, isn’t it a correct course of action to take na alisin na muna sya sa program [that he be removed from the program]?” he asked.

Lacson also complained why Mancao, who implicated him over the killings of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito, has been allowed to move around the country when there was also a pending warrant of arrest against him.

“Why is he allowed to go as far as General Santos? As far as Davao? Practically everywhere…Kung saan-saan na po nakarating [He is seen everywhere],” he further said.

Lacson said he had raised those questions because the DoJ was asking for a P174 million budget for the WPP.

“And if part of this amount is being misspent to accommodate witnesses that are no longer witnesses, then there must be some technical malversation,” he said.

But De Lima said the existing arrangement was to provide security for Mancao when he roams around.

“But I recognize the validity of the point of the good senator,” she said.

“We can consider already restricting his movement because he’s still an accused awaiting the determination by the court of his status as a state witness.

So we will do that and thank you for reminding us,” De Lima added.