3 Binay accusers seek state protection

Former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, lawyer Renato Bondal and Nicolas Enciso VI, who accused Vice President Jejomar Binay (pictured) of corrupt practices in connection with the construction of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II, asked the Department of Justice on Monday that they be placed under the government’s witness protection program. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Three persons who accused Vice President Jejomar Binay of corrupt practices in connection with the construction of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday to ask that they be placed under the government’s witness protection program (WPP).

Former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, lawyer Renato Bondal and Nicolas Enciso VI arrived at the DOJ office in Manila around 11:30 a.m. and submitted application documents to the WPP office.

Citing rules of confidentiality, the WPP office did not make a statement on the applications of Mercado, Bondal and Enciso.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the investigating body, in this case the Senate blue ribbon committee, could formally request or endorse witnesses for WPP coverage. Their applications would be evaluated by the WPP.