A lawmaker in the House of Representatives on Monday moved to amend the Witness Protection Program Act, following President Benigno Aquino III’s call encouraging witnesses to speak up on unresolved crimes and allegations of corruptions in government.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said there is a need to amend Republic Act No. 6981 or Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Act in view of the active roles of Senate and Lower Chamber in the investigation of malfeasance, or misfeasance of government officials.
“It is necessary that the Senate and the House of Representatives have their own separate Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program for the resource person and/or witness appearing before any of its committees,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez filed House Bill 1979 seeking to amend Section 4 of the act that would allow the Senate or the Lower House to request necessary assistance from any department, bureau, office or any executive agency to assist with the program’s implementation.
With or without assistance from other government agencies, the amendment ensures that both houses of congress shall implement the program especially when the safety of the witness might be jeopardized with the involvment of public officials on the case.
The amendment also seeks for the free medical treatment, hospitalization, and medicines for any injury or illness incurred or suffered because of witness duty or while in the safehouse in any private hospital, clinic, or such institution at the expense of the program.
The veteran lawmaker also wanted to assure that “the witness’ minor or dependent children shall be entitled to free education, from primary to college level in any state, or private school, college or university as long as the witnesses are qualified” that will be determined by the justice department. (Rio Rose Ribaya), Manila Bulletin
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
