• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) tasked to investigate the widespread anomalous flood control projects has sought the help of Task Force Kasanag International (TFKI) led by Negrense John Chong in gathering evidences and documents for the case build up against those involved.
Chong signed a memorandum of agreement with ICI led by former Justice Andres Reyes Jr. in Metro Manila on Tuesday (Sept. 23).
He said it was Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, special adviser of the ICI, who recommended tapping them, adding that a group of lawyers affiliated with the TFKI have been given the task to do it.
“We shall not only focus on the contractors and the Department of Public Works and Highways personnel, but the mastermind. Whatever evidence we can gather will be forwarded to ICI for evaluation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang on Wednesday, Sept. 24, emphasized the need for potential witnesses involved in the flood control controversy to fully cooperate by disclosing everything they know and returning any ill-gotten wealth they may have accumulated.
This, after controversial contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya recently met with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials to discuss the possibility of becoming government witnesses.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro acknowledged that the law does not explicitly require witnesses to meet conditions such as returning stolen assets before being granted protection under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Castro, however, stressed that under Republic Act 6981, witnesses must “cooperate with respect to all reasonable requests of officers and employees of the Government who are providing protection under this Act.”
She added that the DOJ has the discretion to impose reasonable conditions for admission into the WPP.
Castro said government resources will be used to protect the potential witnesses, making their full cooperation crucial to ensuring accountability and justice.
She said they should not wait for legal action for the recovery of stolen funds, stressing that it is only proper for them to return their ill-gotten wealth to demonstrate good faith. | GB with PNA reports
