LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — The government will place under its Witness Protection Program individuals who will testify against vote-buyers, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“[Ilalagay] ka namin under the witness protection program. Ikaw ang witness ng Comelec. Ikaw ang witness ng gobyerno laban doon sa nagbo-vote buy sayo,” said Regional Election Director Maria Juana Valeza in response to a reporter’s question during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum in Legazpi City last week.
(We will place you in the witness protection program. You are a witness for the Comelec. You are the government’s witness against those who attempted to buy your vote.)
Valeza said that prosecution witnesses in vote-buying cases should receive government protection due to potential threats from moneyed politicians.
While under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice, witnesses are provided with free meals, allowance, and a secure place.
Vote-buying and vote-selling are defined as electoral offenses in Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Valeza said that government protection would ensure witnesses can attend hearings until the court’s verdict is promulgated. (PIA5/Masbate)
