Ombud execs laud passage of bill about informers | Inquirer News

Ombud execs laud passage of bill about informers

/ 07:09 AM March 23, 2012

OFFICIALS of the Ombudsman-Visayas and a businessman who exposed the overpriced purchase of the lampposts in Cebu were elated over the passage of House Bill 5717 or the Whistleblower Protection and Rewards Act.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the bill if signed into law will encourage more people to report to them acts of graft and corruption in the government.

“I favor that bill. If people won’t be protected they will not report anomalies to us. That is very good news. We really need to empower the people so that they too, will participate in government and societal affairs,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said their office will be ready to provide protection to whistleblowers in Central Visayas.

FEATURED STORIES

“We need the public in this fight against corruption. They know what is going on outside, compared to us who are confined in our offices,” Apostol said.

Under the bill, whistleblowers will now be placed under a special program under the Office of the Ombudsman that will ensure them protection, security, and benefits.

Article continues after this advertisement

Asst. Regional Prosecutor Llena Ipong-Avila, who heads the Witness Protection Program (WPP)of the Department of Justice (DOJ), said the bill will strengthen the country’s justice system.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I think we’re expecting more clients in the future with the approval of that bill,” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Avila said the program can protect whistleblowers like Bernard Liu, who was murdered for testifying in a 2001 congressional hearing on a drug syndicate.

Crisologo Saavedra, who spearheaded the expose on the overpriced lamppost purchases and the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center, said this would encourage Cebuanos to be pro-active in the war against corruption. /by Correspondent Patricia Andrea Pateña

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS:

No tags found for this post.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.