DOJ: Inmate Jaybee Sebastian not under Witness Protection Program 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified on Thursday that inmate Jaybee Sebastian has not secured state protection in exchange for his testimony linking Senator Leila De Lima to the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary.

Citing DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said in a statement that Sebastian "has not, we repeat, has not been admitted to the Witness Protection Program."

It was Sebastian's lawyer Eduardo Arriba who claimed in a newspaper report that the inmate as well as his family are now under the WPP.

Aguirre had said Sebastian's testimony before the House investigation on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the NBP during De Lima's term as justice chief was peppered with truth and lies, making him an unlikely candidate for WPP coverage.

For instance, the Justice Secretary said it was impossible for Sebastian not to recognize Ronnie Dayan, who served as De Lima's former driver, bodyguard and alleged bagman, for five years that she was with the DOJ.

Sebastian also said he had no personal knowledge about the alleged special relationship between De Lima and Dayan as claimed by her former security aide, Joenel Sanchez.

"Hindi kapanipaniwala ang kanyang mga sagot kaya hindi ko siya inofferan ng witness protection," Aguirre told reporters on Wednesday.

Sebastian admitted to giving a total of P10 million in drug money to De Lima, which allegedly went to her senatorial campaign kitty.

He also denied De Lima's claim he was a government asset so he can squeal on the illegal activities of his fellow high profile inmates.

De Lima, in response, said Sebastian was pressured by the government to pin her down.

Only 11 inmates of the New Bilibid Prison have been placed under WPP, including Herbert Colanggo, Peter Co, Vicente Sy, Hans Tan and Rodolfo Magleo.

All of them testified before the recently concluded inquiry by the House justice committee, which is due to present to the plenary its findings next week. — VVP, GMA News