De Lima defends decision to admit Tuason as provisional witness

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday called as a “tactical decision’ admitting Ruby Tuason into the government’s Witness Protection Program on provisional coverage.

De Lima said Tuason’s testimony is important because she has a “direct personal knowledge about the delivery and receipt of the supposed kickbacks” on the pork barrel scam.

Ruby Tuason. Photo by INQUIRER.net

“Her testimony is valuable especially when added to the evidence of the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation because it completes the entire picture,” De Lima told reporters.

Every time the DOJ admits anybody to turn state witness, it is always in furtherance of successful prosecution, she said.

Tuason still does not enjoy full coverage under the WPP because Office of the Ombudsman has yet to evaluate her testimony.

De Lima explained in the pork barrel issue, the DoJ and NBI is merely an investigating body and the Office of the Ombudsman will be the one in charge in the prosecution of officials involved.

Tuason is facing plunder complaint on the Malampaya fund scam for receiving over P200 million kickbacks for still unknown principal.

De Lima has yet to explain what will happen to the plunder case with Tuason testifying on the pork barrel controversy.

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