DOJ: More DPWH execs applied as state witnesses in flood control probe

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday that more government officials have applied as state witnesses in the government’s ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. 

“Well, meron mga nadagdag, kinokonsider namin ‘yan, tinitignan namin kung saan sila maaaring mag-state witness. Kasi ang posisyon nga ng department is hindi po tayo pwede magbigay ng tinatawag natin na blanket immunity, na ang isang salaysay ay patungkol sa immunity or admission into the program for all the cases that will be filed,” said Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon in a press briefing. 

(Well, there are [more applicants], we are considering them, we are looking into which [cases] they may be able to be a state witnesses for. Because the position of the department is that we cannot give what we call blanket immunity, where one testimony pertains to immunity or admission into the program for all the cases that will be filed.) 

Fadullon did not disclose the names of the applicants, but he said that they are from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

“Yeah, I would say, safe to say that they are from the DPWH,” he said. 

Further, the DOJ official said that discussions between the witnesses and prosecutors are ongoing to determine if their statements can be used in the cases to be filed against those involved in the mess.

“Patuloy yung ating ginagawang pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga testigo…As far as other witnesses, they continue to be having discussions with our prosecutors, their statements are being evaluated to determine whether it can be of use of any of the cases that will be filed,” said Fadullon. 

(Our coordination with our witnesses continues... As far as other witnesses, they continue to be having discussions with our prosecutors, their statements are being evaluated to determine whether they can be of use in any of the cases that will be filed.) 

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said that former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez is no longer insisting on becoming a state witness as he is considered a “cooperative witness.” 

The Ombudsman also stressed earlier that contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Sarah Discaya have zero chance of being state witnesses for the flood control cases because of their deep involvement in the anomalies. —RF, GMA Integrated News