DOJ mulls placing Binay accusers under witness protection program
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Wednesday said they will give great weight on a recommendation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee if it will push for putting the witnesses against Vice President Jejomar Binay under its Witness Protection Program (WPP).
“That should be given great weight, De Lima told reporters in a chance interview.
She said they have yet to receive a formal request from the Senate to place former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, lawyer Renato Bondal and Nicholas Enciso VI under the WPP.
“We will have to wait for a formal request for application and that will undergo evaluation. That is the SOP (standard operating procedure). We will determine how valuable their testimony is,” she added.
The three accused Binay of receiving kickbacks from the allegedly overpriced P2.7-billion parking complex.
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