Witness in Makati building row urges gov’t to reform protection program

A whistle-blower in the alleged overpricing of a Makati City Hall building has urged the government to reform its witness protection program.

Former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado on Thursday urged the government to reform the Witness Protection Program (WPP) to encourage more whistle-blowers to come out.

Testifying at the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearing on Thursday, Mercado admitted he had been losing P2 million a month after being placed under the WPP because he couldn’t attend to his business.

“Nawawalan ako ng P2 million a month simula noong August,” he said.

He said many witnesses had wanted to come out and speak but were afraid of losing their livelihood.

The allegations hurled against Vice President Jejomar Binay started in July last year after a series of corruption issues hounded the Binays, including the overpriced Makati Parking Building II.

Meanwhile, Mercado has admitted before the Senate that someone tried to bribe him in connection with his exposé against the Binays.

He, however, declined the offer.

“Hindi ko tinanggap kahit anong alok na pera ng kampo ni Vice President Binay para sa bayan,” he said.

He also refused to give the name of the person who allegedly made the bribe and the amount of the offer.

The former vice mayor also denied claims he was receiving money from various parties such as the Liberal Party.

Liberal Party, which is the political party of President Benigno Aquino III, is the rival of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Binay.

“Wala ho akong tinatanggap kahit na singko sa kaninong tao, partido o organization,” he said. RC